Author: Wick

Husband, Father, Pastor, Missionary, Writer, Poet, Friend, reader, coffee enthusiast, hockey Wing-Nut, musical participator, etc...
Posted in Different Moments, Different Thoughts

everything must be captured.

Posted on by Wick

It could simply be that I’ve just finished reading “The Circle” by Dave Eggers, but the new Apple holiday ad strikes me as illustrating an important question: How much is “enough”?

I know it may come across as “bah, humbug”, because everyone seems to love this ad.

But I’m not a huge fan.

Many years ago, we’d have been happy to have one still-shot picture that reminded us of an entire day, perhaps even an entire trip.  Then digital cameras hit, and we have unlimited shots.  Then video became easier to fit on small storage, so we need to get lots of videos, etc.  Now most of our cell phones have the capability to do what complex digital cameras did years ago.

So the above ad illustrates what they hope will be a positive message.  “Don’t misinterpret that young man in the corner using his cell phone most of the trip, because he may actually be using it to put together a warm, heart-felt family collage that will touch your heart.”  Riiiiiight.  Even if the teens hiding in technology corners this holiday season have these things in mind……my question is, “Is it worth it?”

Many of us have attended “Holiday” events already this season, where we sit back to take in the show, only to have several tiny screens pop-up in front of us – as eager parents (myself included) try to capture some images/video of the precious moment.  The same goes for every event that happens throughout our days.  I think I’ve posted on this before, but it deserves to be thought of, as many of us head into precious family hours together.

Sure, snap some pictures.  Snap some video.  But don’t elevate capturing the moment for later to become more important than being 100% present in experiencing the moment right now.  Create more memories, and less photo-books.  Our Grandparents seem like far less anxious people for a reason – it’s not just because they’re old.  It’s because most of them grew up knowing how to be completely present in the moment.  Not able to capture every sight and sound, they were content to actually breathe slow and deep these moments of being together….or alone.

Not to romanticize being “technology-less”…the video of family the boy makes is pretty great, and will be meaningful for the family as the years pass.  But let’s notice what he sacrifices to make that video too.  May our children know we value experiencing moments with them, more than capturing those moments for later…

Posted in Uncategorized

possessed.

Posted on by Wick

This week we light the advent candle for “Joy”, and it brings with it a good reminder.  Most of us probably don’t use the word “joy” much throughout the year in every day conversation.  But in scriptures the word comes from “chairos” (not “kairos”), which is a verb meaning “to be glad, to be well, to thrive, to rejoice”.  We might quickly subsume such a thing into the American dream we’re all pursuing, as a noun we all would like to possess.   Most of us would respond “Yes”, if someone asked us “Would you like to have joy in your life?”

But that is something it does us good to remember, in each of these advent weeks.  Each of these words have their power reduced when they are taken as something to be possessed.  Whether Hope, or Peace, or Joy, or Love…these are most powerful not when they’re owned, but when they’re experienced.  I’d much rather experience Joy, than keep some in my pocket.image

It’s the same with the Christ-child these are all leading up to.  We talk to our children about “having Jesus in their hearts”, and it’s good.  It’s something a child can understand.  But we needn’t stay at that level in our conversations with those who’ve grown intellectually.  We understand that Jesus isn’t actually IN our blood-pumping muscles.   So we must be honest that it’s not quite about us “possessing Jesus”, or “having Him”, as much as it is us releasing ourselves to be “taken by” Him.   Not in a future, rapture-centered experience.  But in a right-now, relinquishing all that once was mine to be overtaken by the flood of Kingdom-moving in our world today.

It’s less like me putting a piece of Jesus in my pocket, and more like me stepping into a torrential flood breaking through barriers of what was, proclaiming what is/what will be.  It’s less about me answering “yes, right here in my heart” to the question of “Do you have Jesus?”….and more about Jesus answering, “yes, right here in my Kingdom-arriving” to the question of “Do you have Chadwick?”

So how do we talk about these things with our children?  Well, I think we at least start, by talking about these things with our children. 🙂   Asking them what thoughts come to mind when they hear the word “Joy”. Asking them what makes them glad.  But not only pointing to memories…helping them to experience the joy of Christ.  Telling them the stories of how Christ has transformed things, and helping them to savor how the world is changing because of what God has done/is doing.

This Christmas, may we worry less about possessing the gift of Jesus Christ….and wonder how we might become possessed BY such a gifting…

Posted in Uncategorized

daddy worries.

Posted on by Wick

It was earlier this week, as we sat around the breakfast table, gathered around “Fruit Spins”, milk, and the advent wreath.  Last week we’d talked about “Hope”, and it was easy to talk to the girls about what we each were hoping for.  The poignant moment coming when it came to our 4 year old daughter, and she was hoping for “God”.  I asked her to clarify….”What do you hope God will do?”

She smiled and said proudly, “Whatever God wants to do!”  Here it is, ladies and gentlemen, the faith of a child. 🙂

So I was waiting this week, for what new nugget of wisdom my own kids were going to throw back at me as we moved into a week focusing on “Peace”.  But “peace” is a bit more complicated than “hope”.  So daddy decided to talk a little about why we need peace.  I asked the girls what they’re afraid of, and what makes them worry.  I received many of the expected responses:     monsters (no, not really, daddy), being sick, scary dreams, and “sometimes when I walk down the stairs and it’s dark in the middle of the night, I think maybe there are some animals coming down behind me who want to eat me.”

sophieDefinitely scary, and worth worrying about.  So we talked about peace, and then daddy decided to get down on their level, and talk about what makes daddy anxious/worried.  That’s when it hit me like a sack of bricks.  I covered it well, but I felt emotion in those moments that I don’t usually give word/time for.  The honest truth is this:

I worry about my family.  My wife.  My kids.  Every time I’m away from them, there’s that back of the mind “thing”.  I can’t wait to hold them again.  To be near them.  To know that they’re alright.  But even in the most peace-filled moments, I’m reminded by the world I’ve lived in so far – there’s no guarantee.  Even when Super-Dad is with them, my children, my wife, and my home are never 100% protected to the point where I have no reason to worry.  There’s always the chance of something unexpected happening.

I remember hearing the phrase growing up, “peace that passes understanding” (Philippians 4:7).  I would smile the silly smile of a young teen who’s confident this verse means no matter what happens in life we’re supposed to smile…to prove we’ve got some sort of “inner peace” that doesn’t make sense to the world.  But twice that age now, and having experienced quite a few situations where a smile is not the appropriate response – I’m thankful for the context to verse 7.

“Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people.  The Lord is near.  Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks.  Then the peace OF GOD that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe IN CHRIST JESUS.” Philippians 4:5-7 (emphasis added)

It’s not about me coming up with the ability to have peace in the midst of life circumstances.  It’s not about me never having a concern.  It’s centered on approaching every concern I have in the context of God, who can handle the big picture.  In the context of Christ being more than capable of keeping our hearts and minds safe.  I’m not to have peace because I have peace.  I’m to have peace because God has peace.

Not in a way that denies horrible things happen.  Because they certainly have, and do, and will.  Nor do we deny these horrible things will shake us to our core sometimes.  We will experience pain, and offense, and brokenness.  But the promise of peace still comes to us, in the presence of Jesus Christ.  The child born in a manger, in whom God proclaims to all of creation, us included, “I am with you.”

And in that….we receive God’s peace which transcends our understanding/abilities.