upward & inward

Today is the day which has been set aside by our nation to give thanks.  Organized declarations of thanksgiving have been a part of cultures for thousands of years.  So, we gather to give thanks to God, not to celebrate a simple pilgrim meal that happened long ago.  Although not the first leader to do so, Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, made a proclamation of Thanksgiving in 1863.  After describing the "bounties" of harvest, new frontiers, and natural resources of a country still struggling in a time of war, the President goes on to say, [These] are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who ...

A few months ago, my Uncle Tom Smith passed from this life into the next one - an eternal and everlasting life spent with his "Boss", Jesus Christ. As I prepared my brief observations for that memorial service, I uncovered something unexpected. The Clean Cup. The second paid job I ever had was as the "ice boy" at a local nursing home (that's what they were called back then). Once the ice pitchers were filled, I had the job of feeding the patients and cleaning up before I went home - about 3 hours per evening.  My brief tenure at this home taught me more than I bargained for at 15-16 years of age.  I observed families in good times and bad, struggling relationships, tough decisions, and, of course, dementia. All who had dementia, struggled with it - the patient and the family. But, what I observed most was the different responses to dementia.  Some patients handled it well. Others didn't. Which brings me back to my uncle. Regardless of his battle w...

This last Sunday, I announced my resignation from Central Community Church as Executive Pastor. My last Sunday will be on December 8, but my official last day on staff will be November 30. For the last several months, Pastor Bob (our Senior Pastor) and I have been working closely to transition him into the call that God has placed upon his life.  Now, we both agree that it's time for me (and the family) to step out in faith toward the calling that God has placed upon me: to Preach, Teach, and Lead. Within hours - seriously, hours - of that decision, God began opening doors that were previously closed or unknown.  Preliminary conversations began that continue weeks later. What comes next, I don't know.  But this I do: forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14).  But, isn't each day supposed to be that way? I'm pra...

As we look toward the next generation, we wonder. What will they be like? Will they step up to the challenges in store for them? Will they stand firm? Here's my youngest son Isaac's first sermon . Well. Done. Isaac!

On Friday, November 26, 2010, Richard "Dick" Buehler, Sherry's Grandpa, passed on to his eternity with Jesus. I met him soon after I began dating Sherry, my bride. And, over 23 years later, I've learned a lot from him. Here are just a few observations: Grandpa loved. This was not the emotional, sappy, temporary kind of love that our common culture seems to advocate. In his generation, love was a "many splendored thing". In mine, it was a battlefield. But, the love I'm describing is God's love, the love Christ commanded us to have toward one another ( John 13:34-35 ). This love was the one Jesus described as none greater (that a man would lay down his own life for another - John 15:13 ). A love that was patient, kind - not rude, envious, boastful, or proud. This love delighted in the truth, not evil, keeping no record of wrongs. This kind of love always trusts, hopes, perseveres, and protects. This love never fails . He demonstrated that love for his ...

This week, my son Lewis enjoyed his last day of High School.  Wow.  It's hard to believe that he's 18 and ready to complete a major milestone in his life.  In addition to graduating from High School, I chose this time to hold a ceremony of sorts to declare our common understanding of what it means to be a man. In a previous post , I wrote how I believe that men of God are called to obey His will, work as He leads, and love a godly woman without condition.  Well, this week, Lewis and came to the agreement that a man of God: rejects passivity, accepts responsibility, leads courageously, and  and expects the greater reward. This is completely counter to what the world defines a man to be - essentially a human male .   Being a male is possessing a specific arrangement of chromosomes.  Being a man is a choice. So, this is what he and I agreed upon this weekend as a few godly men surrounded Lewis, prayed for him, and witnessed his decision.  I thank God for what He has done, is doing...

In a few short weeks, Sherry and I will have been married for 21 years (that's her at a Mercy Me concert a few weeks ago). Wow. Here are some thoughts on the first twenty-one and the next... Marriage, as a particular relationship, is transformational, NOT transactional. What?! Anyone or anything which transforms, must lose itself first. The butterfly is no longer a caterpillar. The baby is no longer an ovum. And I am, thank God, no longer the guy she met so long ago. While I remain me, I am no longer me. I am the me who is joined with Sherry. And, she is no longer Sherry but the Sherry who is joined with greg. We're different - because we're united. We rely on each other to be who God has called us each to be - individually AND united with one to the other. I love to hear her laugh and she still makes me laugh. I love being with her - in fact, there is no one on this planet with whom I'd rather be. While there have been times in our relationship when I have not demonstr...

Tomorrow is the day. My son Cameron turns 16 years old and we're going to Lost Valley for my annual trek of re-creation. This will be my 11th time there, where at the first visit, 10 years ago, my life was changed. I was challenged, chafed, and humbled. Each year has improved over the last and I am SO looking forward to the experience. This men's retreat often collides with Cameron's birthday. But, this year, he's going with me. We'll have plenty of windshield time followed by impactful seminars, great food, unbelievable views of God's creation, and warm conversations. Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate. - Psalm 127:3-5 I am SO blessed.

In the decades since we first met Time and love we've spent Love from flame and ember coal yet tender Time spent seeking What we should know but long to uncover with thrill of newness often spent. If I knew it then, I know more now Your beauty, shimmer Deeper still, still deeper All from the One who dwells within All so that you love, love deeply since He loved deepest before you were. In the decades to come may we uncover with delight all that we discover through Him who loving us deeply gave us one to the other, my bride, my love, vision and fragrance, joy and grace.

When I was in third grade, my teacher Miss Campbell encouraged me to write poetry. I loved it. I would write poems for her and be so happy with her genuinely kind responses to my struggling attempts at being the next James Whitcomb Riley , a famous Indiana poet and her favorite. My niece, Kristin Baker, is a poet. I suppose she has written hundreds of poems and readily shares them with us on her blog . I encourage you to read them...they're inspirational as is she. She's married to a great guy and they have a precocious, intelligent, and beautiful little girl who has all the makings of a Christ-filled world-changer. The Bible says that we are not to boast except to boast in the Lord. So, I boast that God is doing a great work in my sweet-niece!

Today is my sister Robbie's Birthday. My kids have always called her Aunt Buh. The reason? My son Cameron, when he was young, wouldn't call her Robbie - always Buh. "Cameron, say Rah." "Rah" "Say Bee" "Bee" "Say Rah-Bee" "Buh" So, it stuck. I'm so thankful to God for what He has done in Robbie's life through some recent and difficult years. By His grace, she daily becomes more and more like the Proverbs 31 woman He has called her to be. I'm thankful I can call her my sister - both by blood and by His Spirit.

Today, I read a blog posting by Mark Beeson, Sr. Pastor of Granger Community Church. In it, he offers true and loving encouragement to a dear friend who just lost his 27 year-old daughter in an automobile accident. I held back the tears as I read these words: "Gene," I said. "I've known many fathers. I've watched them. I've seen how they care for their daughters. I've seen them raise their kids." Pulling him close I told him the truth I knew. "Gene, you are a great father to Rachael. She couldn't have had a better dad. She got up every day knowing you loved her. She soared because of your love. You gave her what she needed to be a wonderful wife and devoted Christian. Her years were enriched by her Daddy's love." I finished by saying, "You're a great man. You're a great father. Rachael enjoyed what many daughter's never experience, the love of a wonderful father. You did well Gene. I'm proud of you." Wow. ...

Got a chance to meet with Sherry's Grandpa. Dick is 91 years old - still living on his own and still sharp in mind. I've only know him for 21 years but I've always liked him. He's a good man with a good heart who isn't afraid (even now) to tell me what he thinks ("this is my opinion and it's for free..."). It was great to watch my boys really listen to their Great-grandpa share his stories - so that they can remember him and the wisdom he so readily shares. Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. (Pro 17:6)

My son Isaac has an interesting habit he picked up from his brothers. He will walk into the room where I am and begin whatever he says to me with "...but Dad..." I typically respond with "...and Dad?" He then smiles and corrects himself with "and Dad" before launching into whatever he was going to say. Any conjunction (but, and, however, etc.) implies a previous statement - by either side of the conversation. In Isaac's case, there is no obvious previous statement - and he's getting MUCH better at starting with "and Dad.." No, to me it seems like an ongoing conversation between us. I love that and hope there will always be an ongoing conversation between us regardless of which conjunction he uses. Thinking about this with regard to the Father's relationship with His Son, I wonder if Jesus began in the same way, "and Dad?" Shouldn't we consider our conversations with Him in the same way?

Dr. Emmerson and Sarah Eggerichs came to Central on Oct. 4 and 5 to present the Biblical approach to marriage based on Ephesians 5:22-33 - namely, that Love AND Respect are to abound in marriage. Here are some further thoughts and discoveries from the conference: The way men and women interract is not wrong...just different. The crazy cycle: When wives feel unloved, they respond disprectfully. When husbands feel disrespected, they respond unlovingly. Husbands breaking the cycle: "When you say (or do) that, I feel disprespected. Have I done or said something unloving to cause you to respond in that way?" Wives breaking the cycle: "When you say (or do) that, I feel unloved. Have I done or said something disrespectful to cause you to respond in that way?" Jesus is fixated upon each of His believers in every little thing accomplished for Him. This means that although we may not feel like treating our spouses well - husbands loving wives, wives respecting husbands - it...

In June and July 2007, my family and I were blessed to visit my daughter, Katharina, in Germany to attend her high school graduation celebration. It was great fun and an experience none of us shall soon forget. When we left, we had to say goodbye to Katharina. What made it even more sad was that we had no idea how long it would be until we saw each other again. Looking through some pictures recently, I came across a snapshot my sister took of me and Katharina as we shared those last moments together, saying goodbye to one another. Given that Katharina has been unable to come visit us due to her university and work schedule, this picture not only captures those moments but reminds me again of how much I miss her. Sweet girl, come see us soon!

Today is my parents anniversary. 57 years ago, they began a journey together in which they're still progressing. Happy Anniversary, Bob and Marilyn Smith!!

Wow. This is a true story of a father and a son who have saved each other lives in many ways. Here is an excerpt from the Team Hoyt site : "Dick and Rick Hoyt are a father-and-son team from Massachusetts who together compete just about continuously in marathon races. And if they’re not in a marathon they are in a triathlon — that daunting, almost superhuman, combination of 26.2 miles of running, 112 miles of bicycling, and 2.4 miles of swimming. Together they have climbed mountains, and once trekked 3,735 miles across America. "It’s a remarkable record of exertion — all the more so when you consider that Rick can't walk or talk. "For the past twenty five years or more Dick, who is 65, has pushed and pulled his son across the country and over hundreds of finish lines. When Dick runs, Rick is in a wheelchair that Dick is pushing. When Dick cycles, Rick is in the seat-pod from his wheelchair, attached to the front of the bike. When Dick swims, Rick is in a small but hea...

Attention, attention. My bride, sweet Sherry Smith, now has a blog. Go here to read her first posting. Way to go, Sherry!

We've been on vacation at Breckenridge all week. What a great time! While it was sunny and very nice, we were at 9700 feet above sea level - and in June, this can still mean snow. This morning, as we left, here is the scene from our balcony overlooking the pool. Praise God for how he shakes things up!