^"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

John 14: 13-14

First off, let me say it's nice to be writing again.  Life sort of 'happened' over the last several months, and thankfully I've been much busier with my day job, so blogging took a back seat to making a living.  I knew I couldn't stay silent forever.  Thank you for being patient.

I'm sitting at my desk thinking about the struggles that the people on the east coast are dealing with.  The images we're being shown on the news are horrible.  The lines at the gas stations ... the thought of going a week or more without power ... losing everything you ever owned ... and for many, losing loved ones forever.  I found myself trying to find a starting point to pray for that situation, wondering where do I begin?  There are so many in need!  I'm one who likes to pray for specific things, not just "Dear God, help all those people.  Amen."  Not that that is a bad prayer ... no prayer is a bad prayer ... but being the somewhat detail oriented person I am, I prefer to pray in detail.

While thinking about all of this, I wondered what the people in New York and New Jersey, or Pennsylvania and West Virginia,  who don't practice a faith in Jesus are doing right now?  Who, or what, are they calling out to?  The verse above lets Christ followers know what to do, and even how to do it.  But what does everyone else do?

In wondering I'm reminded of a time when I read on Facebook where someone was asking for people to "think positive thoughts" and "send positive energy" regarding a situation.  My response, which for once I kept to myself, was quite callous.  And maybe it's still callous.  What on earth could I do for someone by sitting in my recliner thinking positive thoughts?  And if your name isn't Iron Man, or Storm, what sort of positive energy can you emit that would be strong enough to change the outcome of events?  It's a silly request, and a silly statement, but when you have no other frame of reference, I guess that's all you've got ... your thoughts.

I don't put much weight on thinking positive thoughts in terms of healing one's self, or changing things.  If that's all it took, I would have 'thought' my way to dating the homecoming queen in high school.  If my thought's had that much power, I never would have flunked out of college.  If simply thinking about positive 'things' could change the course of someone's life, I never would have had to deal with depression for six years.  I could have wrapped it all up in an afternoon.  I'm a fan of being positive.  I'm a fan of looking at the glass as being half full.  I'm a fan of approaching problems with a naive optimism.  And I'm a fan of being positive ... but that's just a frame of mind, not a changer of events.

No ... I'd much rather rely on the One who created me than rely on me.  I'd rather pray (i.e., have a one to one conversation with God) about a situation, bringing to the One who can actually do something (He's got a six day resume' that's pretty impressive ... and don't even get me started on what His son can do) than to try to figure out how to summon 'energy' on my own.  

If the events and remnants of hurricane Sandy show us anything, it's how valuable life is.  And how it can be taken from us in a moment.  If you're one who prays, please take a moment out to pray for those affected by Sandy.  If you've never prayed to God, or if you never made a decision to follow Jesus, make that your first prayer.  Tell him you want to start over, that you want him to wipe the slate clean, and that you want to be forgiven.  You won't regret it.

"The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends
will be an outsider at their celebrations."
Proverbs 14:10, The Message

'The heart knows its own bitterness, 
and no stranger can share its joy."
Proverbs 14:10, God's Word translation

"Verse 10 brings out the reality of the inaccessible character of the human heart. According to Scriptural usage, the heart is the center of man's inner life, the center of thought and motivation, and not merely emotion. Only God knows the heart thoroughly, but he does. We are required to operate on the basis of externals. This Proverbs is simply an observation about the nature of human privacy. Our experiences of bitterness, sorrow, or joy are our own, and in some fundamental ways cannot be shared."
Biblical commentary from www.leithart.com


I suppose I could continue cutting and pasting from other websites but I think most of you are just as interested in my opinion and thoughts on the verse above. 

The human heart is an amazing organ.  One of the pastors at my church spoke about the heart this past weekend and did an amazing job, but even he would probably admit that you just can't do it justice by explaining it in a 30 minute sermon.  The heart is both powerful and delicate ... it can withstand years of physical abuse but has a difficult time withstanding even a few seconds or minutes of emotional abuse.  But as the commentary above states, the heart is not just the emotional epicenter of man, it's the place where motivation and thought originate.

I believe I qualify to talk about heartache.  I think, without having to spend any time at all proving my case, that I can speak on the subject of a bruised, and even broken heart.  I'm sure you could too, and I want you to know that I respect that.  I respect what you've endured, and lived through.  I respect the fact that someone, at some time, has broken your heart and yet you decided to move on with your life.  I've been there too, more than I'd care to admit or remember.

It seems I spend a lot of time thinking about my heart.  I seem to wonder more often than not, why I think a certain way or act a certain way when I know I shouldn't.  It was nice to hear the sermon this weekend ... to hear my pastor say the same things ... to know I'm not alone.  Sometimes after these periods of self-examination I feel like there's no way God could love me.  How could he accept someone so prideful, or arrogant, or mean?  Sure, I do some nice things now and then too, but does that outweigh the bad?

Here's what I think I've learned: our good doesn't have to outweigh our bad.  God doesn't care how bad we were, or are, or will be.  I mean, He's not sitting up there with Jesus at His right hand smiling in approval when I cuss at the guy who cuts me off on the road.  I'm sure based on what I've read and studied that every sin, regardless of the size, breaks His heart ... especially when He sent Jesus to die on the cross for that sin. 

(I'm pausing to make sure that what I say next is accurate ... and doesn't cause anyone to fall ... God be with me).

The point I'm trying to make is this: we as a culture tend to take our approval seeking tendencies and apply them towards our relationship with God (just as we do our family and friends ... and strangers) when we don't really need to.  God knows our heart, and every motivation and emotion within it.  He accepts us anyway.  God knows the bitterness you feel ... and He's okay with it.  He knows that you've entrusted your heart to some people who have trampled on it like a door mat, and He wants you to know that He's different. 

He's not like them, and He loves you.  Amen, and have a blessed day.

"I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."

1 Corinthians 9:22b

This verse, and the blog I wrote about it, is what started the whole Chasing God 'thing' almost one year ago.  Since then I've written a little over 120 blogs, or about one every three days.  I didn't however write one every three days.  In fact I haven't even written one per month for the last three months.  When I started the Chasing God blog I did so with all the right motives.  It was going to be a journal of my daily interaction with Jesus.  The thoughts I had when I read His word ... the struggles I had as I attempted to apply it to my own life ... and the things I learned along the way.  I thought maybe there might be others who would be interested in my experiences ... and there were.

There were at least 42 people who "followed" the blog via facebook every day.  There were people in at least 16 other countries who read the blog at least one time.  Countries like Germany and Australia ... Korea and Russia ... Canada and the United States.  I'd get the most incredible messages from people telling me how it's something they look forward to reading every day, and how it's helped them in their walk with Jesus.  It was appealing to Christians and non-Christians alike and that was great ... it's exactly what I hoped it would do ... and then I sort of lost hope.

I lost hope in what I could accomplish through the blog.  It's not like I ever really set out "to do" anything with it, or through it.  The things that people were telling me were really just the icing on the cake.  It was just a public journal of thoughts and ideas and opinions.  However, once I started hearing and reading the comments I thought "wow, I need to write more" and "do more" and "reach more" ... I need to reach 20 countries ... or 30 ... I need 420 "likes" on facebook, not just 42. 

"God, I need to do more."

I need to do more.  I need ...  I ...

I.

And that's when the well went dry ... so to speak.  I'd try to write and there would be nothing.  A few days passed ... and then a few weeks ... and then a few months.  I kept trying to figure out how I could "top yesterday's story" ... what could I possibly write about that would foster a comment better than the one someone left yesterday?  How can I better at being "all things" to reach more of the "all people?"  I went from documenting my God Chasing to once again trying to chase down the approval of others.  Not because I needed it necessarily ... even I'm amazed at how far I've come in that area of my life.  I'm not sure how I got there, or why.  I just felt like whatever I wrote had to be good ... had to be better than yesterday.  I didn't know how to do that, so I stopped writing.

What I lost sight of was the real appeal of the Chasing God blog.  It had nothing to do with me, or the stories, or the 'hook' at the end, but it had EVERYTHING to do with the fact that I pointed the reader towards Jesus and let Him to the rest ... whatever "the rest" was for a particular person on a particular day.  Sure, I used examples in my own life but it wasn't about me.  I may have been the one typing but it wasn't about me.  I don't think I ever got arrogant or self-centered with the blog ... that's not what I'm saying ... but somewhere along the line I was trying to be too much to too many, and lost track of Who I was supposed to focus on ... a God who was used to being 'too much.'

I missed writing each day.  I hope it isn't too late to start again.  I hope I didn't wait too long.  I hope I didn't miss an opportunity to point someone who needs the saving, healing, life giving power of Jesus Christ towards him.  I hope the 'all' that I have to give and be will still be effective to all people ... so that some might be saved.  Amen, and God bless you.

I enjoy writing song lyrics.  Over the past few weeks I've written 4 new songs.  I just got done recording one of them, a song I wrote for my nephew's ministry organization, Do Life Ministries.  As I sit here thinking about that song, I started wondering what it would be like to write a song to God ... a love song to God.  After all ... I do love him.  More than anything or anyone else ... right?  Do I really have to answer that?  Do I have to tell the truth?  I believe in my heart of hearts I do.  Unfortunately no one else sees my heart of hearts but me.

"But Joe, I sing the songs on Sunday ... I tithe to my church ... I even volunteer in the children's ministry.  I love God!"

I bet you do, and that's great.  I do all of that too (except the children's part ... nope ... not me), but guess what ... anyone can do that. It's what you do the other 166 hours of the week that's important.  That's when you make a difference.  That's when you show the world how much you love God ... that's when you write your song.

I'm not sure how yours would sound.  At times I feel mine would go something like this ...

I love you Lord, with all I am
Except when I'm feeling week and vulnerable, then I start leaning on the natural things in life instead of the supernatural being who created them ... and me.
God you are my rock, my fortress, my deliverer
Except when I don't run to you and ask you for help and try to fix things on my own.
There is no one like you
Except for friends and family, that are much easier to lean on and run to and cry to because they give me instant feedback ... words I can hear, and a hug I can feel.
You are the air I breathe
Except when I'm choking and gasping because I've tried to run my race by myself so often ... I'm worn out.
You are an awesome God, the enemy has been defeated
Except when I empower him by ignoring you and doing things my way instead of your way.
I find comfort in the shadow of your wing
Except when I look for comfort in earthly things ... or places ... or people.

Doesn't sound like a top 40 hit song does it?  Heck ... I couldn't even get it to rhyme.  Guess it's time I change my tune. 

God bless you.

“Don't cast your pearls before swine.”

I'm not sure where in the Bible that verse is … I'm afraid you'll have to look this one up on your own, or just take my word that it's an actual verse. I'm sitting in my lazy-boy chair at my cottage, and I don't have a Bible or an internet connection, so I can't look it up for you. It's a rainy, rainy, and I mean rainy day up here, so what better to do than write?

Earlier today we were down at my sister-in-law's cottage. Within the vast array of topics being covered by the five of us, it came up that I got to meet Derek St. Holmes, rhythm guitar player and vocalist for the Ted Nugent band. My wife mentioned how she told one of our neighbors up here about it. The neighbor's reaction … “big deal.”

I can see how some would think it isn't a big deal. I'm a bit surprised that she had that reaction. After all, for the past year or more her life has teetered on the brink as she's dealt with a few types of cancer. One would think that after going through what she's gone through, she'd have a greater appreciation for the simple yet special things in life. The story goes something like this …

My buddy Eric has a regular gig booked at a hotel owned by and next to a casino in mid-Michigan. He's asked me to play along with him throughout most of the summer. Last week we played the same night as the Ted Nugent/ZZ Top concert. After Ted was done, his band came into the lounge and listened to Eric and I play for most of the second set. Right before the end of the set, they got up and left. Derek however came back for part of the third set … by himself. It was quite a compliment to us that with all he could be doing, he decided to come back to hear us. After we were done, he left again. I took my time that night breaking down the equipment (something I never do). Well, there was definitely a reason I did that night. As I was getting ready to walk out of the lounge and head to my room, Mr. St. Holmes was walking by. He motioned to me “good job … good singing” … I motioned back “thank you.” Then I realized I couldn't just let the opportunity to talk to him go by.

I hustled out the door and said loud enough for him to hear me “thanks for coming back for that last set. We appreciate it.” He stopped, walked back to me, and engaged me in a short but very special and meaningful conversation. He said some things to me that were very kind, uplifting, and encouraging relative to me and my voice. We rode up the elevator together … I got off at my floor, said thank you again, and good night. As I was walking back to my room I was so excited to have met him … and so amazed at how down to earth he was. But then again, he's a fellow musician … we're sort of brothers in a way.

I refuse to let myself get too 'Pollyanna' in my thinking when it comes to music. Some have criticized me for that, but that's okay … I don't expect everyone to get it … or me. Enough do, and that's fine. At my age I'm just not sure what professional future I'd have in music. I do love what I do with it though, on a local and semi-regional basis, and it's nice to be in a place where I get to meet people like Derek, and to be encouraged by them. For me it was a pretty big deal … one of the biggest in my short musical journey. My neighbor at the lake obviously didn't think it was a big deal … too bad she hasn't gained enough wisdom through her own struggles to realize that sometimes it's best to keep you opinions to yourself. I wonder who she casts her pearls before? I'll certainly never cast mine before her again.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
Phillipians 4:12, NIV  (emphasis mine)

I don't know how he did it.  I mean, I realize he's the Apostle Paul ... if it could be done, he was just the spiritual force the doctor ordered.  I guess I don't look at myself in the same light. I feel like I've tried to be content in every situation.  I purposely have tried to live a simple life over the past few years, trying not to get caught up in wanting things.  I used to think about things a lot ... not anymore.  I guess that's one of those life lessons I've learned once and for all: people are more important than things, or stuff.  And they are ... but then again I've never had my heart broken by a fishing pole.  My guitar is there anytime I need it, especially during the tough times.  My iPod will never go silent on me ... as long as I keep it charged :)

People on the other hand, while they're the most important part of life, can do all of that and then some.  Some of you might be thinking, "Well Joe, if you didn't give them the power to hurt you, you'd be content."  Maybe so, but we are talking about people right?  I love my guitar but I'll never love that hunk of thin wood and steel strings as much as I love my wife.  I love my fishing poles ... all seven of them ... but they could never take the place of my nieces and nephews.  I'd be lost without my iPod ... simply lost ... but that's not even close to the feeling I have when I miss a friend.  You see my guitar can't hold me, and my fishing poles can't love me back, and my iPod can't offer a shoulder to cry on.  They can't because they're just things ... it has nothing to do with me giving or not giving them the power to affect me.  People don't have to be given any "power" ... they're born with it.  When I met my wife, fell in love, and asked her to marry me, was that me showing weakness and giving her power?  No ... it just happened.  She did something, or acted a certain way that attracted me, and it had nothing to do with me giving her permission to do so.  When my niece calls me just to talk, or wants to know if she'll see me this weekend, my heart melts.  Does it melt because she played a Jedi mind trick on me?  No ... it just does.  She's shown me over the years how much she loves me and loves being with me, and it has nothing to do with me giving her anything.  When I miss a friends company and conversation, do I miss them because I sold myself out, and gave them the power to manipulate me?  No ... I simply just miss them.  I miss them because of the impact they've had on me, and because of the times they've been there for me and helped me, and it has nothing to do with enabling, or co-dependency, or any other fancy word you want to come up with.  It has everything to do with how much I care about them.

I have no book end for this blog.  I don't have a magical sentence that can bring it all full circle ... I hope you're not too disappointed.  I'm still working on this one myself.  God bless.

"I, the Lord God, do not change."
Malachi, 3:6

God never changes.  He can't.  It's simply not in his nature.  How do I know this?  I guess I don't know how ... I just believe it to be true because the Bible says so.  People on the other hand ... people change.  Sometimes for the better, and then sometimes ... well ... they just change.

Before I continue, welcome back.  And may I add that I'm glad to be back too ... 

I took the past 7 weeks off from writing to see if God would give me any new 'material.'  I guess I also took some time off to write a few songs, play a bunch of gigs, do some things in my yard and around my house, and hang out at my cottage.  I felt compelled to tell you the whole truth lest you feel I'm some spiritual giant.  That being said I don't feel I have anything new to share, however that in itself is something I could write on countless times.  You see I think it's true, there really isn't anything new under the sun.  Life isn't that complicated, but we ... at least I ... have become pretty good at complicating it.  I would also add that I don't think life is as ever changing and dynamic as we make it out to be.  Or maybe that's just my life.  Like I said, over the past seven weeks not much has changed ... problems still occurred ... troubles still arose ... happiness was present but often short lived ... and people were still people.  My life is sort of like the creative process in Hollywood: there are only so many stories to tell.  When they run short on new ideas they simply re-tell the good ones using different actors and actresses.  My life is like that, only it's no respecter of good or bad.  Some good stories get re-told, and some bad stories get re-told ... but with different people.  Make sense?  Maybe not if your life is filled with continual new-ness.

Like a bad movie or poorly produced sit com I wish some of the stories would just go away, but they don't.  I guess whatever message they bring is something God really wants me to learn.  So by now you're probably asking where the correlation is between "people change" and a bad sit com?  It's this: my experience with many people is that they say one thing, often for a long period of time, and then something causes their thoughts, feelings, attitude, or emotions to change.  They make promises ... they claim certain things ... they treat me a certain way, and then all of a sudden ... the bomb gets dropped.   

Umm ... Joe ... how is that like a bad sit com? 

Easy ... they both suck.  Is that clear enough?

God on the other hand never changes.  I can't do anything that would make Him any less, or any more fond of me.  I can't do anything that would cause Him to leave my side.  I can't think of one thing I could say, do, or become that would cause God to not follow through on what He has promised me.  Why?  Because he's God ... he's never done that to anyone ... and he's not going to start with me.  Or you.

Here's one that isn't new: people will let you down.  If you haven't experienced that yet, you're either a few weeks old or you live in a closet.  The easiest way I've learned to experience it is to become vulnerable.  Open up to people ... trust them ... (here's a crazy one ...) love them.  Then just sit back and wait. 

Here's what I have to continually learn to get through it: God isn't that way, so spend more time with Him.  And then learn to forgive the people that hurt you.  I can do that pretty easily now ... I've had lots of practice.  Forgetting ... I'm not so good at, but I've gotten the forgiveness part down.  For the times where trying to forget is really tough, refer back to step one.  God's waiting for you.  God bless you and good night.