The Lenten Walk

Day 100: April 16, 2006 5:48 p.m. Church Office

2006-04-18T06:22:00.000-07:00

Total miles walked: 1,000

Like a surly grizzly bear awakened from his winter hibernation, I was roused from my lengthy Easter Sunday nap by the ringing of the phone. Gratefully, it was a wrong number. I just wanted to post one last entry to wrap up all the things that we have spoken of for 100 days.

I walked my 1,000th mile yesterday. There was very little pomp and circumstance. I am immensely grateful for the six friends who walked that last mile with me. The last mile was a couple of laps around the Path. We stopped at every scene and gave thanks for every actor/actress and every person who walked The Path. The second Lap was done in silence. It was my way of saying Thanks to God.

My walking buddy made over 500 miles with me. He was there Saturday. God made every mile. He is always there, whether I choose to listen or not is another issue.

The numbers from Path to the Cross are immensely gratifying. There were 150 actors/actresses and 150 other volunteers last week. If you count those who helped with workdays etc. the number grows even more. Over 2,700 people made the walk over three days. I am grateful for every lap around the Path.

Over 2,400 people attended five services here Sunday morning. That exceeds our previous high by more than 350 people. More than that, we were able to worship the God of the universe.

This has been a most rewarding experience. There are some things I know and some I don’t. Will we do Path to the Cross again next year? I think so. Will I walk 1,000 miles again? I think not. Where is the creativity in that? I think I will do something even more creative and demanding next year. I will need the greater focus because people will come in greater numbers and we must be prepared. Will I ever blog again? I know so. The blog will reappear in a few days in a new spot, with a new name, and a new look, but with the same kind of stuff. I will let you know when.
For those who read my blogs, who prayed for me, who walked with me, who served with me, who believed in this vision….I say Thanks!!! It is the most fun I have ever had at church. – Ed

Day 98: April 14, 2006 8:59 a.m. Church Office

2006-04-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

Total miles walked so far: 990

I could not wait to get to my computer and give you another update. Last night was better than the first night. We had 817 people come through on Thursday night. That was a great improvement over the 637 from the night before. The greatest change occurred last night about 7:00 p.m. Before that point, the number of guests to church members was about 3 to 1 members to visitors. After 7:00 p.m. that number shifted to 3 to 1 visitors to members. I was at the front of the line and got a chance to personally greet every group. In the last few groups I asked every visitor how they heard about Path to the Cross. The responses were gratifying.

Some people came because of postcards. Other people came because of newspaper articles. Several people received e-vites from church members. Most people came because of face to face personal invitations. Many actually came with members. Even with all the technology available to us and all of the media outlets at our disposal, nothing beats a personal invitation. Thank you for all that you did to invite your friends and neighbors.

Let me give you a real quick update on the 1,000 mile walk. I am only ten miles away. I am going to walk for a little over an hour at mid day which will get me up to 995. Tomorrow morning I am going to walk with my regular Saturday morning crew. Mark told me today that he would kill me if I walked my 1,000th mile without him. If you want to walk with me on my 1,000 mile I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN ME!! I will meet you at the Path at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow. We will stop at every scene and give thanks to God for every actor/actress and every volunteer. We will stop at the tomb and pray for the Sunrise Service. The 1,000 mile walk will end at the foot of the cross on 290. We will pray for our Easter Sunday services and our follow up visits for all of the people who came to The Path.

Thank you for all of your prayers and support. I could have never made it without you.

p.s. If any one has time available, let’s say 9:00 p.m. tonight. I understand there will be a huge clean up party at the church. You wouldn’t want to miss that would you?

Day 97: April 13, 2006 7:53 a.m. Church Office

2006-04-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

Total miles walked so far: 981

What a great day yesterday was! Click here to see pictures of The Path to the Cross on our new church website. What a great morning this has been already!! I just read through every comment card. I am so encouraged by all that was shared. There are people who have requested visits and more information. Deacons and staff are making visits next Tuesday. Getting back with people quickly is so important. I can’t wait to see who comes tonight. So many people said they were going back home to invite their neighbors and friends to come. 5:10 p.m. [starting time for the first worship experience] cannot come quickly enough for me.

Well, for those of you who are bottom line kinds of people, are you ready for the bottom line? We had 637 guests who comprised 24 groups that went through the total experience in 4 hours and 10 minutes. We had 150 actors in costumes. We had hosts and hostesses and helpers. We had prayer warriors, and encouragers, and logistical people, and worship leaders, and interactive/background leaders, and greeters and ushers, and security and police, and hospitality people, and sound people, and robe and make up people, and clean up crews, and set up crews, and golf cart drivers and wheelchair pushers so those who could not comfortably walk could go, and parking assistants, and snack and food preparers, and child care workers, and children’s workers, and people who put up lights, and people who helped with anything else that needed to be done.

I don’t know what was more gratifying; seeing the faces of the guests as they walked The Path and saw the story unfold before their eyes or watching the actors and actresses and volunteers as they poured their soul into everything they did. This church has endeared itself to me and my family in so many ways in recent days. Your outpouring of love to my wife in recent days has been beyond gratifying. The love that you poured out to this community last night was overwhelming. Your commitment to hard work and excellence and compassionately communicating the story of Christ is compelling. Thank you.

I thought that last night would be a little like an opening night. I was worried that there would be major issues that needed to be resolved. After sleeping on it last night, there are only two little issues to be fixed. The irony is this: there was nothing wrong in what we did, the crowds just overwhelmed us a time or two in a spot or two.

Why make any adjustments at all? Because people will come tonight. I truly believe that word of mouth will spread and more will come tonight than we had come last night. We must be ready.

My prayer for you ALL is this: I pray that God will renew your strength; that you will run and not be weary, that you will walk and not faint. I pray that God will refurnish you with hidden reservoirs of energy and strength and that you will be refreshed. I watched actors weep for 4 hours. I watched Jesus die on a cross 24 times. I watched children dance and sing past their bed times. I went home worried about you. I prayed for you. God reassured me that He would be your energy; that He would be your strength; that He would be your vision.

That is my prayer for you all! God bless you. I love you all. I truly do. You have captured my heart.

Day 96: April 12, 2006 7:29 a.m. Church Office

2006-04-12T06:28:00.000-07:00

Total miles walked so far: 968

Over 14 weeks ago, 100 days ago to be exact, I was sitting in my home, trying to figure out my spring preaching schedule. Actually, it was Monday, January 2nd. Marion handed me a book entitled A LONG OBEDIENCE IN THE SAME DIRECTION by Eugene Peterson. I had no idea how it would change my life. Within days ideas began to come into focus. The staff here had a lot to do with that creative process. A 1,000 mile walk during Lent [46 days] became a more reasonable 1,000 mile walk for 100 days. The ideas of Daily Devotionals and Blogs began to flesh everything out. The Path to the Cross became the glue that held everything together.

Is it too early to declare this process a success? The weather men on 4 local stations and three national stations say there is no rain in sight, but you know what they say about Texas weather: ‘If you don’t like the weather, wait an hour. It will change.’ I have walked 968 miles and plan on walking more in a few minutes. It would take a huge surprise or tragedy to keep from the goal at this point. The Path to the Cross is less than 10 hours away and I only have six items on my To Do List. I hope to have them done by noon.

Is it too early to declare all of this a success or not? The answer is easy: Yes and No.

The walk has changed me. I was tired and discouraged on New Year’s Day/ I had lost some of my creative energy and I was nearing burn out. I have never felt more energized or excited or creative as I do now. You have made those comments to me. You have spoken of sermons with more focus and the fact that I carry myself better. The destination is not the joy of the walk, it is the journey. Will I continue the walk? I will walk at least 5 miles a day. I fully intend on keeping my morning walk up. Next fall I will begin walking with members again in an intentional way. There were some this time where we just were not able to work schedules out. I look forward to that again, after a little break.

The daily devotions have changed us all. Many of you have spoken of the joy of renewing your quiet time. Some of you have even told me of marital or family renewal that has occurred because of your devotions. It has become a wonderful time to get to know our staff better. We will not continue them for now, but we will renew them at Advent before Christmas and Easter next year. By the way, I need feedback on the Blogs. Should I continue after this or not?

The Path has been a joy. It has been fun to watch our property become as beautiful as a park and not just ‘woods’. It has rekindled our vision of what will be. I can not count the number of times I have been asked, while working on The Path: ‘Where will the new worship center be?’ This effort has united us. New relationships have been formed. Sunday school classes have taken on huge responsibilities and bonded with other classes. I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that the spirit at this church is as good or better than it has ever been. We are one.

In some ways, all of his could end right now and I would be happy at all that has been accomplished. But that is not going to happen. This is not a success yet. The people have not come to hear the good news yet. God has done all of this to help us become clean vessels. We will tell the gospel story tonight. God has been preparing our hearts so He can speak to others hearts. The people will come tonight. They will come by ones and twos. They will come as couples and families and they will come alone. They will come by the dozens and they will come by the scores. They will come and we will be ready. We will ‘Lift Jesus Up’ tonight and lives will be changed.

A middle school boy came up to me and wished me ‘good luck’ on the Path. He said: ‘My dad says, if one person is saved, it will all be worth it.’

He was right.

Here is a note from one of our church members who gave us permission to use it in a blog:

I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say “Thanks”. Please pass this same thanks to all of the JVBC staff. Our family is very excited about tomorrow night, and what God is going to do in peoples’ lives. However, on a somewhat selfish note, I am also excited about what HE is going to do in my own family’s lives. Theresa, my kids and I have gotten down on our knees before bedtime every night for several months now, praying about The Path, and asking God to please help us do our scene well, to not mess up, to sing on pitch (which is impossible for me!), and to use us to do His work so those that don’t know Him may come to understand His love, and to accept Jesus as their Savior.

Jack and Shelbi are so excited! Jack really believes that he has a very important part in The Path tomorrow night, holding that goat. And Shelbi, she believes her role as a dancer is a divine directive from God Himself! They are so funny, yet so innocent and willing to listen to what God is saying. Thus the reason for my excitement – to see God work in my own family is truly a blessing and something I am very thankful to you and the staff for giving us this opportunity. My children will never forget this experience, the time spent with Mom and Dad, along with the rest of our church, performing scenes from Jesus’ life. Wow, how neat is that? And the influence you and the other adults in our church have on my kids is so important, as they see the commitment to serving God and to winning souls through Jesus Christ.

While you never get enough thanks, and knowing you don’t do what you do for praise, I just wanted to say Thank You! Thank You to JVBC for allowing me and my family to be a part of such a special event; an event that is going to change lives!

We are truly in the people saving business, and tomorrow night, through GRACE (God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense), people are going to be saved!

Thanks again, and we love you.

Alan

Day 94: April 10, 2006 8:31 a.m. Church Office

2006-04-10T06:54:00.000-07:00

Total miles walked so far: 947

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday. We had a dress rehearsal on the Path to the Cross. It is one thing to rehearse, it is another to put on costumes and have people walk though The Path. Last night members from 1st Met came through. Our members really understood that this needed to be a time of worship, and not just a rehearsal. I led of small group of people. After the garden of Gethsemane scene, one of the women in our group began to weep…openly.

I realized that I had been too close to the project to understand the power of what The Path could become. The power comes from the script. Someone asked me if I wrote the script. Actually, God wrote the script. Every word that actors say on The Path is a direct scriptural quote. There is power in words. There is amazing power in the word of God. There is salvation power in The Word of God.

In the beginning was The Word. The reference is not to scripture, but to Jesus Christ. He who knew me before I was conceived… He who wonderfully knit me together in my mother’s womb….He who loved me before I knew what love was….He who sought me out and found me before I even realized I needed Him…He is Jesus. This is the One we worship. This is the One we serve.

My request is simple. I would like for our church to have a single mind and single purpose in our prayers this week. I remember the text in John 12:32. Jesus says: And I, if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto Me. My prayer is this: That we lift Jesus up. If we do this, He will draw people unto Himself.

Marion asked me last night how rehearsal went. I simply said; ‘People wept. Marion, they wept openly and publicly. They wept.’ If I were to ask them why they wept, they might say: ‘When you see what Jesus did for you, how can you not weep’?

Please pray that we lift Jesus up this week.

Day 91: April 7, 2006

2006-04-07T06:24:00.000-07:00

Professor Dora Nof has hypothesized that Jesus did not walk on water, he walked on ice on the Sea of Galilee. More specifically, the hypothesis is that Jesus walked on the ice that formed on the salt springs at the perimeter of the Sea of Galilee. As I watched this news special I struggled at what I saw. I was bothered by the hypothesis, but I was more troubled at the hate mail that cam from Christians.

This is not Nof’s first foray into religious controversy. Ten years ago he surmised the parting of the Red Sea came from strong winds and not from the rod that Moses held in his hand. I had a philosophy professor in Seminary who held a similar view. His theory of miracles was this: miracles were God initiated, but could not violate natural law. He surmised further, that every miracle has a natural explanation. One illustration of that theory is; the water turning to blood was actually a dramatic increase in red algae which gave the appearance and smell of blood.

I have two problems with these explanations. The first is this: the scriptures give details which seek to preemptively eliminate such theories. In the parting of the Red Sea it is made clear that the Israelites crossed over on dry ground. If strong winds, a hurricane, an earthquake, or even a tsunami had caused the sea to split, none of these could have caused the ground to be dry. Under those conditions, the Israelites would have bogged down. The second issue I have is this: Who said God cannot violate a natural law? Why must every miracle have a ‘natural explanation’?

My definition of a miracle is simple. A miracle is God’s eternal divinity choosing to alter an event in our temporal natural decaying chaotic world. It is the divine interrupting the temporal. It is at God’s initiative and requires no natural explanation.

Which leads us to Easter: What do you do with a bodily resurrection? Can that be easily explained? Is that the ‘expansion of natural law’? What about the second coming? I know some scientists might state that Jesus was just in a coma. Maybe that is why the gospels put the part in about the sword in the side. But even of you can explain away the first resurrection, what then do you do with the second? Our hope is in a bodily resurrection. How do you explain that miracle?

The question is so simple. Do we serve the Lord God who spoke all that we know into existence or not? If God spoke and light appeared, then making an axe head float is a third grade science project. Either God is who He says He is or He is not. If He is who He says He is, then walking on water was a walk in the park.

Why did professor Nof release this news right before Easter? He understands that timing is everything in getting media coverage and nothing sells like controversy. He also released it right before Easter, because of the nature of what Easter is. Easter is about the ultimate miracle, the bodily resurrection of a dead man. If that miracle never occurred then you and I have no hope.

Either God is who He says He is or He is not. Professor Nof has cast his lot. We must cast ours as well. I have bet my life on the man who walks on water.

Day 90: April 6, 2006

2006-04-06T06:21:00.000-07:00

They call it ‘comfort food’. People bring food after funerals. It is one of our better traditions as Christians. It is has been said about Baptists: ‘Where two or three or more are gathered in God’s name, there is going to be a meal pretty soon’. Another mantra is this: ‘We won’t meet, if we can’t eat’. I never knew it could or should be any other way.
Last night our staff brought a wonderful meal. Today some dear friends will do the same.
Patsy McCain mentioned a chocolate pie. Do not expect me to share.

They call it ‘food for the soul’. Every day this week, the mail box has been full of sympathy cards. They are just as sweet as the pie. They nourish the soul. It is so good to know people care. I also know that for every visible symbol of love, there are a dozen more prayers offered on our behalf.

When I was in Groom I went to visit an elderly man. He was a member of no church and his children worried about his soul. I heard that he loved chicken and dumplings. I made home made dumplings and took them by his home. He asked me who made them. I responded that I had cooked them myself. He said back: ‘Put them on the counter, some one will eat ‘em’. Imagine my embarrassment. His daughter called later to tell me good news and bad news. The good news was that her father received baptism from the Methodist minister in town. The bad news is, he had passed away. She then asked if it was a sin to break the confidence that her father had sworn her to. I told her I could not answer that question, but for now it would be best to keep it a secret.

When I left Groom, the daughter came and hugged me and thanked me for my visits. I told her that it was my privilege to pray for her daddy. She then told me the secret. HE HAD EATEN MY DUMPLINGS; AND LOVED THEM. He just wanted to make sure that I never knew that I liked the dumplings.
I would like to think my dumplings made a difference. I know that Patsy’s chocolate pie has curative power. Visible and edible symbols of love always have the power to heal.

Day 89: April 5, 2006 7:48 a.m. Church Office

2006-04-05T06:34:00.000-07:00

Total miles walked so far: 883

I heard it said by a member of the fairer sex that it is difficult to communicate with men. Now, before we get carried away in a cacophony of amens and Hallelujahs, let me present an opposing view point. Men are not that difficult to communicate with, if you understand the way our minds work. I know even that comes as a surprise to some; that our minds work, but hear me out.

The key to communicating with men is knowing what our passions are. Once you know what we are interested in, then you can communicate with us. I always try to find out what drives a man. Once I know that, it is a piece of cake. For example, if a man is driven by career you have to use a different language. It helps to be current on books and trends. Even though I am not technically ‘in the corporate world’ I can communicate if I know the words to use. Senior adult men are a little easier. If you will invest a little time in the History Channel or Discovery Channel you will have a leg up. What about men who are interested in NASCAR? It is not that difficult. A 200 lap race is 800 left turns. How simple is that.

I visited with a friend yesterday who played football. He did not just play football, he excelled at football. He was a star; even if it was for some team other than burnt orange. He told me of his coaching philosophy. The key to success is getting back up when you have been knocked down. The harder the hit, the quicker you must bounce back. This tenacity provides self confidence and cultivates confidence in others. Good football players know that you will get hit; the issue is how you handle that hit.

I remember my football days. It is not that hard. It is not like I had a ton of memories. I could have had a scrap page instead of a scrap book. But I do remember one day when we were lined up for hitting drills. It was really barbaric. One person lined up on a spot, holding a football. Another man lined up at another spot. You both ran on a straight line to a new spot. You were supposed to time your run in such a way where you would both arrive at the same time. If all went well, there was a huge explosion and body parts flew across the fields and we pubescent boys would scream with delight at the results.

My friend Mark Dickard was not overly ambitious. He told me to line up across from him and we would make it look spectacular, but hopefully we would not kill one another. Someone knowing that your friend would knock the snot [ when communicating with men you have to mix in the occasional graphic terms ] out of you brought comfort.

All was well until we realized that we had not counted correctly. I was not lined up against Mark, I was lined up against Donald Taylor. He was the baddest [ spell check tells me that baddest is a poor choice of words, but remember; this is how we as men communicate. ] guy on the team. We tried to readjust, but the die had been cast. I remember seeing stars when he hit me. It was not at all unlike an episode of Bugs Bunny when the stars flew around your head when you were hit.

Instinctively, I popped up and ran back to the line. My friends cheered. I have successfully navigated one of the rites of passage in young adulthood. I had taken a hit by the biggest, baddest dude on the team and got back up. My coach yelled out, ‘Hogan you will never need to prove your manhood again’. The next day, everyone wanted to line up against Donald. It was a chance at immortality. I didn’t want to line up against him, he hit really hard. The good news is, I didn’t need to line up against him. I had proven myself.

Life is tough. You have to take it one game at a time. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog. ‘Wait ‘till next year’ is a statement for losers. You gotta’ dance with them what brung you.

Ladies….these are eternal truths. Learn these words and you can communicate with men. After all, we are not really that complicated.

Day 88: April 4, 2006 7:49 a.m. Church Office

2006-04-04T06:19:00.000-07:00

Total miles walked so far: 874

Thanks for the prayers. We held Alice Head’s funeral yesterday. That is Marion’s mom, my mother-in-law, Matt and Mandy’s grandmother. Everything went well and we are back home. Marion is exhausted and is home asleep as I write this. Does anything ever really prepare you to lose a parent?

It is funny what people remember. Marion’s niece remembered the rocking chair that mee maw used to rock the children and grandchildren asleep in. They remembered how loudly it creaked. Not unlike white noise from a fan, the creaking of that rocking chair was music to the soul. It was easy for a child to fall asleep in those arms and the steady rhythm of a rocking chair that creaked lie an old wooden floor.

They remembered brownies. Alice made wonderful brownies back in the day. In recent years she had given up cooking. I never knew why, except that she felt that over 50 years of cooking for any one man was more than enough for one life time. When she still cooked, she made great brownies. Marion walked into the house many days after school, only to be greeted by the smell of fresh baked brownies. To this day my wife is very particular about her brownies. Her mom had set the standard and the bar was high. There are not many earthly treasures left from Alice Head. She was never wealthy. We do have the yellow mixing bowl from those brownie cooking days. Some simple things are priceless.

I realized yesterday that my children have been remarkably insulated from death. Because of my job, they know a lot about death; they just have not experienced it much first hand. You could see the questions etched in their eyes. Questions they dare not ask, lest they seem inappropriate. What will she look like? Why did that cousin cry so much? What happens at the graveside? Life is best learned ‘hands on’. This is one of their first tangible experiences with something they will encounter with increasing regularity.

It seems ironic to have to deal with death at Easter time. This is spring and new life and new growth. Easter sits in the middle of spring. It serves as this constant reminder that there is no life with out death. Jesus said; ‘That unless a seed falls to the earth and dies, the plant can not grow.’ Without the death of Christ there is no life or hope for me or you.

Last week, the tomb arrived. The tomb we will use on Path to the Cross. A man built a tomb, in a cave, with a stone that rolls in front of the door and everything. There will be a body that lies in that tomb, covered by a burial cloth. It will all be done very tastefully, but their will be children who will peer into the tomb and wonder. Why does He look like that? Why are they crying? What happens when they roll the stone in front of the tomb?

It turns out that death can be a wonderful time to teach our children about life. I hope you not only teach your children about life, but that you also teach them about life eternal. The Life Eternal. Jesus said: ‘I am the way, the truth, the life…. No one comes to God, except through me.

Day 87: April 3, 2006 Church Office

2006-04-03T06:08:00.000-07:00

As you read this, it is Monday. We are in Sherman today. Marion’s mom passed away. I did over 40 funerals last year. Some were for people I never knew and others were for very close friends. It is different when it is family. Please pray for all of us, especially Marion. I will be back tomorrow with a better blog.

Day 83: March 30, 2006 8:51 a.m. Church Office

2006-03-30T07:41:00.000-08:00

Total miles walked so far: 836

I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday. I earned something. I was the only guy in the place.
That is not exactly right, there were a couple of stockers and a little boy named Matthew who looked like he would rather be any where in the world than at Hobby Lobby. I was there on very important business. I had to buy black cloth for the sheds on the path. Preparation for Path to the Cross has officially kicked into high gear for me. For the church, it is a week of rest before the controlled mania begins.

The lady in fabric was wonderful. I told her I knew nothing about fabric. I hoped she would argue a little and tell me I probably knew more than I thought. She just nodded and began to assist me. I explained that I needed black cloth. That was easy. I then told her I needed purple cloth for lowering Jesus from the cross. She said that she was from 1st Baptist Church, Slidell, Louisiana. She showed me the type of cloth they used at her church. It was what she said next that moved me. She said: ‘Let’s pick the right cloth, they are lowering Jesus with this cloth.’

And so we looked and chose. We chose cloth carefully. This cloth would not lower Mark Janoschak the actor; this cloth would lower the lifeless body of Christ. If you don’t know what I mean by lower, you will have to come to Path to the Cross. It is a beautiful way of removing the body from the cross.

When I worked in a shoe store in seminary, a lady came to buy shoes for her mother’s funeral. The young clerk asked what type of shoes she wanted. She replied: ‘These are not for me, they are for my mother.’ The young clerk responded foolishly, ‘They won’t see her feet in the casket.’ That is when I assumed responsibility for the customer. This lady wanted everything to be perfect; even the shoes that no one would see. It was her way of showing respect.

I have often wondered how prepared Joseph of Arimethea was for the burial of Christ. Was it a last minute decision? Did he scramble to find anything, even rags? We know Joseph was a rich man, but the question remains; how prepared was he for a proper burial?

The first thing the women closest to Christ did was head to the tomb. They headed out when it was still dark, and they were not empty handed. They headed to the tomb with embalming spices. They wanted to make sure that the job that was started by Joseph and Nicodemus on Friday was finished on Sunday. Strict Sabbath laws kept them away on Saturday. Like a woman buying shoes for her deceased mother, details and respect go hand in hand.

That is why picking out the right cloth is appropriate. This is not just any cloth, this is cloth that will touch the body of Christ.

Some of you might be saying to yourselves: This is just a play. Poor old Ed has lost perspective. Maybe, maybe not. We are telling the greatest story ever told. We are remembering the death of Christ. Details matter, because respect matters.

I remember the ‘Song of Mary’ from the musical Celebrate Life. The lyrics went this way: ‘Carry Him gently my baby, Carry Him gently my Lord.’ There is great tenderness and respect in those words; the same respect and tenderness that we should show when we portray the death of The King.

Day 82: March 29, 2006 8:00a.m. Church Office

2006-03-29T06:47:00.000-08:00

Total miles walked so far: 819

There are many teachable moments in a child’s life. If we as parents will listen, there are life lessons almost every day. Take for example, Hispanic students walking out of school yesterday. That became a great time to speak of passion and compassion. It became an occasion to talk about appropriate and inappropriate ways to express concerns. It was fun to watch as politicians scrambled to say the right thing. One said that he did not like their tactics, but in the next breath compared what they were doing to the Boston Tea Party.

This is the inherent problem in political protest. When it is our history and our protest it becomes the stuff of history and legend. When it some one else’s struggle it is seen as unlawful and inappropriate. Yesterday was a chance to speak of all of that.

Later that evening we received a recorded phone call from the superintendent. He spoke of the ramifications of the actions of students who walked out. He spoke of the need for appropriate lawful expressions of concern. The superintendent is my friend and he has my support and my prayers. Mandy asked me if I have ever been in the same spot. I have been in a similar situation as the superintendent, though obviously not on the same scale.

One Sunday morning a mom was breast feeding her baby in the foyer of the worship center. An usher suggested that a private room might be a better atmosphere. [Now before I continue with the rest of the story please let me say that I am for The U.S.A., apple pie, and especially motherhood.] The mom did become frustrated and said she would call me on Monday. I had a day to prepare, but I felt that this was a problem of biblical proportion. Where was Solomon when you needed him?

My phone rang in my office at 8:00 a.m. sharp. I knew from the ring that it was she and I knew the nature of the call. The woman I spoke to was eloquent and persuasive. She actually made some good points. My dilemma was clear, did I stick with policy or offend a friend. I stuck with policy. I am not especially proud of my decision. To be honest, I have always had a place in my heart for the brave person who is willing to fight for their rights, even if the fight is ambiguous or inappropriate.

When I told her of my decision I heard a sentence I will never forget. ‘Next Sunday the La Leche League will be here at the church in protest. There will be 100 moms with nursing babies in tow.’ I believed her. Talk about mental images. Can you imagine news trucks with antenna high in the air? 100 moms and their infants and I am outside trying to convince people that we really do like kids. I still wake up with night sweats over that one.

I was able to speak with her and negotiate an agreement without the protest. They left the church so I am not sure who won or lost. Such is the way it goes when passions run amazingly deep. I whispered a prayer for David Anthony today. Being a superintendent is always hard, but especially today. I also prayed for students who feel strongly enough about these issues to walk out of school. It is hard to find that ‘win-win’ compromise.
I may doubt their causes or methods but I admire people who have enough passion to gather nursing moms or walk out of class. It shows passion and heart. Do we as Christians have that kind of passion? How strongly do we feel toward the kingdom of God?

I am asking church members to pass out invitations to Path to the Cross. I am asking you to come to the Jersey Village parade and pass out brochures. I am asking people to bring people to Path to the Cross. For some people, these seem like radical things to ask. For people of passion, people who believe in something it is not that much.
If people are willing to organize ‘nurse ins’ or ‘walk outs’ for causes they believe in, is it too much to expect that we as Christians could show equal passion in inviting people to Christ? The cause is right. The methodology is solid. It is all legal. Is the passion there?

Day 81: March 28, 2006 2:10 p.m. Church Office

2006-03-28T12:48:00.000-08:00

Total miles walked so far: 811

I keep coming back to the computer screen in hopes that something creative will happen. Now I am actually typing and I still hope that something creative will just come flowing out from my fingers. Oh well, nothing yet. I might be back in a minute or it might be tomorrow. Who knows? I think it is called writer’s block. Well, I will be back in a minute. I know what you are thinking…never known him to be speechless. There is a first for everything.

Day 80: March 27, 2006 8:07 a.m. Church Office

2006-03-27T07:27:00.000-08:00

Total miles walked so far: 804

It is time to get the word out. It is time to send the invitations. It is time to let people know. The Path to the Cross is only 16 days away. Preparations are going well. Rehearsals are going great. There are still lines to be memorized and robes to be fitted and decorations to be put up, but we are close….so close. Now, it is time to get the word out.

I love the parables in the bible related to wedding feasts. Weddings were so much different in biblical days than they are today. Well, at least they are different than Baptist weddings. Marriages were arranged by families and an approximate date was set. That decision was always huge because you couldn’t set a wedding during the planting season or the harvest. The wedding could not conflict with the Passover or other major religious events.

Once the date was set, the preparations would begin. The family would make wedding clothes for everyone invited to the wedding. Dad would begin to fatten the calf and make sure there was enough wine for everyone. [Like I said, this was not a Baptist wedding.]
Preparations could take weeks or months. When everything was ready, the servants would go and invite everyone to come.

Do you remember the parable Jesus shared about wedding guests who would not come to the feast? In ancient Israel that was an unspeakable social misstep. The angered father then ordered the servants to go and get anyone who will come. Instead of socialites and city fathers coming to the wedding, the poor and the indigent came. The call went out from the master of the house; ‘Go into the highways and hedges and bring them in,’

The parable was obviously not about weddings, but the kingdom of God. Jesus tells the story to encourage people to be aggressive in bringing people to the kingdom of God. There is a sense of urgency in the voice of the head of the household. It is time to get the invitations out.

I hope you hear a sense of urgency in my voice. I am asking us as a church to get out in the highways and hedges and ‘bid them come’. Here is how you can help.

Take invitations and hand them directly to people. We will have them available for you on Wednesday night and Sunday morning. A personal invitation is always best.
Help us in sending out e-vites. E-vites are e-mail invitations. If we have your e-mail address, you will be getting an e-vite from us. Please forward it to the people on your e-mail list.
We need people who can hand out brochures on March 8th. That is the Saturday before Palm Sunday. It is also the 50th anniversary of the city of Jersey Village. Our parking lot is the staging area for the parade. I would like for us to hand out invitations and brochures to people in the staging area and up and down the parade route.

The drama is moving. The message is timeless. We just need to make sure that people know.

Day 77: March 24, 2006 7:45 a.m. Church Office

2006-03-24T07:33:00.000-08:00

Total miles walked so far: 768

The devil is in the details. The job is not done until the paperwork is finished. It is not over until the fat lady sings. It is not over until it is over.

These are clichés that remind those of us who are slightly obsessive, that you can never really relax until everything is finished. The last line in the paragraph is from Yogi Berra. He had such a remarkable gift for stating the obvious.

I like 'to do lists'. I like marking the items on the list off, one by one, until the list is completely finished. The only problem is this: I always start a new list before the old one is done. I consolidate old items in with new items and make a brand new list. I always feel like I am making progress and yet I never quite feel like I am there.

That is a lot like the Christian walk isn't it? We feel like we are always making progress, but we never quite get there. Well. I am really not even sure that I always feel like I am making progress. I am certain I will never get there; this side of heaven, at least.

Jesus said: 'Be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.' Jesus also said: 'Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.'

I am told to be perfect in one sentence and in another I am told that, if the Pharisees can't get there, you will never stand a chance.

And so it is; we strive for that which we will never achieve. The Bible tells us that "You will keep in perfect peace whose mind rests on Thee." The Bible also says that we are to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling." It can be frustrating can't it? We always work toward that which we will never achieve.

I think the goal of spirituality is to realize that very fact: I am striving for that which I will never achieve. However, as Paul Harvey says, "now for the rest of the story."

The Bible says that one day we will "see Him and be as He is." I remember a revival preacher who told us we would all be eternally 33 years old because that is what Jesus was when he died. After the sermon I asked my mom: "Does that mean we will all be male and Middle Eastern with olive skin and brown eyes?"

The point of the verse is not about our age or appearance, it is a window into what will occur in heaven some day. It is called by some, 'glorification'. In an instant we shall see Jesus, and we will be transformed. Moses saw the back of God and he glowed. Imagine what will happen to us when we view Jesus unfiltered...face to face.

One day we will finally become what we strive to be. It will be in His power not ours; His timing, not ours; His way, not ours.

This morning I looked at my Path to the Cross To Do List and I see that there are only 12 items. I am comforted by that until I realize that there will be 25 or 30 next week.

The only thing worse than a 'to do list' is a 'I have nothing to do list'. By the way, anyone have a tractor with a front end loader? I have these hug rocks....

Day 75: March 22, 2006 8:17 a.m. Church Office

2006-03-22T09:34:00.001-08:00

Total miles walked so far: 747

I had hoped to get to 750 miles before I wrote my article, but more pressing things got in my way last night. Actually, it was a very nice evening. I had done a funeral yesterday and several hospital visits so I was behind. I had some errands that needed running. Specifically, I needed to get a check cashed and pick up some laundry. I bribed Marion to come with me. All it took was a small retainer from the check I cashed and chicken tortilla casserole from Black Eyed Pea.

After we left Black Eyed Pea, it was off to another soccer game. I have been really proud of Mandy and her team this year. They are very young, having only one senior. [ If it is a girl is it Seniorita? ] They have been very competitive in most games and won quite a few as well. Last night we played Cy-Falls. They are the best team in the district, it was their home field, we had played them very close before and they wanted a measure of revenge, and it was the night they recognized their seniors. They had eight seniors. We had one, they had eight.

I am glad that Vegas can not place lines on high school games. This game was the perfect storm and Cy-Falls played great. The game was out of reach at half time. As a parent, I was committed to stay until the final gun. It is what we do.

Then a great thing happened. A bunch of kids from Cy-Falls walked out to the sideline on the field. I knew something was up. I was sitting near an administrator of Cy-Falls and they assured me that, even though they were not officially on duty, these students had procured all proper permission. I would like to see that form, wouldn’t you?

They yelled through their megaphones at a certain player. She begins to ease toward the group slowly and somewhat nervously. The coach looks absolutely perplexed. [ Do you remember Tom Hanks in a League of their own? ‘She’s crying! There is no crying in baseball!!’ That is the look this coach had. ] The player began to trot to the group.

On cue they raised their shirts. The students had painted letters on their stomachs. The letters spelled out: ‘Will you go to the prom with me?’ The guy on the end had an arrow mark pointed to his face. She ran across the field, said yes, hugged him, and went back to the bench to resume play.

The score is usually printed in the Houston Chronicle. I have no need to check, I was there. What will not be reflected is the fact that a guy asked a girl to prom and she said yes.

I admire his courage. I admire his creativity. I admire his sense of humor. I am impressed that he has enough friends to spell out that many letters. We talked to him after half time. He was hilarious.

Sometimes we press our kids to achieve. We press them to win. We are bewildered when they don’t play their best. We forget that they are kids and they might be more worried about having a date to the prom than the score of a game.

I just hate that Marion was there. If she had not seen it I could have gotten the Deacons and I to stand on stage at the church, and with the letters: ‘ I love you Marion, Happy Anniversary!’ they could have raised their shirts in unison and…..

Now that’s a mental image that you will have a hard time erasing.
Laugh a little today. Have a good time. I learned that from a kid at Cy-Falls.

Day 75: March 22, 2006 8:17 a.m. Church Office

2006-03-22T09:34:00.000-08:00

Day 74: March 20, 2006 9:14 a.m. Church Office

2006-03-20T07:51:00.001-08:00

Total miles walked so far: 732

What a great weekend. Have you ever seen a dream turn into a reality? Our new youth building opened this weekend, and it is a dream come true.

A year and a half ago, I was approached by a good friend. He wanted to give a gift to the church, but he did not know if I would accept it or not. He understood how important our general fund and 4 Our Children debt payments were, but he had a vision of a building for students, a place where they could come and find a safe haven. He saw a place where a kid who was a follower and not a leader could find a place where people made good decisions. This building was to be a place where students could fellowship with strong students who were mature Christians. He saw this building as an outreach center. I knew how his wife felt because she had tipped me off that he had this idea to begin with.

The next step was to go to Chris Curran, our youth minister. The donors and Chris dialogued. Chris talked to Paul and they came up with a plan. The donor loved it and told them to move ahead. Along the way we had to do all the things Baptists do. We got church approval and elected a committee. We went through all the processes. It is easier to do all of that when you have the money in the bank, by the way.

The building process was like any other building process. There were delays due to weather and permits and contractors and every other thing that happens in every project. There were unexpected problems and unexpected costs. At the end of the day we have a great building.

The true joy came last week. I was thrilled that the donors loved the building. I was delighted that the parents loved the building. What brought me joy was looking at the faces of our students. It is their building. It was not built to appeal to adults. It was built to appeal to students. Chris always got that; so did the donors. The building committee always got that. This was always meant to be their building, not ours.

What made this process great was the passion behind it. We wanted a building that would help us reach kids for Christ. It was always about the students. We set aside egos and pride and built the building God would have us build for our students.

I was most touched when I walked in Saturday and saw students sitting around reading scripture aloud. They read all of the verses of the New Testament. It was their way of consecrating the building the day before they got to play in it. It was a great scene.

Remember how we would hold our hands as children? Remember how we would quote the poem: ‘Here’s the church, Here’s the steeple. Open the doors and look at the people!’
It was a fun thing to do. As children we would unfold our hands and wiggle our fingers. Our fingers represented the people who came to church.

In the poem the church is a building. The church is not a building, it is people.

I could tell you 101 reasons that I love the new building. The thing that I love most is this. One day soon a student will walk in. They will stay because they think it is cool. They will come at first to play the games or flirt with girls. At some point they will stay for worship or small group. They will see and hear things that they never have heard or seen before. They will pray to receive Christ.

At that point, every penny given, every hour of work offered, every prayer uttered, and every scripture verse read will be worth it. Any thing that happens after that is gravy.

There are a few things yet to be worked out. My daughter tried to open a tab at The Common Grounds Café. It seems that her unemployment and questionable father have caused her to become a cash only customer. I support the church’s policy. I know my daughter. For one glorious month the smoothies and frappucinos would be on her. And then the bill would come and then….well, it is just better this way.

Day 74: March 20, 2006 9:14 a.m. Church Office

2006-03-20T07:51:00.000-08:00

Total miles walked so far: 732

What a great weekend. Have you ever seen a dream turn into a reality? Our new youth building opened this weekend, and it is a dream come true.

A year and a half ago, I was approached by a good friend. He wanted to give a gift to the church, but he did not know if I would accept it or not. He understood how important our general fund and 4 Our Children debt payments were, but he had a vision of a building for students, a place where they could come and find a safe haven. He saw a place where a kid who was a follower and not a leader could find a place where people made good decisions. This building was to be a place where students could fellowship with strong students who were mature Christians. He saw this building as an outreach center. I knew how his wife felt because she had tipped me off that he had this idea to begin with.

The next step was to go to Chris Curran, our youth minister. The donors and Chris dialogued. Chris talked to Paul and they came up with a plan. The donor loved it and told them to move ahead. Along the way we had to do all the things Baptists do. We got church approval and elected a committee. We went through all the processes. It is easier to do all of that when you have the money in the bank, by the way.

The building process was like any other building process. There were delays due to weather and permits and contractors and every other thing that happens in every project. There were unexpected problems and unexpected costs. At the end of the day we have a great building. Did I mention that it came in/near budget? I have been told that I can’t make that declaration until all bills have been received.

The true joy came last week. I was thrilled that the donors loved the building. I was delighted that the parents loved the building. What brought me joy was looking at the faces of our students. It is their building. It was not built to appeal to adults. It was built to appeal to students. Chris always got that; so did the donors. The building committee always got that. This was always meant to be their building, not ours.

What made this process great was the passion behind it. We wanted a building that would help us reach kids for Christ. It was always about the students. We set aside egos and pride and built the building God would have us build for our students.

I was most touched when I walked in Saturday and saw students sitting around reading scripture aloud. They read all of the verses of the New Testament. It was their way of consecrating the building the day before they got to play in it. It was a great scene.

Remember how we would hold our hands as children? Remember how we would quote the poem: ‘Here’s the church, Here’s the steeple. Open the doors and look at the people!’
It was a fun thing to do. As children we would unfold our hands and wiggle our fingers. Our fingers represented the people who came to church.

In the poem the church is a building. The church is not a building, it is people.

I could tell you 101 reasons that I love the new building. Did I mention that it came in/near budget? The thing that I love most is this. One day soon a student will walk in. They will stay because they think it is cool. They will come at first to play the games or flirt with girls. At some point they will stay for worship or small group. They will see and hear things that they never have heard or seen before. They will pray to receive Christ.

At that point, every penny given, every hour of work offered, every prayer uttered, and every scripture verse read will be worth it. Any thing that happens after that is gravy.

There are a few things yet to be worked out. My daughter tried to open a tab at The Common Grounds Café. It seems that her unemployment and questionable father have caused her to become a cash only customer. I support the church’s policy. I know my daughter. For one glorious month the smoothies and frappucinos would be on her. And then the bill would come and then….well, it is just better this way.

Day 71: March 17, 2006 8:30 a.m.

2006-03-17T08:19:00.000-08:00

Total miles walked so far: 711

I have been behind a little for the last few days in my total mile count. I have finally caught up again, and it feels great. I did not get a blog up yesterday. I am sorry about that. I met with six people in six hours without stopping yesterday. I was exhausted and went home and slept. People came and shared their hearts with me. We spoke of family, faith, fortitude, failure, forgiveness, and the future.

I was humbled that people would come and share their heart with me. They were so brave and confessional and so open to God’s Will in their lives. When I visit with people, I carry more of their pain than they will ever know. I was so exhausted and weary. I went home and then I came back to my computer and I just had nothing to say.

Today I walked and I prayed for the people I met with yesterday. I felt like God spoke to me. God reassured me that He is still in control. God is bigger than any detail, any circumstance, any problem, any obstacle. I was renewed by knowing that I had done my part by listening and praying. Gratefully, now God will do His part. By the way, He does His part better than I do my part. I was refreshed with the realization that God was, is, and always will be in charge.

I was rejuvenated last night. My son had a few friends over. It started with four and ended up closer to a dozen. It was time to watch ‘March Madness’ and eat some groceries. A lot of groceries. An enormous amount of groceries.

Did you know that carnage comes from the same root word as meat? I have a new appreciation for the word after last night. I witnessed carnage of Biblical proportions.

I asked Matt if he had any vegetables. He told me he was going to wrap some of the meat on the grill in bacon with jalapeño slices. Can you imagine? Jalapeños were his vegetables. So I helped out by cooking huge amounts of mac and cheese and ranch style beans.

My wife said: Where are the veggies? I pointed to the mac and cheese and the beans. It seems that there is a discrepancy between ‘veggies’ and ‘starches’ in my marriage. Oh well, no one ever accused us of being the Cleavers.

Matt cooked over 20 pounds of grilled meat. 20 pounds. I put away 6 pounds of meat last night after the festivities had ended. You can do the math: a dozen guys and gals ate 14 pounds of grilled meat, plus veggies/starches. I think that they think that Saint Patrick is the patron saint of hamburger patties. St. Pattie’s day has a different meaning at my house.

The part that was the best was the camaraderie. A college student came home and came by. They all bear hugged each other. The affection was heart felt and contagious. I was impressed. I feel blessed that we live in this place. I feel blessed that we go to this church.

If you want a sausage sandwich, drop by the house today between 2:00 and 2:30. I will be warming up a snack for the fellows. There won’t be much left after that. After 2:30 I will be going for a walk; a long walk. Did I mention that the duck was wrapped in bacon? I figured each piece was 400 calories and I ate …. Oh well, I might go walk now.

Day 69: March 15, 2006 10:34 a.m. Church Office

2006-03-15T11:24:00.000-08:00

Total miles walked so far: 684

I am learning a lot about building healthy habits in my walk. Yesterday I was not able to walk much until 9:00 p.m. I did not make all of my ten miles. I went to sleep frustrated because I had missed my miles. I woke up this morning and went on a long walk. I walked before I met Mark. We walked our four mile walk and then I walked Holly for longer than normal. I feel absolutely exhilarated. I missed my walking yesterday. I REALLY MISSED MY WALK!

I am to the point that my walk does not require much work. I really want to walk. When I miss my walk, things are not right.

I want my walk with God to be exactly the same way. I want to be frustrated at the end of the day when we did not spend enough time together. I want to wake up the next morning and desire to make that time up as quickly as possible.

For some of you, church attendance is work. You have to make yourself go. Others of you can’t imagine doing any thing else. It is what you have always done. For still others, going to church is a passion and desire, not just a habit.

I love vacations. I love anticipating and planning trips. Just knowing that a trip is coming soon will sustain me through dark days. I love the trips themselves. I enjoy the time away. One of the first things I do when I get back is get pictures developed. Half of the fun of going is reliving the trip once you are home again.

Time with God could be viewed as a mini-retreat. Time with God is something to anticipate, something to enjoy, and something to relive.

How did I get to the point where I have become so excited about walking? By walking a lot. Everyday.

How do I get to the point where I am excited about my walk with God? By walking with Him a lot. Everyday.

Day 68: March 14, 2006 8:14 a.m. Church Office

2006-03-14T10:48:00.000-08:00

Total miles walked so far: 672

My day began early. Well, not that much earlier than normal; it is just my routine that changed. I went to pray with a church member before surgery. Another member went with me. The surgery was at 7:30 a.m., but the member had to be there at 6:00 a.m. I much prefer getting there before all the festivities begin. If you have ever had surgery, you know the routine of which I speak. There is the indignity of the robe that is never big enough. Then there is the removal of eye ware, dentures, and jewelry. This is all followed by sticking and probing and the placing of an i.v. I chose to let no one in my room but my wife when I had surgery a couple of years ago. I despise all of the pre-surgery routine, especially the anxiety.

I then went to visit another member about to enter surgery. This member is two years old. She had very little awareness of all that she was about to go through. Somehow she understood that all was not right. The anesthesiologist came out to visit with the family. The mother shared with the Doctor that a mutual friend had referred the Doctor to her. That referral, from a mutual friend they both trusted, calmed mother, Doctor, and Grandmother.

It was then that I thought about trust. That mother handed her daughter to the Doctor with the full trust that all would go well.

As a minister I am privy to more information than I should be allowed to know. In a small town I am familiar with, there were surgeons, Doctors, and anesthesiologists who were involved in a bit of controversy. One Doc’s wife had left him for another Doc. From time to time, all of the major players were in the same surgery room at the same time. It seems that the Doc’s wife was a nurse. The people in the surgery room who were not directly related to the issue were required to choose sides. This is how it goes in small towns. It seems that no one in the room spoke any more than was absolutely necessary as surgery was performed.

I trusted the Docs. I would want to know; however, that they were all on speaking terms before I would let them cut on me. Life often hangs on a very narrow thread.

My friend bought a plane recently to fly from Crockett to San Marcos and back. I do worry a little about him. I heard the story a few weeks ago about an engine on a plane that went out because the spark plugs were adjusted too tightly. The thought that my life would not only be in the hands of the pilot, but also in the hands of the guy who makes eight bucks an hour to switch spark plugs is enough to keep me out of small planes.

I travel down Beltway 8 often. I am no safer than the driver, or car, or tires next to me ob the road. The truth is this: my life is much more fragile than I would know. Surgery makes us nervous because we are aware of the fragile nature of life at a greater level. Actually, life always hangs by a thread, we just don’t know it.

I went to see a third member this morning. She received bad news from a Doctor. She looked out her hospital window and saw the most magnificent sun set she had ever seen. She viewed that as God’s reminder that He is in control. Life never hangs by a thread when we are God’s children. Nothing happens to us that does not first sift through the hands of God.
His eye is on the sparrow, I know He watches me.

Day 67: March 13, 2006 8:26 a.m. Church Office

2006-03-13T07:06:00.000-08:00

Total miles walked so far: 668

I did not realize until this morning that I have reached the 2/3 point of my walk. Quite frankly, the number that hit me yesterday was 1. It was 1 month yesterday until the first day of Path to the Cross. It is on us soon!

You know how it is with vacations. It takes me a day or two to get away. Even if I leave physically, my mind is still at work. Last week, a miraculous vent occurred. My body went to Crockett and my mind went with me. I did not worry about church events at all. As a matter of fact, we shot trap and I shot 21 out of 25. For me, that was good. Of course, I was shooting with a guy who has hit 275 in a row in competition, so everything is relative. The point is this; my mind was on shooting and not on work.

Yesterday morning, my mind and body came back to their senses and I began to think about work. I didn’t think about preaching. I view that as worship, not as work. I began to think about Monday morning. I began to think about my April newsletter article and my blog. I began to think about staff meeting and a meeting Tuesday night and another on Wednesday night. I began to think about e-mails and phone calls.

Then I read an e-mail. A church member asked me to come to a surgery for her infant on Tuesday morning. Then I remembered to pray for Andy. He is a five month old boy with Leukemia. I realized that my day had been captured by the ‘tyranny of the urgent.’

There was a great little book that I read often in college. It was entitled TYRANNY OF THE URGENT. One must understand the meaning of the word tyranny before the concept makes sense. Tyranny is the act of taking authority or lordship over something that does not belong to you. It is not yours to take. It is not your responsibility.

The author argues effectively that our busy lives and the urgent matters that press us each and every day have exercised a coup on our daily agendas and spirituality. Urgent matters often hold tyrannical power over our lives.

To put it another way, we are so busy putting out grass fires we take no time to water and nurture our souls. We are so busy running from crisis to crisis we never take time to make plans for growth and renewal.

There are times to put out fires. A friend of mine from Groom, Texas lost his home yesterday to wildfires. The town of McClean, just a few miles away had to be evacuated. Every available man is busy helping fight the fires even as I write this blog. There are times to put out fires. The problem is, we tend to think that every time there is smoke there is fire. The truth is this; every day has a little haze to it.

If we are to see clearly through the haze and smoke we must prioritize. The urgent matters must take a back seat to my relationship with God. As a minister I have discovered that I can fill my days with good works that seem urgent. I often neglect the best work in doing so. There is no reward for doing busy work, when that busy work takes us from God.

I pray for you a good Monday as you go about putting out fires. Just remember to take time to nourish your soul.

Day 64: March 10, 2006 7:29 a.m. Church Office

2006-03-10T06:18:00.000-08:00

Total miles walked so far: 634

I guess you know by now that I have had guest ‘bloggers’ for the past few days. I actually got away and took some time off for spring break this week. I wrote last week about my son and I having a fishing contest. I won the ‘first fish’ contest. Matt won all of the rest. At one small pond, that had to measure about one acre, we caught a ton of fish. I caught 11 bass. Matt caught 14, and many of those were with a fly rod.

I kept up my walking for the most part. I am a few miles behind, but I should easily catch up this weekend. Something funny happened in my walk this week at Crockett. We were staying in a cabin on the edge of the national forest. The television only picks up one channel. It is comfortable, if not a bit rustic. We got home late Monday night and I needed to get a 4 mile walk in. As I headed out a heavy fog set in. I walked down a long dark dirt road. The sounds of the night began to creep in and I was a little spooked. I walk in the woods often in the dark, but I am usually armed. My flashlight did not feel like much protection on that dark road.

I shared my anxiety with some friends the next morning in Crockett. One of them said: ‘You walk the streets of Houston at 5:00 in the morning, and you are afraid of walking in Crockett?’ I guess perspective is everything.

I was reminded this week of the importance of rest. A spring break should be just that; a break. I am trying to prepare my mind for the joy of next Monday. I don’t know about you, but Mondays after holidays are killers. They are two or three normal Mondays. Today, none of that matters. I am taking my wife out to eat for her birthday tonight.
As the Cajuns say: ‘Voulez les bon temps roulez ’ ; Let the good times roll.

Or better yet, as Jesus said: ‘Don’t worry about tomorrow. Today has all the evil you need.’

I am off to get donuts for the fam. See you Sunday.

Day 63: March 9, 2006 8:30 a.m. Church Office

2006-03-09T06:33:00.000-08:00

My friend and I met on The Path yesterday for prayer. Over the past 36 years of our friendship, some of my most wonderful memories are of times spent in prayer together. When we were younger, we spent too much time discussing our problems and trying to help each other come up with solutions. Now, we pray. We’ve joined together to pray for many things and seen God move what seemed to be mountains. Yesterday we prayed for our children. Moms want the best for their children, and that means more than just being a good Christian. Moms want their children to be consumed by the love of God. So we prayed. We walked on The Path and cried out to God on behalf of our children, our children’s children, and our children’s children’s children. Ok, I only have one grandson now, and Terry doesn’t have any yet, but we were praying for the future generations. Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Parents of the years past have hoped that their children would have a better life, and my generation is no different. I want my children to know more about God than I do. I want them to walk with Him more fervently than I have and to be used more fully than me. I want them to have a relationship with the Lord so deep that it transcends everything else.

But my physical children are not the only ones I wish that for. I long for my church to have a devoted walk with Christ. So I pray and walk The Path. Oh yes, I think JVBC is the most wonderful church around, but God wants our whole heart. I pray that as we walk the path with God, He will prepare us spiritually for the vision He has dreamed over our church. And that vision entails reaching out to a community that is hungry for the truth of God’s Word. And it is time to pray and walk The Path as a church.

- Judy Baker

Day 62: March 8, 2006 11:23 a.m. Church Office

2006-03-08T09:24:00.000-08:00

The Ash Wednesday service last Wednesday was quite effective in helping me ponder more deeply the sacrifice of Christ and my amazing need for Him. Those powerful hymns and songs of praise that speak so ably of His terrific suffering and pain on our behalf help bring to light how greatly He loves us.

As I was reading Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest this morning, he had quite a lot to say about being crucified with Christ.

What our Lord wants us to present to Him is not goodness, nor honesty, nor endeavor, but real solid sin; that is all He can take from us. And what does He give in exchange for our sin? Real solid righteousness. But we must relinquish all pretense of being anything, all claim of being worthy of God’s consideration.

If you are up against the question of relinquishing, go through the crisis, relinquish all, and God will make you fit for all that He requires of you.

Often we are tempted to keep areas of our life in tact apart from God’s intervention. There are things in our lives that we don’t want Him to meddle in. We convince ourselves that we can balance sin and righteousness and have it all just the way we really want it to be.

God’s answer is completely different. Christ literally abandoned all for us. He became sin on our behalf. He spared no part of himself and He did it just for us in obedience to His Father. Death on the cross speaks of abandoning all, relinquishing all, sparing nothing.

As I approach Easter, I will give great thought to celebrating life everlasting and the miraculous resurrection of my Savior. However, I will do it after spending much time reflecting on His pain and agony and my need to be baptized into His suffering.

Join me on the path to the cross. Our Savior didn’t promise an easy road, but He did promise a journey of deep-seated joy and peace followed by an eternity at His side.

- Kirby Follis

Day 61: March 7, 2006 4:45 p.m. Church Office

2006-03-07T14:55:00.000-08:00

When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions.

This is what he said: "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.”

- Matthew 5:1-5, The Message

Fellow climbing companions, let’s meditate on these wise words as we go throughout our day. Instead of trying to control our lives or our circumstances, let’s release our struggles and problems into the hands of the One who is always in control and who will never let us down. Isn’t it great that “with less of you there is more of God and His rule”?

What would our lives look like if we were truly “content with just who you are – no more, no less”? I think my life would be much more peaceful, and I would probably focus more on what really matters in life, if I wasn’t constantly worrying about the impression I make on others or whether or not I’m as good as someone else at something.

1 Samuel 16:7 says “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Climbing companions, let’s follow our Lead Climber on our journey today and stop focusing on our outward appearance, our status, our possessions, and all the temporary and trivial things of this life. You have a Creator who loves you deeply and intimately - just the way you are.

- Kristen Vecera

Day 57: March 3, 2006 7:47 a.m. Church Office

2006-03-03T06:43:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 4
Total miles walked so far: 566

Before I ‘blog’ I want to remind you of a few things:

We have a church workday Saturday March 4th at the church. Breakfast is served at 7:00 a.m. and we begin work at 8:00 a.m. If we get 100 people we can all be home by lunch.
Next week is spring break for Cy-Fair I.S.D. The church offices will be open all week, but we will not have any Wednesday night activities.
We will have our first rehearsal March 19th at 3:30 p.m. on The Path. If you are an actor, you will be receiving the script through e-mail or your Sunday school class soon.
We will have a very important meeting on March 22nd to vote on an architect for the new worship center.
Our new student building, here to fore known as The Warehouse, will have it’s grand opening on March 26th.

If you get a day or two off during spring break, enjoy them. Things will get busy here very quickly.

I saw one of the greatest videos I have ever seen this week. There is a young man who is a senior in high school. He has highly functional autism. The basketball coach has used him faithfully as a trainer. Last week the school had ‘Senior Night’. It was a chance to recognize all the seniors on the team. The trainer was allowed to suit up. Below is a link to the video – after you click on it, the video will be on the right side of the screen. I dare you not to laugh, shout or cry! Have a great week.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/23/earlyshow/main1339324.shtml

Day 56: March 2, 2006 9:13 a.m. Church Office

2006-03-02T10:36:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 6
Total miles walked so far: 557

Thursday mornings have become by best ‘walk with members’ time. Schedules are so busy for everyone; it is hard to find good times to meet. For some reason, Thursday mornings work well for people and for me.

I walked with a remarkably joyful person this morning. They said something great. They said: ‘I have fun wherever I go. I could have a party in a paper bag.’ I get the idea that this person would have fun in any environment with anyone. I sharing a story about New Orleans they spoke of ‘joie de vive’. That is French for ‘joy of life’.

I preached on joy this past Sunday. Eugene Peterson has a great quote in his book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. The quote is attributed to Phyllis McGinley and goes this way: ‘I have read that during the process of canonization, the Catholic Church demands proof of joy in the candidate, and although I have never been able to track down chapter and verse I like the suggestion that dourness is not a sacred attribute.’

Would Baptist churches look different if we required joy to be a requirement for church leadership? Many leaders are joyful. Others look like they were weaned on a dill pickle.
Joy is contagious. It comes from deep within someone, but it is shared and it changes those around us. A church member asked me recently why I was not more like ….; a hell fire and brim stone preacher. My response was brief: ‘I am just not that angry at anyone.’

I have joy today. Spring has sprung. The birds are singing and the trees are budding. Next week is spring break. I am going to Crockett with my son and some good friends. We will shoot a little and fish a lot. It is so much fun because you can actually see the bass in the water this time of year. The thing that brings me joy is spending time with my son. I am glad that my son wants to spend time with me. Would it surprise you to know that we are competitive?

We have contests when we fish. First fish. Biggest fish. Most fish. Most variety of species. Most fish with a fly rod. I taught him how to fish, but he has exceeded my abilities. He continually and consistently out fishes me. One year he looked at me and said in his best Kung Fu voice: The student has become the master.

Roger Clemens pitched in spring training the other day. He faced his son who unceremoniously hit a home run. The next time up, Roger buzzed his head, high and tight, with a fast ball. When asked if he was more angry at the home run hit off of him or proud of his son, Roger was noncommittal in his answer.

My children bring me joy. I am especially proud when they out do the old man. My daughter and I were watching a commercial on MTV together. The ad encouraged kids to ask parents about their teen years, especially about drugs and sex. My daughter looked at me and smiled: ‘Daddy did you ever do drugs? Daddy did you have sex as a teenager?’
Never has the chastity and celibacy of my teen years ever felt so rewarding. The conversation continued: ‘Daddy, did you ever get a college scholarship?’ I replied proudly: ‘Yes! At Kilgore Junior College!!’ Mandy walked out and said: ‘Loser.’

She brings me joy. I am confident she will get her scholarships some day. I am confident that she will do better than Kilgore Junior College. And I will be there to cheer loudly.

I am heading to therapy now. I would never tell Mandy or Matt but continually being out done by my children has brought me great joy, but it has also rekindled old insecurity issues. I just hope to live long enough to watch their children out do them. Now that would bring me joy.

Day 55: March 1, 2006 8:25 a.m. Church Office

2006-03-01T08:25:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 4
Total miles walked so far: 545

I was asked by several people how they could pray for me. That means a great deal to me. My response is this: pray for me by praying for Path to the Cross. We are 42 days, six weeks, from the first day of our drama. I am convinced that we could do a good job, even an interesting job. It can be a qualified success. The only way that lives will be changed will be through prayer. We will do our ground work. We will put together all of the details. It is God who will bring the people. It is God who will speak to people. It is God who will change hearts.

Today we will begin our intensive prayer phase. At noon today, we will walk around the path. We will pray for every scene. We will pray for the actors. We will pray for the people who come. We will pray for the weather.

Every Sunday school class will receive prayer guides for the scene they are sponsoring. We are asking every person in this church to commit to daily prayer for this event. I will and have made that commitment. Every time I walk I will whisper a prayer for The Path.

Bill Hybels wrote a book entitled Too Busy Not to Pray. He is very confessional in his book. He talked about being so busy that he did not pray as he should, as often as he should. Like a father who reconnects with his children on a long vacation or a husband who reconnects with his wife on a weekend get away, I feel like I have reconnected with God. It is not like anything was overtly wrong. There was no outward or visible hostility. The relationship had grown luke warm. Not from God’s end, but from mine.

My prayer is that many people will reconnect with God in the next few weeks. It is good to rediscover our ‘first love’. It is good to feel a sense of camaraderie and conversation that had slipped away.

I hope that Lent and The Path to the Cross become vehicles by which you reconnect with God.

Day 54: February 28, 2006 8:38 a.m. Church Office

2006-02-28T13:25:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 5
Total miles walked so far: 536

A member of our church has a son who was shocked by over 4,000 volts of electricity at a refinery. He should not have survived. Thanks to quick response by those nearby, he was kept alive and lifeflighted to Houston. He was placed in an induced coma and his body temperature was dropped dramatically. I asked you to pray for him Sunday morning. He has been brought out of his coma. He is alert and may eat soon. He should survive and recuperate. Thank you for your prayers!

Be glad that you do not live in New Orleans today; or Galveston for that matter. I say that, not because of the hurricane, but because of Fat Tuesday. The crowds are expected to be smaller than normal, but every bit as rowdy. Forgive me, but I don’t get it.

It is a strange understanding of God and religion that leads to this day. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. That is the day for many religions to ‘give up’ something as a spiritual practice in preparation for Easter. Usually that means giving up smoking, drinking, etc. Mardi Gras developed as a way to ‘get ready’ for Lent. The idea, of course, is ‘party hard’ because tomorrow your sins are forgiven at Ash Wednesday.

Now, before I am accused of anti Catholic bias, I understand that the same practice occurs among Baptists. It just happens in honky tonks or bars on Saturday night. Penance comes in the form of an appearance in church on Sunday morning or if you were especially wild, a twenty in the offering plate. It is a remarkable misunderstanding of grace.

Not convinced yet of how pervasive the mindset is? Think of the practice of bachelor’s parties. They are one last chance to kick up your heels before you swear before God and everybody that you will be faithful to one woman.

Does a raucous Fat Tuesday bring more grace on Ash Wednesday? Does a good buzz on Saturday night make a guilt ridden sermon any more relevant on Sunday morning? Is a last minute frolic going to add special meaning to the ‘for better or worse’ vows the next day?

Behind this idea is the idea that in giving up sin we are really going to miss out on something. Lent is always better than Mardi Gras. A clear mind is always better than a hang over. One woman is always better than a couple. God’s way is always better than my way, no matter how convincingly Sinatra croons.
P.S. We will walk around The Path at noon tomorrow to pray. If you want to eat, bring a sack lunch. I will bring the drinks. We can begin our Lenten walk together. Tomorrow night I will begin a study on Bill Hybels book: Too Busy Not to Pray. Please pray about a Lenten sacrifice or commitment that might deepen your walk with Christ.

Day 53: February 27, 2006 10:18 a.m. Church Office

2006-02-27T09:07:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 4
Total miles walked so far: 525

I looked in a book given to me by a friend. In the front, the book is autographed. I love books any way, but signed copies are always special. The book is written by one of the most spiritual people I have ever met. That is why I must protect their anonymity at all cost. Being associated with me or this blog could ruin someone’s reputation.

I have had the privilege of meeting and knowing some great people in my life. The thing that has always impressed me most about great people is how sincere and down to earth they are. Someone asked me about the diplomas on my wall in my office. Next to my diplomas are Alumni By Choice certificates from Baylor. Did you go to Baylor, they asked. My response is always not physically, but my heart has always been there.

Those certificates mean a lot because of Baylor, but they mean even more because of the friendships behind them. I had the opportunity to partner with former president Herb Reynolds on several issues related to the university. He became my friend. Milton Cunningham actually nominated me for the award. He too became my friend. Along the way I met Winfred Moore and Paul Powell and they too are friends. I was delighted recently to hear that Bill Bellinger had been promoted to the head of the Department of Religion at Baylor. He called me in the hospital when I was sick at Seminary. He has been my friend for over twenty years. All of these people are great people, but they are great because they are so real.

Oh well, back to the book. A couple of years ago I sat by the author at a high school basketball game. I teased them about a trip to the Holy Land. I asked them why they never had a recreational cruise. Why not have a little fun? Why do we always have to be so spiritual? I told my wife of the conversation and she was horrified. It seems that not everyone is fond of my sense of humor. ‘Are you sure they knew you were joking?’

The author wrote a book on prayer. In the front they wrote these words: To Ed, My Brother: Pray On, Mighty Warrior! [And when is our cruise?]

They did get it! They have a sense of humor. Why do we equate spirituality with dullness or seriousness or stiffness? Of all people, we should enjoy life most. Of all people we should have the most joy. Of all people, we should be able to laugh at ourselves and life.

I say all of that for one reason: as you do daily devotionals and walk with God and grow, remember life should be fun. I call people who are too serious ‘buzz kills’. No one likes a ‘buzz kill’.

The Pharisees hated Jesus: seems he was a little too much ‘life of the party’. They had no room for someone who had fun. Jesus came to bring life. Let’s live it to the fullest.

When is that cruise?

Day 50: February 24, 2006 7:49 a.m. Church Office

2006-02-24T06:30:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 5
Total miles walked so far: 503

I passed the half way mark. There were no whistles, bells, or fireworks; just a simple acknowledgement to my walking partner that I had made it half way. It is like everything else in life. There is a process that I call ‘critical mass’. Any time you need to do something that is significant you have to build momentum. You must begin to gain traction.

Remember one of Newton’s laws of physics: ‘Bodies at rest remain at rest, unless acted upon’? It is called inertia. I had developed a sense of spiritual lethargy last fall. I wasn’t a backslider, derelict, or heretic. I had just gotten a little lazy. I had eased into a spiritual rut. More than a spiritual rut, my whole life seemed to lack dynamism.

This walk has ‘jump started’ my walk with God again. There were actually moments in the first few weeks when I wondered if I could/would make it. I no longer wonder that. The only thing that could keep me from making it now is an unforeseen event.

That brings me to another one of Newton’s laws of physics: ‘Bodies in motion remain in motion, unless acted upon’. One of the questions I am asked almost daily is ‘Are you going to continue this when you are done’? The answer is yes and no. I will continue to walk four or five miles every morning. I cannot imagine losing that. I think I will change up my routine by working out on weights during the day. I feel good about my increased energy and stamina. It has even been nice to loose a few pounds. I want to keep ‘the ball rolling.’ It is much easier to ‘keep the ball rolling’ than it is to ‘get the ball rolling’.

I have friends who advise me often on issues related to our new worship center. The best analogy I heard was this illustration. A friend asked me to envision building a worship center as a relay race. Raising money early on is the first leg of the race. It is all up hill. It is difficult because people must step out in faith. They are asked to give before the plans are drawn. They give before everyone else is on board. The people who run the first leg are truly visionaries.

The second leg is run by visionaries as well. They see the early commitments and they are inspired. They want to be on board and they give. The third leg is made up of church leaders and those most invested in the process. They now see a vision, and they are prepared to take off. The last leg is the best leg. It is, HOPEFULLY, when everyone sees the vision and joins the race.
My family began giving money every other week to the new building fund. It is not much, but it is a start. I want to be in on the first leg. I want to be able to say, I was on board from the beginning. Trust me; there are no drawings, no plans; but we give anyway. In faith my family believes that God wants to do something extraordinary. Others have given incredibly generously. Others are praying as we speak. We haven’t reached our critical mass yet, but the ball is rolling. I am at half time in my walk. To use a football analogy, the church is in the first few minutes of the game. We have gotten off to a great start. That is half the battle.

Day 49: February 23, 2006 10:12 a.m. Church Office

2006-02-23T09:01:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 10
Total miles walked so far: 494

Yesterday I felt that I had absolutely nothing to say. Actually, I never found that free minute to even know if I had something to say or not. Today, I have something to say. You will have to be the judge of the value of what I have to say.

I am reading a book. This book has nothing to do with sports or hunting. There are no pictures, just words. It is a biography of Henri J. M. Nouwen. Nouwen was a great theologian and teacher at Yale Divinity School. He was a gifted communicator and a very popular author. His favorite role was that of teacher. I read a quote that really affirmed my decision to walk every day.

Nouwen says: ‘We are not asked to teach a discipline like mathematics, physics, history or languages, but we are called to make our own faith available to others as the source of learning. To be a teacher means to lay your life down for your friends, to become a ‘martyr’ in the original sense of witness. To be a teacher means to offer your own faith experiences, your loneliness and intimacy, your doubts and hopes, your failures and success to your students as a context in which they can struggle with their own quest for meaning. To be a teacher means to say as those who want to learn what Jesus said to His disciples: ‘Come and see’.

That is my calling. I do not teach a discipline like math or science; I say ‘come and see’. I cannot lead where I have not gone. I cannot reveal what I have not seen. I cannot say what I have not heard. I cannot lead to a place that I have not gone. I cannot point you to a path that I have not walked. My walk began with the sincere knowledge that I needed to walk with God more; more time, more quality, more intentional: more in every way. I think that is occurring for me. It is occurring for many of you as well.

Many of you teach. You teach at work as a boss, or at home as a parent, or in church as a leader. As teachers we are called to ‘make our faith available’ to others. We cannot give what we have not received.

My walk has affirmed two things. I needed a better walk with God. Some of you needed a closer walk with God as well.

Day 48: February 22, 2006 1:36 p.m. Church Office

2006-02-22T11:39:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 4
Total miles walked so far: 476

I have absolutely nothing creative, interesting, or funny to say right now. If that changes today, I'll put something up, if not I'll see you tomorrow.

Day 47: February 21, 2006 8:58 a.m. Church Office

2006-02-21T07:32:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 7
Total miles walked so far: 469

I had two long walks this morning. I usually don’t get this many miles in this early. It is a great jump start on the day. I am pumped.

Today’s blog will not be long. I desperately need to get to the hospital and I am in a huge hurry. Nevertheless, I still have something to say; imagine that.

I am currently working on casting actors and actresses for our Easter drama. There are a couple of things that make this interesting. First, I have more male speaking roles than female speaking roles. Generally, women are more eager to take on such roles. Second, some of our best actors have business commitments that will keep them away. Third, it is hard to find actors who will be Jesus. Fourth, it is especially hard to find actors that will portray Judas.

Think about it: would you want to portray Judas? I talked about needing an actor to play Judas one time in Crockett when we were getting ready for an Easter drama. I didn’t have anyone volunteer, but I did have some people nominate other members for the role.

Actually, when you think about it, we all have a little Judas in us. I know that I have betrayed Christ before; maybe not with a kiss, but I have let him down. I have, on occasions, had motives that were less than Godly.

The most compelling story to come out of Mel Gibson’s movie, THE PASSION, was his personal involvement with the filming. When you see Jesus getting flogged, it is Mel Gibson who quirts blood on the actor portraying Christ. When Christ is being nailed to the cross, it is Mel Gibson’s hand that holds the spike.

Mel Gibson got it right. It wasn’t Judas alone who betrayed Christ, Mel did as well.
It wasn’t the Jews alone who sentenced Christ to death, Mel was there. It wasn’t the Roman soldier that nailed Christ to the cross; Mel did. I did. I was there. One of those stripes on His back was for my sin.

Playing Jesus is hard, until I realize that the divine spark lies within every believer. Playing Judas is hard, until I realize that I too have betrayed Christ. I did not betray Him with a kiss, but with lies, and unkind words, and a lifestyle that was not ‘Christ-like’.

By the way, do you know any one who could play Barabas? I am looking for a real brute. A vicious……. Well, you get the point.

Day 46: February 20, 2006 8:39 a.m. Church Office

2006-02-20T07:31:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 4
Total miles walked so far: 456

Jesus said: ‘Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’

The Statue of Liberty says: ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to be free.’

Bill Withers says: ‘Lean on me, when you’re not strong; I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on.’

Who do you go to in your time of need: a friend, a family member, a counselor, a minister? I am grateful for those who are there for me in my time of need.

I walked with a church member and his wife this morning. I would like to come to you in a time of need. He has cancer. I would like for you to pray for him. I am not comfortable printing his name on the internet. Don’t worry, God will know who you are talking about. God never looses track of anyone.

This has been a difficult winter for us as a church. We have had so many people diagnosed with cancer. So much so, that it has become a little overwhelming. Our members are so fortunate. They have wonderful family systems, great friends, and diverse support teams. They have access to the very best care. They all seem to be coping amazingly well. However……

There must be moments that seem unbearable. There must be times that seem incredibly lonely and difficult. There must be moments of doubt.

I want you to pray for them. Please take just a second and pray. Pray for D and C and E and D and R and R and J. Pray that God would lift them up and renew their strength. Pray that God would mount them up on eagle’s wings.

We all need someone we can turn to in our moments of need. Pray that you and I will be available for those who are hurting.

Pray for my friend who has surgery on Wednesday. Pray for his wife. Let’s lift them up together.

Day 43: February 17, 2006 9:31 a.m. Church Office

2006-02-17T08:25:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 3
Total miles walked so far: 425

I missed my alarm this morning. Actually, I forgot to reset it last night. I wake up at 5:00 a.m. or a little earlier some days. I then reset the clock to 5:30 a.m. so Marion can sleep a little while longer. I forgot to reset it. I sprang out of bed, looked at the clock, and realized my walking partner was long gone. I walked a little bit, but I am behind. Friday is my normal half day off, so I will catch up later.

Today is day 43 of my walk. It is day 16,619 of my life. [That is assuming that I accounted for all leap years and that I can actually add.] That is a big number. I have walked 425 miles so far. That is 1,884,875 steps. [That is assuming that each step I take is approximately 2 ½ feet apart.] That is a huge number.

I don’t remember every day of my life, but I remember some. Birthdays, funerals, weddings, parties, and holidays leap to memory quickly. Other days just fade into an indistinguishable mist. I don’t remember every step of the walk, but I remember a couple. I remember my first step. I remember turning my ankle, but only a little. The rest of those steps fade into an indistinguishable mist.

Life is a puzzle; a huge jigsaw puzzle. Do you remember putting jigsaw puzzles together as a kid? I had a family member who loved puzzles. Some pieces were easy to find. We always started with corners and edges. Some other pieces were easily picked out as well. I remember a puzzle we put together of a street in Paris. Any piece with lettering from signs was easily put into place. Other pieces seemed to be insignificant. But when you put them all together every piece needed the other. The seemingly insignificant pieces brought contrast or relief or detail that was necessary to the piece as a whole.

Many people go through life looking for the pieces of a puzzle. They always look for the corner pieces or edges. They look for the bright or spectacular. They throw away the pieces that are dull or seemingly insignificant.

Have you ever made a puzzle, only to find one piece was missing? The puzzle is incomplete.

Life is not made of the big days and special days. Life is made out of the small days. People who live life fully see the beauty and importance of every day. There are no ‘throw away days’ for them. Because they live those days well, the big days seem a little brighter and better because the contrast is even stronger.

I can’t remember many of the 1,884,875 steps I have taken so far. All I know is this exercise has rekindled my walk with God. I try to enjoy every step. They are all gifts from God.

If I live to 75, I only have 10,950 days left. I can’t afford to waste even one. I have 575 miles left to 1,000. That is 2,516,430 steps. I don’t want to waste a one.

Well, it’s time to walk. I need to make 5 miles before the rain hits. That is 21,882 steps if you are counting. To quote Faulkner:

They are not monuments, but footprints. A monument only says, ‘At least I got this far,’ while a footprint says, ‘This is where I was when I moved again.’

Day 42: February 16, 2006 8:03 a.m. Church Office

2006-02-16T06:57:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 4
Total miles walked so far: 416

I just wanted to give you an update on how everything is going on The Path.

Sermons/Devotionals:
Many of you have chosen to follow the daily devotionals. Devotionals are like anything else in life: you get out of them what you put into them. One of you told me that you really liked that the sermon on Sunday was reinforced all week by the devotionals. Educators know that repetition is the key to retention. For many of you, the time you are spending with God is changing your life. For others, it is changing your marriage. By walking with God and your mate, it is improving your relationship with both. I think our staff has done an amazing job on writing these devotionals.

The Blog:
Like everything else, there is always a learning curve. The experience of writing a blog has been no different for me. Many of you are reading the blog daily and it is making a difference. I do wish it was more of a dialogue and not so much a one way conversation, but I am unsure how to change that. Thanks for reading. Would you do me a favor? E-mail tomorrow’s blog to someone who has been away from church a while. I think they might enjoy it.

The Walk:
There are moments when I wonder what I have done. Most of the time, I am just grateful that God placed this burden on my heart. There has been one main benefit. I feel better. I have more energy. I have more drive. I have more ideas. I have more stamina. I have more peace and contentment. God is faithful. When we seek Him and spend time with Him, He blesses us beyond our wildest dreams. I am so grateful that I have avoided any complications like heel spurs or shin splints. I have also enjoyed walking with you. The relaxed nature of the walk allows you and I to open up more. I have truly enjoyed our time together.

The Path to the Cross:
Yesterday marked eight weeks until our first live experience related to the drama. We have finally caught up. In weeks to come I will meet with every group that has a part in the drama. Actors are being recruited and leaders enlisted. Costumes are 90% done and will be finished quickly. We have a workday March 4th that will help us get most of our Path work completed. Having said that we still need these items:
1. Potted Palms or Tropical Plants
2. Pottery that looks Middle Eastern
3. Candles and Lanterns that look Middle Eastern
4. Four electric golf carts
5. Many actors/actresses for the Triumphal Entry scene.

If you can help in any way, please let me know. In summary, we are having a great time. Thanks for your time and support!

Day 41: February 15, 2006 8:18a.m. Church Office

2006-02-15T09:09:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 5
Total miles walked so far: 406

A good friend of mine died on Saturday. He was a great friend of mine for many years. Pastoral duties will not allow me to attend his funeral late this afternoon. I have written a tribute that was e-mailed to The Baptist Standard newsletter. I have no idea whether it will be printed or not. I just needed to say these things.

As I walked yesterday I gave thanks for so many friends who have loved me in so many ways. I am indebted to them all.

I lost a good friend this week. Phil Strickland died.
Those words haven't completely sunk in yet. He has fought cancer for so long, and so courageously, I thought he might finally win the fight.
Every day he whipped cancer was one more day that God blessed us. Every day he fought, was one more day that the children of Texas had their most effective voice. Every day Phil got up and went to work, when most of us would stay home, was one more day that Texas legislators knew that there was a voice of reason in the chaos of the culture wars that have engulfed our state. Every day Phil fought to stay with us, was one more day that defenders of religious liberty had a passionate ally.

Phil Strickland was a paradox. He was as comfortable on the deer lease as he was at a black tie affair in North Dallas. Phil was serious and incredibly funny. He was a politician and strategist who was intensely spiritual. He had white skin, but his heart belonged to African Americans and Hispanics. He was judicious in his speech, but never failed to be heard on important issues. He would disagree with you in a strategy meeting, and somehow draw you into his friendship. He was a public figure who loved his family most. He traveled the world, but his favorite vacation was a trip down a Texas river, in a canoe, with his dog.

I will miss him.

Phil Strickland was the director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission.

Day 40: February 14, 2006 8:27 a.m. Church Office

2006-02-14T08:06:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 5
Total miles walked so far: 397

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope that you made the effort to make sure that your sweetheart knows that you care. I have taken care of some of my V-DAY privileges, but I still have a couple of surprises left. My kids asked what they were getting this morning. I had to act like I had something planned all along. When do they outgrow the need to get things? Mandy wants carefully thought out gifts. Matt prefers cash.

I am not sure how it works in your house, but here is how it works in mine. I took a couple of days off last week. Marion thought to herself: ‘If he gets to go hunting, and if I have to stay here with the kids, and house, and dogs, and chores, and taxi duty; then don’t I deserve a little treat?’ Marion took herself to Chico’s and I bought her a Valentine’s Day gift. I didn’t know that I was buying her a gift, but I did. The check came through yesterday. I really did well!

I kind of wondered about all of this until I talked to a friend of mine. He came home from a hunting trip and there was a pool man in his back yard. There was an outline of a pool spray painted in pink paint with wooden stakes in the ground. I guess my little trip to Chico’s wasn’t so painful after all.

Yesterday, my wife reminded me, that it was really wasn’t Valentine’s until I bought something that I actually picked out. I knew that already. Actually a gift and a meal is a small way to tell my wife how much I care.

When I was hospitalized in seminary, she was there for me. When I have to travel for work, she is there for our kids. When I have to leave in the middle of the night for an emergency, she understands. Every person needs a great partner in life. Pastors need an extraordinary partner, because our lives are continually out of balance. I have that partner and more. She is my best friend.

I pray that today you can share with someone you love how much you care. That can be a family member or a friend or anyone. Just let someone know today that you love them.

Day 39: February 13, 2006 7:48 a.m. Church Office

2006-02-13T06:47:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 5
Total miles walked so far: 384

When I was In Crockett, there was a radio station named KIVY. It was a local station owned and operated by Jim Gibbs. They did a ‘canned’ radio program all night, but local broadcasting began every morning at 6:00 a.m. I can’t remember the exact order, but every day began with two songs. It goes without saying that one of those songs was the Star Spangled Banner; the other was a song I had never heard. The words went something
Like this:

Well, it’s a good day for singing a song
Well, it’s a good day for getting’ along
Well, it’s good day yada yada yada

I had a group of friends I played basketball with. When we would see each other on the road we would pull up beside the other one’s vehicle, roll down the window, and begin the serenade. ‘Well. It’s a good day for singing a song! Well, it’s a good day for singing along!’

The irony of singing that song was the ‘tongue and cheek’ manner in which we sang it. We were poking fun at the song, and living in a town where a song like that would be played. The irony was this; every time we sang the song we would laugh at ourselves and each other. Singing that song made any day a ‘good day’.

Attitude is so important in life. I woke up tired this morning. I layered up and laced ‘em up and headed out. I walked alone this morning. I began to pray about all that I have to do this week. It is almost too much. Feelings of anxiety gave way to feelings of peace. By the end of the walk, I had begun a really good day.

The author of the song ‘good day’ could make the case that there is biblical precedence for the song. The Psalmist said: ‘This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!’

Today is the only day I have. Yesterday is gone and there is no promise that tomorrow will come. Today is all I have. I will make the most of today. So sing with me.

‘Well, it’s a good day for singing a song. Well, it’s a good day for ?’ You fill in the blanks.

Day 36: February 10, 2006 8:19 a.m. Church Office

2006-02-10T11:30:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 7
Total miles walked so far: 357

When I began this process I was advised by some to blog only occasionally. The rationale was solid: ‘How could any one find that much to say every day’? Others advised that the blog needed to be a daily journal. They argued: ‘The way to keep people engaged is by regularity and consistency’. I have chosen the nearly daily route and that has worked out great for me.

When I was in Crockett I had a two minute ‘thought for the day’ radio program. We had the best time available on the local country and western radio station. We were at 5:15 a.m., 6:15 a.m., and 7:15 a.m. More importantly, we were strategically placed between the funeral announcements/school menus and the lottery announcements/weather report. What a great time! We caught seniors, young adults, gamblers, and farmers. In Crockett, Texas that was nearly everybody.

I had someone ask me how I always had something to say. I have thought about that often. The truth is that I am blessed beyond anything I could ever deserve. I have the best job in the world. Every day people entrust me with their greatest joys and their deepest regrets. Yesterday a friend called to tell that they had gotten a promotion. They were thrilled and I felt honored to share that joy with them. Yesterday a friend of mine asked me to do his funeral. He doesn’t have long. He is afraid and scared. He trusted that moment to me.

If I have something to say it is because you have something to say. I continually get e-mails from people who are praising God for what he is doing in their lives. I hear people who are fighting courageous battles give God the credit for their survival.

If I have something to say it is because God has something to say to me. My life is one long teachable moment. The text for this Sunday’s sermon is Psalm 124. There is this wonderful line where the Psalmist says: ‘If God had not been for us ….. we would have been swallowed alive.’ If I have something to say it is because God has pulled me out of the fire more than once. In those occasions God spoke and taught, and on occasion I listened.

I complained about the chaos in my life recently. A friend reminded me of this truth: ‘If you create the storm clouds, don’t complain about the rain.’ It was an illusion to a great line in the movie COLD MOUNTAIN. My friend was right, I was complaining about rain, when I had created my own storm clouds.

If I have something to say it is because I have friends who are willing to share what God has taught them. They do it in eloquent, funny, harsh, and crude ways; but the message always comes through.

If I have something to say it is because every day is the day the Lord has made. We are to rejoice and be glad in it! Life is a wonderful privilege that ought to be celebrated.

Day 35: February 9, 2006 7:43 a.m. Church Office

2006-02-09T07:15:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 5
Total miles walked so far: 344

I am learning so much on my walks. Today, I walked with my regular partner, but we had a college student join us as well. I impressed with any college students who are awake at 5:00 a.m. Actually, let me rephrase that: I am impressed with college students who wake up at 5:00 a.m., not those who are still awake at 5:00 a.m., but that’s another story.

It was so great to hear about her dreams and ambitions. I was deeply moved by how loyal and deeply devoted she is to her friends. We shared a common concern as well. She noticed that from time to time she has friends who have trouble moving ahead in their life when things go poorly.

Sometimes in life, the hardest thing we can do is cut our losses and move on. In the words of the great Crockett/Houston theologian Kenny Rogers:
You Gotta Know When to Hold ‘Em Know When to Fold ‘Em
Know When to Walk Away Know When to Run

In 1 Samuel there is a great story about Samuel and Saul. Samuel gives Saul explicit instructions in a battle. Samuel speaks for God. Saul is disobedient to God and Samuel confronts Saul. Samuel tells Saul that God has removed His hand from Saul and will no longer empower him as Israel’s king. A few verses later you see Samuel grieving over Saul.

God confronts Samuel and asks; ‘Why are you grieving over Saul? Get up, I have a new King in Bethlehem you need to anoint.’ God was telling Samuel to cut his losses and move on. To put it another way, God is the God of today. We are often so tethered to our path we cannot enjoy or embrace today or tomorrow. God is not that way.

Reinhold Niebuhr was a remarkable man, theologian, ethicist, and humanitarian. His greatest gift to the world was a simple prayer. It is reprinted here for your enjoyment.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace.

Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.

Day 34: February 8, 2006 9:45 a.m. Church Office

2006-02-09T07:13:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 9
Total miles walked so far: 336

I am back after a couple of days of r&r and I am feeling great. I had gotten ahead a little bit on my walk so I took yesterday off. I felt so much better on two long walks this morning. I realize that there is a flaw in my system. I have made no provision for a Sabbath. My walk had become work. I struggled at times to get motivated. A day off is exactly what I needed.

God wired us with the biological, emotional, and spiritual need for a Sabbath. Every day of the creative process God made something new and then said: It is good. God rested on the seventh day and said: It is good. One of the inherent problems of ministry is finding a Sabbath. It is not going to happen on a Sunday for a Pastor, so ministers must be intentional in planning time off, or it never happens.

When I pastored in East Texas, I was teased about working a day and a half per week. They would ask what I did with the rest of my time. They would often do this in front of people to inflict the greater embarrassment. One guy was especially bad about it. I got him to quit by responding: ‘Well, you know I worked late last Friday. I bailed you out of jail for getting drunk.’ I never had that problem from him again.

My question to you is this: When is your Sabbath? When is your day off? I walked with a great guy this morning. He shared about the weariness of having a family member with cancer. When someone you love is struggling, you never get a day off. After a period of time, you begin to grow weary and tired. We all need a break. When is your day of rest?

I love the movie WHAT ABOUT BOB? In that movie Richard Dreyfuss plays a Psychologist who is treating Bill Murray; a character named Bob. At one point in the movie the psychologist writes a prescription for a vacation. He tells Bob, ‘You need a vacation from your problems. Here is your prescription, giving you permission to take a vacation from your problems.’ The Sabbath is God’s prescription from fatigue, and frustration, and exhaustion.

Just like any prescription. It never works unless you do what the prescription tells you to do. Therefore, I have a slight modification in my plans. I will walk 11 miles on some days and 12 on others. I need that day a week off.
Maybe you need time away from your stress as well. It’s o.k. God gave us permission.

Day 33: February 7, 2006 8:30 a.m.

2006-02-07T06:31:00.000-08:00

Ed:
Let me begin by saying how encouraged and inspired I have been over the last few weeks. I have been amazed at how the messages and devotionals each week correlate with the principles I am learning in my own study time. For example earlier this week, Kirby's devotional quoted Oswald Chambers and how our life becomes a mirror for other lives - this was the day after I had studied the bronze laver in the tabernacle and that it was made "from the bronze mirrors of the serving women".

Yesterday, I changed my calendar (I bought last November) and realized something. I am one of those who refuse to look ahead to the pictures and I had forgotten what the theme of the calendar was. January's picture was footprints walking through very deep snow. The picture for February is a tranquil road through newly blooming wild flowers and fresh grass. It hit me like a ton of bricks - the theme for my calendar; "The Path". I couldn't stand it so I took it down off the wall and this is what the back of the calendar said, "...the spiritual meaning of the path - the wisdom and perseverance that lead us toward a virtuous life." I realized that God has been preparing my heart for The Path for many months (Ken's too). We have been both looking for more direction and purpose and I think, for me anyway, I have been too caught up in looking for the ultimate goal - something to be achieved (type A personality) and I now understand that, at least for now, my purpose is to be on The Path; not until Easter, not until my calendar expire, but for the remainder of my life. It may extend up mountains heavy laden with snow, or across the dry, dusty, barren desert, or through a maze of high and thick hedges, or through a soft, grassy meadow dotted with a rainbow of wildflowers - but my commitment will be to The Path and to Him that guides me.

I have really digressed. What I wanted to let you know is that I will do whatever you need me to do in preparation for Easter. If it easier for me to plug in with a Sunday school class that is what I will do. FYI, I have already made arrangements at work to be off Wednesday - Friday that week so I can be at the church all day doing whatever ya'll need. I am so excited about this project and will do anything I can to help.

For His Glory,
Dena

Day 32: February 6, 2006 8:30 a.m.

2006-02-06T06:36:00.000-08:00

This morning, I am a guest blogger for Ed Hogan. I have not been walking ten miles a day, but I have been running 10-12 miles a week for about 4-5 five years. However, there is usually not a lot of time to think about God when all I am doing is worrying about catching my next breath.

This morning, I took some time to stop, to pause, to think about God and the path that I am on with Him, and here is what I realized about my life:

I am stressed, He is always in control.
I am always in a hurry; He never has to rush to be anywhere.
I try to justify my behavior; He is the Standard for all behavior.
I get depressed, He gives joy.
I need help, He is the Sustainer.
I spend much time wanting many things, He gave me Everything already.
I worry about the future, He already knows all things.
I am tired, He gives rest.
I tend to be selfish; He is the one who became a servant.
I spend much of my day working on temporal tasks, He is eternal.
I am the Creation, He is the Creator.
I am sinful, He is the Savior.
I am in need; He is the God of the Universe who made Himself known to me through His son Jesus Christ so I might have relationship with Him.

Why do I not seek this relationship out all the time, every day, all day? Why don’t you? This morning, I am reminded, Jesus Christ is life, real life—and I would do well to keep this at the forefront of my thinking, my talking, and my doing today. Other than the one slip up when I woke up this morning, I am doing pretty well today (it is only 8:09 a.m.). I sure am thankful He is Savior…

Chris Curran

Day 30: February 4, 2006 7:59 p.m. Church Office

2006-02-05T14:51:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 9
Total miles walked so far: 308

What a day! It began with a great walk at 5:00 a.m. with a good friend. We only get to walk every other week, so it’s always nice to catch up. I got to the church about 6:45 a.m. We began to cook breakfast for 100 people. We had a work day. We began to prepare the path for Easter. I shared with several people we were cooking for 100 as a ‘faith number’. I would always rather send a little food home with people, than not have enough. They starting coming at about 7:45 a.m. They came and they came. We looked like ants storming a picnic. Veni Vidi Vici: We Came; We Saw; We Conquered.

What a great day! We had 95 people at 9:00 a.m. and I know of at least 8 who arrived after that. That number doesn’t even count our cooking crew. We had children, middle school students, high school students, and college students. EVERY ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS WAS REPRESENTED!! Watching Delmer Armstrong, Everett Englemohr, and Walter and Barbara McKinney represent our Seniors was a thrill. I had hoped to get most of the work done and be home by dark. All of the work was done and we were home by lunch. As a matter of fact, we were able to clean the area behind Building C. We had not counted on that.

More exciting than that, was watching the fellowship that occurred. I introduced Bill Brown to church members who love the Astros and never knew Bill was a member here. I had the privilege of showing members where the new worship center will be built.

I learned I needed marriage counseling. I borrowed a chain saw from a friend. He told me that the chain saw would work as long as I treated it with as much patience as I treated my wife. The chain saw broke down in five minutes. I hope that is not an omen.

Tomorrow’s sermon is about Service. I saw service in action today. If you could have seen the work day you would have seen a better sermon than I could ever preach. For those who were there, you know exactly what I am talking about.

I will be gone out of town Monday and Tuesday. I am excited because I have guest bloggers. I will back on line Wednesday. See ya’.

Day 29: February 3, 2006 9:16 a.m. Church Office

2006-02-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 5
Total miles walked so far: 292

Have you ever felt that there was a certain ‘momentum’ in your life that was inexplicable? A friend of mine calls it ‘traction’. For the lack of a better phrase, you really feel like ‘you are getting somewhere’.

There is a certain momentum about The Path that cannot be easily understood. People who are reading the devotionals and doing the walk are experiencing remarkable things in their lives. I am getting e-mails telling me that a devotion or blog was exactly what they needed to hear that day.

I have actually been accused by people of aiming certain sermons their direction. I have always been able to point at a Sermon series planned weeks in advance and ask the question: ‘How did I know that you would be here on this day with these needs or these problems?’ The answer is: ‘I can’t, but God can.’

Someone e-mailed me a minute ago to tell me that the Tomb in the Tomb Scene is taken care of: completely. All I need to do is to provide the dimensions and the design. I had another lady tell me that a group of women are going to walk around the path and pray for our Easter drama. God laid it on her heart. Three weeks ago, a friend of mine and I prayed that people would feel led to pray, walking around the path, without us even having to ask. You see what I am talking about?

One person even said today: ‘This is beginning to feel like something I have never experienced before in church’. If only a portion of that turns out to be true, my prayers will be answered. My life long prayer has been this: I want to be a part of something greater than anything I could accomplish in my own strength.

When does a walk become a journey? Mile 250? Mile 500? Mile 750? My walk became a spiritual journey a couple of days ago. That was the day when I realized that God was doing something remarkable. That was the day that people in our church began to take ownership over The Path to the Cross. It is no longer an idea or a concept. It has become a joy and a place of service.

Where would God have you fit in? What can you do to help?

Day 28: February 2, 2006 8:07 a.m.

2006-02-02T07:18:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 7
Total miles walked so far: 283
New friends walked with this week: 3

This blog will also be e-mailed to my church so let me catch you up on my progress. My walking is going great! The further I go, the easier it gets. I have had a chance to walk with several church members this week that I have never walked with. It has been wonderful. For those of you who are signed up, hang in there, I will call soon. My commitment is to walk with everyone who wants to walk with me and I fully intend on keeping that promise.

Last night I did a Bible study on Nehemiah. It is a part of a study on visionaries. Nehemiah repaired the wall surrounding Jerusalem. Like the levee surrounding New Orleans, the wall around Jerusalem was essential to it’s healthy existence. Nehemiah was a genius in so many ways. He had courage. He knew people in power. Mainly, he knew how to motivate people. He also knew how to delegate and organize.

If Nehemiah had only looked at the big picture of a wall that was completely destroyed, he would have become completely discouraged. Had he taken time to consider how long the wall was, and how much it would cost, the project would have overwhelmed him. Instead he began to break the project into manageable pieces. He said to a group: ‘You repair the wall from here to there.’ He would say to the next group: ‘You start where they will finish and build as far as the next gate.’ It was genius. The wall, which was thought to be irreparable, was rebuilt in 52 days. Unbelievable!!

Lawrence Klempnauer is a good friend. He used to say: ‘By the inch, life’s a cinch. By the yard, life is hard.' I try to live by that philosophy. Authors know that books are written one sentence at a time. Contractors know that houses are built one brick at a time. The Houston Texans know that good teams are … Oh well, it’s just an illustration.

Our Easter project is massive in scope. It is the biggest church project of which I have been a part. The Path to the Cross will only work when we break it into bite sized pieces and let everyone have ownership of their area. We need EVERYONE! The best place to tie in is with your Sunday School class. Trust me, we have a job for everyone. If we break it down into little pieces it will get done.

The fun begins this Saturday. Workday on The Path begins at 8:00 a.m. breakfast and 9:00 a.m. work. We have had several hundred trees trimmed. Those limbs must be picked up. We need people of all ages. It will be a great day! See you there.

Day 27: February 1, 2006 9:19 a.m.

2006-02-01T14:50:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 5
Total miles walked so far: 271

I walked last night with a couple of members in the Fairfield area. I really enjoyed the walk. The neighborhood has a lot of walking trails and parks. It is basically, a big wheat field, which someone turned into a small city. I guess I should define ‘small city’. It is small by Houston standards, but Fairfield is large compared to some places I have lived.

The friends I walked with share a common bond with me. We both lived in the panhandle of Texas for awhile. She asked me: ‘Do you ever miss small town life’? That is a tough question. There are some things I miss horribly and others I miss not at all. Groom, Texas had a population of slightly fewer than 500 people when I lived there. The old timers reminisced about the days when Groom had 1100 or maybe even 1200 residents.

You see, ole Route 66 went right through Groom. It spawned a cottage industry all its own. People would go through these small towns on trips down memory lane. You could visit Groom and visit ‘the land time forgot.’ Even today, you can go back and imagine a simpler time with very little effort at all. When the Interstate came through, the town dried up.

I loved knowing everyone by name. I enjoyed all the adopted grandparents who loved my children. I loved apricots in June, fresh sweet corn in July, and pear preserves in August.
I loved knowing that someone in town could help me with almost any problem. There was a real sense of community there. It was a truly ‘magical time’ for us. We wept the day we left.

How do you create a sense of community in church? How do you build a sense of camaraderie and compassion?

When people visit our church, it’s like a new chapter in the three bears saga. For some, we are ‘too big’ and for others, we are ‘too small’, and for others, we are ‘just right’.

What I have found is, that community is not based on size or location. It is not based on race or socio-economic standing. Community comes from the soul. Community comes from a common commitment. Community comes from hearts that are connected to Christ and each other.

A man said to me the other day, as I was visiting him about our church, ‘Give me one reason I should join this church.’ I responded: ‘Out of all the churches I could attend, this is the one I wanted to be my family. These are the people I wanted to help raise my kids. These are the people I want to grow old with.’

That is community. We are really not so much like a small city. We, at JVBC, are more like a really big family. We are not all that different from your brood. We are loving, caring, gracious, occasionally a little nutty, and perpetually dysfunctional. We are family.

Day 26: January 31, 2006 10:49 a.m. Church Office

2006-01-31T09:26:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 4
Total miles walked so far: 259

They announced the Academy Award Nominees this morning, live from Los Angeles. As always, I have a new list of movies I need to see. I am especially curious about the George Looney move, GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK. I have also heard that CRASH is a must see. It’s hard to get too emotionally connected about people nominated for awards from movies you have yet to see.

There seems to be a category for everything: lighting, special effects, costumes, stunts, directing, etc. The category I am interested in this morning is screenplay. I am writing the script for The Path to the Cross, our interactive Easter drama. It’s hard to know what dialogue to leave in and what to leave out. I am using only direct Biblical quotes, so in some ways, it’s easy. The hard part is keeping the dialogue moving and intriguing for those who know the story and giving enough detail for those who do not know the story.

Maybe I need to read the text for those who do not know the story, just to make sure that it all makes sense. I have this fear of leaving out the one line or one detail that is absolutely essential to the process.

As I write, I have mental pictures of exactly what each scene is to look like. I have a picture in my mind as to what Jesus is supposed to look like. The problem is, you have a different picture in your mind. My wife always says: ‘the book is better than the movie.’ It’s hard to do Biblical dramas because the movie in our head is always more intriguing to us than the drama which unfolds before us.

My dilemma right now is this: How can I portray the denial of Peter effectively? Should I create a new scene or set up a scene between two existing scenes. You might not care, but someone does. I want everything to be perfect.

What is the upside? We are reenacting the greatest story ever told.

What’s the worry? That we do a disservice to the greatest story ever told.

At the end of the day, there will be no Oscars or Tonys for our little drama; nor should there be. What is the prize then? I pray for increased church unity, growth for those who act and serve, and maybe one life that is changed forever.

So back to work I go. That one person, whose life will be changed, deserves my very best.

It’s all about the details. Jesus said that even jots and titles matter when it comes to the gospel. You never know what one word may warm a person’s heart.

Day 25: January 30 9:34 a.m. Church Office

2006-01-30T09:56:00.000-08:00

Remember Mr. Roger's Neighborhood? He wore the cardigan sweaters, slip on loafers, and had that quiet, calm voice. There are many memorable lines from the show, most notably, 'Won't you be my neighbor?' My personal favorite was his 'word of the day'.

He would say, 'boys and girls today's word is .....'. That would be the theme of the show that day. Fred Rogers taped his show in the mornings and attended a seminary nearby. His shows were always ethically and morally sound, even if they lacked a certain masculine feel from time to time, but I have digressed again haven't I?

The 'word for the day'? Delegation. Today is the day I begin to give 'The Path to the Cross' away. I drove in to work before 8:00 a.m. and there was a church member working on 'The Path'. He had a big trailer and a big tractor and he was working. In the past I might have gone by to check on him. Today, I drove by and smiled. I thought to myself, 'That's what he does for a living. He can do it better than I can.' The only thing I could do is slow him down.

Another member came by today. She is charge of Biblical costumes for the drama. She will inventory what we have, borrow what we need, and make the rest. I will get her the names of all the seamstresses who have volunteered.

I have this theory that the Holy Spirit gives you exactly what you need when you need it. We had a guy join our church around Christmas. Guess who is an experienced actor? He volunteered to coach some of our scenes.
If I can give away three or four more jobs today, it will be a great Monday!

There are some jobs I can not and should not ever give away completely.
Pastors should preach and teach and visit and administrate and do all the things pastors do. Even on this walk, as much as I appreciate people who have walked for me, at the end of the day I need to get my 1,000 miles in on my own. There are other jobs that I must give away. I need to give away all jobs that keep me from doing my job. As well, if I keep jobs that are not mine, then I am depriving someone else of their chance to serve.

What do lose when you give a job away? You lose a certain amount of control to be sure.

What do you lose when you give a job away? You lose stress, anxiety, untenable schedules, obsessive compulsive tendencies, and even Messianic complexes.

I'll trade control for stress any day.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day in the neighborhood....

Day 22: January 27, 2006 8:20 a.m. Church Office

2006-01-27T16:32:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 5Total miles walked so far: 215

Ever look at a calendar and remember an anniversary? I missed my dad's birthday a few years ago. I realized it when I received a letter postmarked May 3rd. As much as I apologized, I never, ever quite felt at peace about that.

I had that experience today, but in a good sense. I was licensed into the Gospel Ministry on January 27, 1980. I glanced at the certificate on the wall to make sure my memory had not failed. Being licensed into 'TheGospel Ministry' is a church's way of saying: He's not much yet, but if he stays with it, he might make it. One Deacon told me that I had just enough knowledge to be a genuine threat to the free world and democracy as we know it.

As I trained and prepared for the ministry I had some set backs. At one point it felt like I would never get a church. I remember asking afriend, 'Wouldn't it be great if I could look into the future five years out and see where I am at that time?' I guess I was thinking that a peek into the future and viewing the success I would obviously be enjoying would sustain me in the dark times.

If you could look five years into the future, would you? As a young man, I was arrogant enough to think that any clairvoyant moment into my future would be positive. I never thought it could be discouraging, even debilitating. I can calmly say that I have no desire to peer in that which is yet to be. I am learning to be content in the moment.

Yesterday I counseled with a teenager. He had experienced something that seemed to be absolutely tragic. This person is young and hopeful, but lacks perspective. I wanted to say: 'In five years, this will be a distant memory. You have a lot more than this to worry about.' I feel that I have perspective he doesn't have. The problem is I can't give him a window into the future. He has to make the best decision he can make today. I cannot lessen the pain and anxiety of the moment just because I know through experience, this is NOT life and death.

If I could have seen certain times in my 26 years as a minister, on the day I was licensed, I would have quit before I ever started. I am glad I could not look into the future. I am glad I can't look into the future now. When I came to Jersey Village Baptist Church I came with the attitude that this church would be my last church. I still view J.V.B.C. as my lifetime calling. I will [Lord Willing] retire here.

Why do some marriages last and others don't? Some of it is luck, some of it is providence, mostly it is the determination to say: for better for worse...this is my marriage. For better for worse will get you through a lot of problems. For better for worse will get you through most problems.

My advice to this teenager? Don't give up! Don't ever quit!! You willsurvive this. You will be a better person, just don't quit. My commitment to him is to pray for them, 'without ceasing.' Would you pray for my friend today? I hurt for them so much.

Day 21: January 26, 2006 2:08 p.m. Church Office

2006-01-26T14:59:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 9
Total miles walked so far: 210

It’s getting close to spring cleaning time. As I walked for the second time this morning, I noticed that plants are beginning to bud out. My wife and I noticed that our Azaleas are about to bloom. The cold north wind that cut through my warm up suit reminded me that spring has not sprung yet…but it will be here soon.

Spring is a wonderful time to clean things up and clean things out. My friend has a theory about spring cleaning. If you haven’t used it or missed in the twelve months since last spring, then you need to make a choice. You can throw it away, sell it, give it away, or use it, but one way or another you have to do something.

I went with Ken to look at the church storage units today. It is time to do a little spring cleaning at the church as well. I found some things we desperately need for Path to the Cross at Easter time. I found other things we need to throw away or give away. The clutter is so great it is hard to get to the things you really need.

I guess that is another reason I am enjoying my 1,000 mile walk so much. I have found that fresh air, and physical exertion, and careful decisions are not just helpful when cleaning out the garage. The same skills and environment are helpful when cleaning out the mind and soul as well. I have made the determination that I will try to deal with one negative thought or emotion every day. I reserve that process for my walks alone. One by one I am allowing God to remove old anxieties or wounds.

Jesus says: Come to me all you who are weary….and I will give you rest.

At the beginning of the year I determined I would rediscover my unfettered optimism. Churches are no different than any other systems, or work places, or families. You can find criticism in the church like you can any where else you are. For some reason, I had let things get to me last year. I had a close friend who had been criticized and that was most difficult. I had allowed those feelings to cause me to isolate myself. I built a wall.

That is a miserable way to live life. I refuse to live life that way. Every day I choose to forgive and forget and move on. It is liberating. My advice to you is this: do an inventory of your mind, heart, and soul. Any clutter?

Here’s my advice. When you find spiritual clutter you need to burn it, chunk it, or destroy it. Don’t hang on to it! Clean house!!

The church is filled with spiritual pack rats; they never get rid of anything. It’s time to clean house.
In the words of the great theologian Lawrence the Cable Technician: GET R’ DONE

Day 20: January 25, 2006 8:35 a.m. Church Office

2006-01-25T16:03:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 5
Total miles walked so far: 195
Miles in the Special Account: 7

It's official. Today is the day I pressed the panic button for the first
time, but first let me share an amusing anecdote with you.

I was a meeting at Cy-Fair Community College the other day. They are an
amazing story. The new campus on Barker Cypress has only been open a
couple of years and their enrollment [don't quote me on this] is over
7,000 students. Needless to say it is one of the fastest growing
colleges in the nation. I am a huge supporter of the school and will
continue to do so. However, there is one issue I can't resolve. They
chose a school mascot.

Imagine the options: Bears, Lions, and Tigers, or if you want to stay
with native fauna; Lobos, Bobcats, Mountain Lions, or even Hawks. All of
these mascots are intended to put fear in the hearts of the opposition.
They are meant to symbolize a strong determination, a fighting spirit, a
never say die attitude. What mascot did Cy-Fair choose?

The ducks. Ducks. Unbelievable!!! To be fair, they realized the error of
their ways and changed the name. The new name: The Fighting Ducks.
Fighting Ducks. Unbelievable!!!

Now, here is the rationale. They have said since day one their goal has
been to be like ducks, paddling like crazy underneath the surface and
calm, cool, and collected above the surface. When one understands the
dynamic change that immeasurable growth brings, the analogy works, but
use it is an illustration or metaphor, not as your mascot.

Forgive me, I have digressed.

Today I pushed the panic button. I realized for the first time that time
is running out. Our Easter emphasis, Path to the Cross, is a huge
undertaking. It will be enormous in scope. There is a huge amount of
work to be done. We have 80 days until Easter and only 73 days until our
dress rehearsal. I realized that I am 73 days ahead and already weeks
behind. I felt like that duck; calm above the surface, paddling like mad
underneath.

This morning I shared my anxiety with two friends. They assured me that
everything would begin to kick in when we have our workday on February
4th. People will see the need and they will respond in a huge way. They
were right.

After our walk, I walked a mile by myself and it came to me. I had a
writer's block issue and it came to me DELETE THIS. In a flash I knew how to tie
everything together. In a minute I will begin typing the script. That,
which until now has been a figment of my imagination, will take form on
the printed page.

I remembered the text in Matthew 6:34. Do not be worried about tomorrow,
because sufficient for today is the evil thereof. That is King James
for: Don't worry about tomorrow, for today has everything it needs to
knock you senseless.

As my friends in 12 step groups say: One Day at a Time.

Day 19: January 24, 2006 1:26 p.m. Church Office

2006-01-24T11:54:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 7
Total miles walked so far: 186
Miles in the Special Account: 4

I have a new mileage category. I am calling it ‘Miles in the Special Account’. Let me explain how that happened.

I got behind on Sunday. First there was the rain, then four services, lunch with the fam, more rain, a delayed, but greatly needed nap, more rain, and finally… an emergency. Thanks to a long and restful late night walk with my wife the day was not a total loss.

I did make up a little ground yesterday, but I am now behind again. I went to a local hospital at 5:30 a.m. this morning. I have a long time member who has surgery this morning. His grown son will have open heart surgery this morning as well. One surgery suite, two family members, and one waiting room filled with prayerful caregivers.

My ‘walk with God’ this morning was on an elevator, and down a back hall, and across a parking lot. There is not much to describe. This was no walk on the seawall, just another day in the life of a Pastor, but no ordinary day for the wife and mother who awaits a word on her family.

I called my friend last night to tell him I could not join him. His first response was: ‘Then I will walk for you.’ On my way to the hospital I saw him; alone in the darkness and cold he was walking for me. He made the long loop. I bagged four miles and never broke a sweat.

I am going to do my best to walk 1,000 miles without my special account. But just in case, the miles are there. Like a worried dad who puts extra money in the lunch room account, my friend bagged a few miles in my account.

I learned Sunday, that getting behind was very frustrating, even debilitating. Thoughts of failure crept in for the first time. What if I do get sick? What if things get too crazy around here? Can I make my miles and prepare for The Path to The Cross?

I was reminded yesterday of a phrase found in the 23rd Psalm. ‘Thy rod and staff, they comfort me.’ It is an interesting phrase. The Psalmist found comfort in knowing God was the attentive shepherd who would cold cock [rod] any enemy or wild animal and yank him back in line [staff] any time he lagged behind or fell off the beaten path. I guess you could call it ‘God’s assertive grace’.

I heard a revival preacher, in my youth, who said that once you left God’s perfect path for your life you could never experience God’s full joy in your life. I found that to be a stifling view of God’s providence. Where is the grace in that view?

We need grace; both from God and friends. I will count on God to whip all distractions and give me a yank in the right direction if I veer from the path. I have friends who will carry me along when I lag behind.

A little grace is always good, isn’t it?

p.s. A couple of hours have passed since I first typed this. I skipped lunch and walked The Path. It was great to get caught up a little. Caught up with God that is, the miles will take care of themselves.

Day 18: January 23, 2006 9:36 a.m. Church Office

2006-01-23T08:50:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 6
Total miles walked so far: 173

I was trying to figure out what to title today’s blog. I thought of calling it ‘The Blog Blooper’ or ‘The Blog Blip’. I received a phone call late Friday night from a concerned church member. The member had alerted us earlier in the week and I thought we had found a remedy. It seems that there was a button you could push on the blog website which would randomly send you to another blog. Some of those blog sights were inappropriate. Churches are a lot like hospitals. You never want to get sick on the weekend and have to go to the hospital. Conversely, you never want to have a technology problem at a church on a weekend either. That is why The Blog was down for a day; my apologies.

But first, A WORD OF WARNING: PLEASE DO NOT CLICK ON THE 'NEXT BLOG' BUTTON IN THE TOP RIGHT CORNER!!! WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THAT MATERIAL!!!!

It is sad that we live in a world of disclaimers isn’t it? I wish I could insulate the church from all influences of the world, but that is impossible isn’t it? A few years ago I went home from the Super Bowl to discover that there was a ‘wardrobe malfunction’. I never knew because our church turned the game off at half time to hear a report from a mission trip. Other churches left the game on and experienced an awful truth: the world in which we live bleeds over into every aspect of our lives.

Being on the internet is inherently risky for churches. You are always a single mouse click away from danger. Some churches have ads in movie theaters. I saw a church add followed by a movie add that was inappropriate. Television commercials by churches always run the risk of being followed by beer commercials. I am certain some churches avoid all of these avenues so they can avoid the risk of being tainted.

Having said that; this blog is a risk worth taking. I think the new blog site is bullet proof, but in the end I am not sure. To be sure, if you go on and read this blog, never leave this site and you will be safe. I have received many calls of people wondering why the blog was down. They have enjoyed reading it and the comments as well. So we are up as quickly as possible again. Once again, I am sorry for the slightest of inconveniences.

Jesus prayed that His disciples would be in the world and not of the world. That is the key to being a Christian in today’s world. It is a risky venture, but worth the effort.

I need to ask you a favor. Please take tomorrow’s blog and send it to 25 people on your e-mail address book. It is time to do a little internet evangelism. Remember the word for evangelism comes from a Greek word which means ‘good news’. A little ‘good news’ on the internet would never hurt anyone would it?

Day 15: January 20, 2006 12:26 p.m. Church Office

2006-01-20T10:57:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 6
Total miles walked so far: 147

Today I went for a six mile walk on the Galveston Seawall. It was magnificent. I began in the darkness and ended watching the sunrise. It was cloudy and overcast which was all the better. The clouds added a surreal touch and the illumination of the sunlight on the waves was spectacular. As I walked, I watched a lone surfer ease out into the gulf.

You see, bad days for us; for example forty mile per hour winds, can be great days for surfers. When Hurricanes come, we bale out. When Hurricanes come, surfers flock to beaches and shorelines along the Texas coast. One man’s fear is another man’s rush.

I was asked an interesting question by a church member Wednesday night. The question was; ‘How is the walk going?’ My response was; ‘Fine.’ A man nearby overheard and said; ‘How will it be when the weather turns bad?’ You know, he had a point. As I looked back at my journaling the weather has been great. More than great it has been perfect. I have been fortunate. However, with a state wide fire ban in place due to drought, my fortune is another’s man’s misfortune.

James 1:2 Count it pure joy when you encounter life’s various trials, knowing this, the trying of your faith produces endurance.

Good weather is good, but not a cause for celebration. Bad weather would be a cause for celebration. If my 1,000 mile walk never has an obstacle, what fun would there be in that? If your faith walk never hit a speed bump, where would the joy be? Growth comes from resistance and strain and work and challenges.

The question remains: ‘How will the walk go when the weather turns bad?’ That is really life’s ultimate question isn’t it? How will your walk with Christ be when the weather turns bad?

Have you seen my umbrella?

Day 14: January 19, 2006 8:17 a.m. Church Office

2006-01-19T06:30:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 5
Total miles walked so far: 137

I am in a rush to get away for a staff retreat. I got a great e-mail from a friend. I am reprinting this with his permission.

Ed,
Amen to your words this morning. We Type A's (recovering or not) are a bit handicapped and remain challenged (at times) in our quest to ease the burden associated with the fear of not achieving our goals or failure to succeed at whatever endeavor we embrace.

We really have only one true remedy - a consistent and (hopefully) continuous walk with our God as you (and Micah before you in 6:8) have stated.

Some of my 06 goals as a Christian Type A include:
* being Busy, not Burdened
* focussing on Excellence, not Success

Of course, with God at my side, these are very achievable; without him, nearly impossible.

Good luck to all of us in our attempt to consistently walk with God in our everyday lives. It's up to us to find the discipline to do this - we know God will take care of his part.

Thanks,
Lew

Day 13: January 18, 2006 7:28 a.m. Church Office

2006-01-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 6
Total miles walked so far: 127

I am piddling around the house this morning about 7:00 a.m., after a great walk with two friends. I hear the news reporter say: 'There is a man who is going on a long walk and chronicling it on a blog on the internet. That story next!' For just a moment I think, 'Wow could that be me?' Then the reporter said: 'People call this adventure Fat Man Walking.' I grew pale. I rushed to the office and checked out the web site; imagine my relief.

The website is actually called FatManWalking.com. It is an amazing story about a man who is walking across America, in an attempt to regain his health, his life, and his 'dignity'. I prayed for him. It is a courageous thing to do. If you look at the Texas pictures, you will see a giant cross. That cross is in Groom, where I was first a pastor.

He is walking to 'regain his dignity.' That is a journey worthy of literature or even better, an opera. Homer's Odyssey is, after all, the story of a man seeking his destiny. This isn't just an odyssey or an adventure; this is a man trying to save his life.

I wondered about his wife and children. Did they bless his journey? This has to be a struggle for them as well. Are they prepared for the changes they will encounter when he returns home thinner, stronger, and wiser?

In Homer's Odyssey, the hero of the story is named Odysseus. When he leaves, he empowers his friend and gifted teacher, Mentor, to have the responsibility of raising his son, Telemachus, in his absence. Who has been left to 'mentor' and care for this man's family in his absence? Those answers are probably in the website. I plan on reading further.

Here's the point: walking 'the path' is more enjoyable when we bring our loved ones along. My wife is walking some with me. We are both learning and growing together.

We have shared experiences in common. 'The Path' is best when shared.

My prayer is that you will join me on this pilgrimage and respond to this blog. Let's make it a dialogue and not just a journal. 'The Path' is a little smoother and a little less treacherous when shared with people we trust and love.

Day 12: January 17, 2006 9:55 a.m.

2006-01-17T08:20:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 5
Total miles walked so far: 118

I walked with a friend yesterday. We talked about a specific verse in Psalm 120. In Eugene Peterson’s The Message, the verse says: They smile so sweetly, but lie through their teeth.

Everyone can relate to that text. We all have people who smile at us and lie through their teeth. Quite frankly, the text is so brutally truthful that it catches us off guard. It’s almost too real, too confessional, and too honest.

Remember the context; these are songs the Israelites sang on their way up to Jerusalem to The Passover. Jesus sang these songs. On His way to Jerusalem Jesus was swarmed by an unruly entourage. Besides all the Disciples, the Marys and Marthas, the curious and the opportunistic; there were the Pharisees and Sadducees. A careful reading of the Gospels reveals that Jesus confronted them all the way to Jerusalem on this pilgrimage.

I imagine Jesus singing this verse as he looked at His betrayers. They smile so sweetly, but they lie through their teeth. Amazingly ironic don’t you think?

The Bible says that Jesus was tempted in every way as we are tempted. Jesus had enemies. We have enemies. Jesus never let His enemies determine His course or path.
He was always proactive and not reactive. There is a lot to be learned isn’t there?

Day 11: January 16, 2006 9:08 a.m. Church Office

2006-01-16T08:49:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 7
Total miles walked so far: 107

For some of you, today is your first time to visit a blog because it’s the first day it’s actually been up on our church web site. A blog is basically a journal. I know computer aficionados would disagree, but who cares. My dream for this site is that would visit it, see what God is teaching me and respond. Blogs work best when they are dialogues. I want you to respond. You will have to apply and it is free, and well worth the trouble.

The response from yesterday’s sermon has been overwhelming. It would have never won a preaching award or even made an A in seminary preaching lab, but it was a chance to be confessional and share from my heart what God is doing. I found out that many of you had the same feelings I have experienced in recent weeks. You too have had a spiritual yearning to get more out of your walk with Christ. Some of you are ready to begin a regimen of physical walks that turn into spiritual pilgrimages.

I want to share a verse of encouragement with this morning. Hebrew12:1-2 says: Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, and let us lay aside any encumbrances and the sin that will so easily beset us so that we can run with endurance the race that is set before us.

The point I think is this, when we think about walking we think about shedding a few pounds. When God talks about us walking with Him, He wants us to shed a few things as well, like encumbrances [bad attitudes and habits?] and sins [fill in your own blank and keep it private, which is between you and God!]. Walking is harder with extra weight. The Christian Walk is harder with old spiritual baggage. But here is the advantage of the spiritual walk. Pounds are hard to take off, but because of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness you can lighten your spiritual load today. That, my friend, is good news.

What do you say to God on a walk? How about, ‘I know it’s been a while, but I would like to catch you up on what I have been up to, By the way, it’s not gone all that well without you.’ Or maybe you could say: ‘I know it’s been a while, and there are a few things I need to get off my chest.’ You get the idea.

On talk radio people often say: ‘First time caller, long time listener.’ I need some long time listeners to respond to the blog so the dialogue can begin. Thanks

Day 8: January 13, 2006 11:12 a.m. Church Office

2006-01-16T06:26:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 6
Total miles walked so far: 76

When you are obsessed with something you see references to your obsession everywhere.
For example, I was reading a copy of the Baptist Standard. There were stories of Advent so I am guessing I was at least a month behind. Never the less, I came across an article about stress. U.C.L.A. conducted a study of students in stressful situations. Using good controls and procedure they discovered that those who meditated on personal values before undergoing stress filled events fared better than those who made no preparation.

I have found that walking three times a day for a total of almost three hours a day does a lot for you. Besides all the obvious; feeling better, more energy, etc., the best benefit I have seen is a reduction of stress.

Our lives are not geared to handle stress. In my role as counselor one of the things I prescribe for people who are struggling with depression is increased exercise. In years gone by stress was alleviated often times by every day life. Chopping wood by hand, walking to work, doing laundry by hand all provided wonderful outlets for stress. We now have machines that will that for us. It seems every time we invent a machine that makes life easier we find away to avoid the exercise and work that reduces stress.

Couple a vigorous early morning walk made immediately following a devotional, then you have a winning combination.

My sister-in-law asked my wife one time if she ever thought about getting a new dish washer.

My wife thought for a second, patted me on the back and said; No, I think I will keep him a while longer.

Any conversation above about inventions does not include the remote control which I consider to be divinely inspired.

Day 7: January 12, 2006 10:29a.m. Church Office

2006-01-12T10:06:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 5
Total miles walked so far: 65

Friends have great ideas. They are especially helpful when they are a part of a secret. I don’t tell the congregation about my 1,000 mile walk until Sunday morning, but a few already know. I get all kinds of helpful hints.

Buy reflective gear. Get good shoes. Stay on the sidewalk. Don’t walk with women after dark. Don’t overdo it. Get a nano/shuffle/ipod.

The best yet was a friend who shared this advice: Play golf, but walk rather than ride. The average golf course is 7,200 yards long which is about 4.4 miles. When you add distances between tees and distances between errant shots the mileage adds up. According to my friend, as bad as I am, I could easily rack up eight miles. I bought in hook, line, and sinker.

Then I remembered why I was doing this to begin with. The whole purpose was to ‘walk with God.’ It would be hard if not impossible for me to ‘walk with God’ and play golf at the same time. I have, on occasion, become ‘frustrated’ on the golf course. I cannot imagine that being conducive to spirituality.

Mark Twain called golf a ‘good walk interrupted’. He was right, at least in this case.

Jesus said to His followers: ‘Go into your prayer closet, and when you pray, pray in secret.’ I love the out of doors. It has always been my prayer closet. God and I have had remarkable times fishing for trout and sitting on a deer stand or watching a sun rise over the Katy Prairie. The best part about walking is that I can be outside and still alone. To the casual observer, I am walking. I know that I am spending time with God.

Well, its time to go in the prayer closet. It is 64 degrees and sunny in my closet, and the birds are singing, and…well you got the picture.

Day 6: January 11, 2006 9:21 a.m. Church Office

2006-01-11T13:07:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 5
Total miles walked so far: 55

I decided to do New Year’s Resolutions a little differently this year. The old ones were so monotonous and so unfulfilled. How many years in a row could I say: lose weight, exercise more, spend less, study more, pray more, complain less? Something never clicked. This year I decided on one: walk with God more.

I think the average church member perceives ministers in ways which are unrealistic. Often times it is my fault because I perpetuate this myth: I AM ED HOGAN, MIGHTY MAN OF GOD. My friends know that is simply not true. Why do I feel the need to propagate such lies? The truth is, I am a fellow pilgrim and struggler. Inevitably the sermons I preach which draw the greatest affirmation are the ones I feel worst about. It seems that when I am confessional and honest, I may feel insecure, but that insecurity speaks to people. They draw strength from knowing that I struggle too.

A friend of mine, when asked what he does, responds: ‘I spread God’s cheer to the sick and infirmed wherever they may be.’ It took me a while to realize that he was saying that tongue in cheek. ‘Wherever they may be’ was the key phrase. The sick and infirmed are everywhere and I am among them and one of them.

I guess I said all of that to make a confession in the form of a question: Does the resolution I have chosen sound too pious? It is not what I intended, but I wonder.

What are the top two responses to this question? Why don’t people attend church?
1. They have never met a Christian. 2. They have met a Christian. The world grows weary of spiritual arrogance.

Maybe the key is the verse Micah 6:8: What does God require of you; but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

I think the key is humility. Some days humility comes easier than others.

As I left the house last week to go on my walk my daughter yells: Run, Forrest, Run!

She loves me. She really does. She says I am special. Special Ed.

Day 5: January 10, 2006 9:07 a.m.

2006-01-10T07:20:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 5
Total miles walked so far: 45

I walked this morning with Mark at 5:15 a.m. That is my normal routine. The difference is that today it was raining…and cold…and windy. In the past I would have slept in, but today I didn’t. As a matter of fact, after my walk with Mark I walked my son’s dog for a mile. Her name is Holly Jolly Christmas and she is a yellow lab. Our walk was deterred some by her determination to play in a neighbor’s water sprinkler.

As Holly Jolly Christmas splashed about in the rain and the water sprinklers with unabashed joy, a car passed. I could only imagine someone saying: ‘He is too dumb to get out of the rain.’ I was, but it was worth it.

Today I realized I have been in a long term state of ‘low grade depression.’ It was not the debilitating type of depression that needs meds or therapy, just that nagging sense that all was not well. In the cover of darkness and the cold rain I thanked God for allowing the sun to shine in my life once again.

Day 4: January 9, 2006 3:29 p.m. My Office

2006-01-10T07:18:00.000-08:00

I had an encouraging call this morning. I shared this idea with a friend and she went walking. She walked three miles. She shared with me everything God told her in the walk. She even veered from her normal path so that it was a new walk and not the same old walk.

That excites me. If this idea catches on, it will catch on one person at a time. If the idea catches on, it will take on a different look with every new 'walker'. And such it is with the Kingdom of God: one at a time, each believer unique and different.

So much of what we do as a 'nearly mega-church' [my wife accuses me of pulpit envy] is based on the idea of 'mass'. Let's do a 'mass' mail out. Does this speak to the 'masses'? Is this idea ' big enough'? Sometimes we forget that people still come to Christ one at a time.

The 'masses' made the pilgrimage from Galilee to Jerusalem at Passover. Only a handful were there at the end. The 'masses' praised Jesus, but only Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimethea were there at burial.

This morning I walked three miles on my pilgrimage. Mark, Dan, and Judy walked three miles on their pilgrimage. God said different things to us all. I eventually hope that the majority of my church will join me on the walk. If they do, it will be one person at a time.

p.s. I am going walking now! I am behind today.

Day 3: January 8, 2006 4:39 p.m.

2006-01-09T12:40:00.000-08:00

Miles walked so far today: 6
Total miles walked so far: 27

I wondered how Sundays would be. We have four services on Sunday morning. Sound check begins shortly after 7:00 a.m., and it just rolls from there. I woke up at 5:00 a.m. and began walking shortly thereafter. I walked a little over an hour and made right at 4 miles. It really went great. I had a lot of time to think about what I would say today. I had new thoughts. New thoughts aren't that common for me some days, so they are always welcome.

One of those thoughts involved Jesus. In Matthew 20:17-19 it says that Jesus and His disciples went up to Jerusalem. That one small word... up... is so important. This was more than a trip, and these disciples were more than tourists. They were pilgrims, and they were heading toward an encounter with God. Anywhere you walked in Israel it was always 'up' to the temple. In making this journey, the disciples were heading up toward God, and God was making the journey with them. Long before it dawned on them that they were heading toward God, God had found them and was nudging them up the hill.

We know Jesus faithfully kept the Jewish holidays and ritual and tradition. From birth we find Him in the temple having turtle doves sacrificed. Once again we find Him as a boy of twelve preparing to become a man. The I AM passages in John cannot be understood without understanding their context in The Feast of the Tabernacles. All of that means that Jesus sang the songs Peterson wrote about and I will be preaching on. What would that have been like? Would they have sounded more like Pavarotti or Bill Gaither? Rich Mullins or Larnell Harris? Or even like my dad, who can make cats run for cover, but sings with a heart of passion and grace?

My presupposition is simple: Jesus kept the traditions, therefore the ascent Psalms were the songs He sang as He headed to Golgotha. These were not the silly songs one sings on a jaunt to Disneyworld. This was not Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo singing Mockingbird. [If you have to ask, you are too young or sophisticated to have seen the original movie Vacation.] These were ancient songs of faith sung by the one who had inspired them to begin with. These were no tourists, and this was no travel guide. This was a pilgrimage, and this was the Son of God, and they were on their way to destiny.

I have seen reporters speak of last meals and last minute confessionals of death row inmates. I have heard reporters speak of the books inmates requested to comfort them. Jesus was on death row, and His book of choice was the Psalms. He had sung these songs before, but they had new meaning now.

'I will lift up my eyes to the hills from which my help comes. My help comes from the Lord.'

Do you ever wish you could travel back in time? What would it be like to go back in time and hear Jesus sing those words? Just a thought. By the way, I feel great. Who knew exercise could actually give you energy?

Maybe I could start a twelve step group. Hi. My name is Ed Hogan, and I am a recovering couch potato.

Day 2: January 7, 2006 10:35 a.m.

2006-01-09T12:39:00.000-08:00

I don't know why, but the word accountability has a negative connotation at times for me. That's actually a lie. I do know why, but I will get to that later.

I emailed six good friends this week. All except one had no idea what I was asking them to do. The request was simple but inconvenient. I asked them to meet me at my office Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. That's right... a.m. I only told them to bring their walking shoes, and that I had a new idea. We once constructed a replica of Titanic in the Worship Center for a sermon illustration, so they are not likely to be surprised by new revelations.

And they came. That's what friends do, they come. And we walked, and we talked. That too, is what friends do. They walk with you, not away from or against you.

I realized before I began The Path [by the way, we came up with a name for this adventure] that I could never do this alone. If the alarm goes off, and it's cold and raining, it's too easy to do one of two things: go back to sleep or go duck hunting. If I am on my own, options one or two would never let me get to option three, which is walking my three or four miles. But if I know my friend is waiting on me, then I will get up, get dressed, mumble occasionally, whine incessantly, and head out for my walk. That is what friends do. They show up rain or shine. I may not miss walking, but I don't want to miss the fellowship.

Back to why I dislike the 'a' word. When I came to Jersey Village, the former pastor had been engaged in a moral indiscretion. The first week I was here, someone I barely knew said he wanted to hold me accountable. We would meet weekly, and I would answer a series of questions. Did you lie to your wife this week? Did you look at inappropriate television? Did you look at another woman this week? Etc. The questions were actually much more graphic than that. He said, 'I don't want to be hurt again. I will not be hurt again.'

We reached a compromise of sorts. I would speak weekly to a friend, and that would suffice. I think this is what I have learned. Accountability only works in friendship, not under control or manipulation. Accountability works best when it is asked for and not when it is pressed upon someone.

I have asked these men to walk with me. That means they are free to help and encourage and advise and support. I trust them. That's why I want their support. I could not make it without them. If I am to walk 1,000 miles, I will need help.

I asked a friend today, 'What should I do if I get sick and can't walk?' He said, 'Then I will walk for you.'

That's what friends do.

Day 1: January 6, 2006 7:10 a.m. Church Office

2006-01-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day of a 1,000 mile journey for me. In the next 100 days I hope to walk 1,000 miles. If you think that's nuts you should have heard my first idea. Imagine Marion's face when I told her I was walking 1,000 miles during Lent. She has always been the brains of the operation. Why do this? I have been inspired by a book by Eugene Peterson. He has written a book on the songs the Israelites sang as they climbed Mount Zion for Passover. Touched by the idea of a pilgrimage of sorts and seeing that a trip to Israel is not in my budget or time availability, I decided to go on my own walk.

There are some ground rules. The 10 miles a day have to be intentional miles. Did you know that you will walk 7 to 8 miles today in normal life activities? The miles I will walk will be time spent with members and friends and alone with God. I will flesh out details alont the way. I actually feel a little like Indiana Jones: I am making this up as I go.

As I have shared this with a couple of confidants the questions are inevitable: How do you chronicle the miles? How do you verify them? Who will walk with you? What do you do if someone wants to walk with you every day? What if too many want to walk? What if no one wants to walk with you?

I am still trying to come up with a name for all of this. What would Rick Warren call it? I have come up with Walk the Line [would have to dress in black and that poses a safety concern at 5:00 a.m.], The Long and Winding Road [imagine me with a mop top], Walk the Walk [not bad], The Road Less Traveled [too obscure], The Odyssey [too dramatic], The Pilgrimage [Bo Pilgrim and his stupid hat... enough said], or Journey [too Canadian].

Someone told me yesterday: Don't worry - God wil tell you tomorrow. I am six miles in and no name yet. I did have an epiphany of sorts: Imagine what a better place the world would be if everyone got up and walked with God this morning. What a better life I would have if I got up and walked with God every morning. I would be a different person. Six miles in and no noticeable changes yet. Discipleship is not achieved in a morning or in a mile. It takes time... and energy... and work... and patience.

Well, here's to new starts. I will walk ten miles every day [God willing], and I know God desires to spend time with me. That's reason enough to lace 'em up and head out. I have to go. I am still 4 miles short and at my pace that might take a while.