The "Now" of Eternity

Sunday I talked about the importance of setting our hearts on "things above" rather than on "earthly things" (Col. 3:1-2). However, I had to explain that this did not mean that we are to ignore life's ongoing demands -- paying the bills and taking care of the house and nurturing our kids. Rather, we need to remember that this is not all there is. In fact, the various arenas of life--work, school, and home--are our arenas of ministry. These areas of life desperately need a "things above" perspective.

Eternal life is not out there after we die. It is present here and now as we entrust ourselves to God. Jesus said, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3).

Changing our viewpoint can change everything.

Hard-Earned Wisdom

I like all of Donald Miller's books, but I think A Million Miles in a Thousand Years is his best since Blue Like Jazz. That's partly because, as he ages, he's learning some things about himself and about life, and he's willing to share these things with readers.

For instance, after the devastating breakup with the girl he thought he was going to marry, he realized something important:

...For years I'd thought of love as something that would complete me, make all my troubles go away. I worshipped at the altar of romantic completion. And it had cost me, plenty of times. And it had cost most of the girls I'd dated, too, because I wanted them to be something they couldn't be. It's too much pressure to put on a person. I think that's why so many couples fight, because they want their partners to validate them and affirm then, and if they don't get that, they feel as though they're going to die. And so they lash out. But its' a terrible thing to wake up and realize the person you just finished crucifying didn't turn out to be Jesus.

That's something a lot of people--married and single--need to learn!

Where's Norm?

We had a lot of fun at the "Welcome Back, Norm" event -- the choir sounded great as they sang the National Anthem; we enjoyed watching the Beavers together; and then there was this! Can you spot the Real Norm Langston?

Weddings, Weddings, Weddings!

This was my all-time "wedding month"!

It began with my nephew's July 31 wedding, proceeded to my son and daughter-in-law's wedding on August 15, continued with Nic & Lindsay's wedding on Aug. 23, and culminated with Abe & Renee's Aug. 30 ceremony.

Sunday we had a beautiful location--Timberline Lodge--for the beautiful ceremony of a beautiful couple! Actually, there was more to it than that, since Abe & Renee met on a hike in the Mt. Hood National Forest and eventually climbed Mt. Hood together.

Congratulations to a fantastic couple (as well as the other three couples)!