The leisurely days of flip flops, sunshine and seashores are fading into memory like a disappearing sunset. Hopefully you enjoyed a glorious summer.

A summer highlight for my family occurred on July 12 in my hometown located on Lake Michigan. My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Can you say a culture-defying milestone?! It was a deeply moving and memorable celebration in every way.

One of my great joys was to create a commemorative video to show at the party. The resulting 30-minute tribute depicts my parents’ love story as well as their love of God, family, friends, fun times and long-standing traditions. After his first viewing, my Dad made an observation that still has me thinking. He said, “Water is a definite theme throughout the entire video.” Absolutely. True. In fact, having the same realization early on – I included this favorite piece in the video in an attempt to explain the magnetic power of water:

“Being on the water fulfills a hardwired need to connect with nature that cannot be satisfied by ordinary life in an advanced nation. We ‘go to sea’ to forge a connection with the wild and we seek to share that elemental connection with family and friends, thus renewing and strengthening the bonds between us.” – Unknown

Flying back to Atlanta, I wondered: Does everyone have this “hard-wired need”? Or is it only forged in the souls of people who grew up on the water like my parents did….like I did? These questions were tucked inside my mind when, weeks later, a big light bulb went off for me. I was reading Psalm 23 while hanging out with God one morning. It’s as if God illuminated this very familiar passage for the very first time:

“The Lord is my shepherd….He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” Psalm 23: 1-2

That’s it! My soul is restored at the water’s edge which explains its alluring nature. But this realization led to more questions. Why? How? So I went back to “the beginning” – curious to recall what day water was created.

“In the beginning…the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” Genesis 1:1

Eureka! Even before God gave form to the universe and filled the earth – water existed. God is the “same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) which means He still hovers over the waters. This explains why I’ve always felt God’s presence most profoundly at the water’s edge. This explains why the sun-scorched areas of my heart are soothed at the ocean’s shore and the dehydrated areas of my life are quenched. God’s “super” flows out and hovers over the “natural” and SUPERNATURAL RENEWAL is the result. There is power in His presence.

As we bid farewell to summer, let not your heart be troubled. You don’t have to wait until next summer to pull up a chair at the water’s edge. There is a way to get rehydrated all year long. You can pull up a chair any time during the year and drink of the Living Water. That’s what Jesus promised:

“If you knew the gift of God you would have asked Him and He would have given you Living Water. Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  John 4: 10, 14

Jesus is always ready to fill you up and replenish your soul. Ask Him to pour into you. Saturate your soul in His presence and His Word. Soak in the Living Water. It’s the best kind of refreshment. It’s the best kind of unbelievable.

J-Crew @ Lake MI the night before the big soirée
July 11, 2014
Mom’s wedding dress circa 1964.
Dad’s cummerbund and bow tie circa 2014. 

What happens at the intersection of Broadway and Lent?  A sacred invitation is extended.

At least that’s what happened in my little corner of the world this morning.  As I hang out with God in my prayer chair, I’m still processing how the Broadway show “Once” captured my heart last night and won’t let it go.  How the musical number “Falling Slowly” – winner of an Academy Award for best original song – described me when I first met up with my Broadway buddy Brent downtown for dinner.

All week long I’d been falling slowly to the point I thought of cancelling much-loved theater night.  Early mornings.  Late nights.  Two kids in two sports with conflicting car pool schedules.  Client deadlines.  Tough marriage counseling session.  “Moods that take me and erase me and they paint me black.”  And the mood didn’t lighten at dinner either as is usually the case.  Brent shared the shocking news that a long-time, dear friend of ours had learned 24 hours prior that he’s extremely sick and facing the fight of his life to beat advanced cancer.  Heaviness weighed on our hearts as tears fell shared.

“Take this sinking boat and point it home…” the lyrics echo.

It resonated with me at the very core.  There is great news when life has me falling slowly.  I know my ROCK Eternal will break the fall and I can once again stand firm.  I can take my sinking heart and anchor it on the ROCK.  Once.  Once again.  And again forevermore I can return.  I can return to His wide-open arms, His never-ending love and His timeless Truth.

So this Lenten season, once again, I return to the ROCK and seek Him with greater intensity;  by creating more space for Him before the sun comes up each day;  by way of giving up things I love for someone I love more;  to go deeper still with the risen Son of the Living God.

This just in:
A sacred invitation.
An invitation personally extended to each one of us as we prepare for Easter Sunday:

“‘And yet even now,’ says the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart.’ ” Joel 2:12

Welcome to room #3063 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in downtown Minneapolis, MN.  If you’re in need of rejuvenation, renewal, repair or any other “re” – come on in and have a seat.

My original plan was never to discover this ROCKing chair at the hospital.  My plan was to travel north for a long week-end to enjoy multiple celebrations with my family – my godson’s confirmation, my mom and I celebrating birthdays, proms, graduations and even Mother’s Day.  It promised to be a family fest featuring fabulous fun…until I was loaded up into the back of an ambulance on Friday.

Not much would prompt me to briefly interrupt my blog sabbatical but God’s presence, peace and power were far too awe-inspiring earlier this month to keep it all to myself.  I hope this reflection touches your heart in some way.  Writing has always been my release when my heart is this full, so here’s the story.

The very long version made as short as possible?  By Friday morning severe abdominal pain made it difficult for me to walk, went to urgent care later in the day, Crohn’s Disease had reared its ugly head, obstruction found in small intestine, ambulance downtown to hospital, tests were run, IV bags started pumping, body eventually starts to respond to meds, surgery averted.  Kids fly home Sunday evening unaccompanied to meet Keith so they can get back to school – Sean and Lauren make us all proud.  I’m finally cleared to try food.  Rice stays down then later in the day turkey and mashed potatoes.  This is my ticket home.  Monday afternoon my sister busts me out in the getaway car and on Tuesday, my official birthday, I fly Delta to arrive home just in time for an extra-special birthday dinner.

In all the pain, commotion and uncertainty of that first night in the hospital, there was one distinct moment in which time stood still.

It was around 2:00 am Saturday morning when my brother Dave arrived at the hospital to relieve my sister Karen, who had a huge day ahead.  Dave and his wife Ann had packed a bag of basics for me.  I gratefully dug through the bag searching for the toothbrush and toothpaste and – BOOM – there it was.  A Bible with a sheet of paper tucked inside…a copy of the exact Scripture listing I’d sent to Ann back in 2006 when she battled and beat cancer.

God decided to boomerang His perfectly customized Truth back to me when I needed it most.  And it was just in time.  My attitude and hope had raced south as fast as the ambulance.  My new reality was so surreal my mind couldn’t keep up and a frenzy of fear had gripped me.

The frenzy came to a screeching halt in an instant when I picked up the Bible and the page of scripture references.  In green highlighter…and hand-drawn hearts, Ann brought my specific attention to these three verses on the page:

“Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.”  Matthew 9:22

“I have heard your prayers and seen your tears.  I will heal you.”  2 Kings 20:5

“God is within her.  She will not fall.  God will help her at break of day.  Therefore we will not fear.”  Psalm 46: 5, 2

The tears came.  My diet was restricted to ice chips but here it was – abounding soul food in my hands.

Over the next few days, in between cozy visits with my parents and family, I ROCKed in my chair with the ROCK Eternal.  He held me close and wrapped me in His Word.  He led.  I read:  “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.  From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the ROCK that is higher than I.”  Psalm 61
And He did lead me to a higher place as I “looked to the ROCK from which I was cut and to the quarry from which I was hewn.”  Isaiah 51:1
He said “I have told you these things, so that IN ME you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33 And He went about restoring my “IN ME” peace.  He always keeps His promises.  “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the ROCK Eternal.”  Isaiah 26:3-4

As my spirit was soothed, I slowly gave myself permission to unplug completely from the world.  So did God.  “In rest and repentance is your salvation.  In QUIETNESS and TRUST is your STRENGTH.”  Isaiah 30:15.  He quieted the big life decisions I face with assurance that “whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:20-21 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”  Psalm 32:8

When all was said and done, I walked out of Abbott Northwestern Hospital late Monday afternoon anchored in the Truth that “As for God, His way is perfect.”  Psalm 18:30 The enemy came “to kill, steal and destroy.”  He was defeated.  “I have come that they may have LIFE, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10

In Christ alone, there is victory.  Every time.  In every “911” situation.  In every ordinary day.  In every circumstance.  In every Word of His Truth.  In Minneapolis I experienced family at its finest and was fed beyond measure.  His Word is LIFE.  Get some.

It sounds so obvious and so common sense.  But is it common practice?  Christians and non-Christians alike know the importance of starting with a solid foundation before building anything of significance.  The quality of the foundation determines the quality of the whole.  This is vitally important and especially true when it comes to building a life.

As you’ve launched into this fresh new year, have you gone with the same tired resolutions or are you up for going deeper?  Have you thought about the foundation you’re building your life on?  How do you fare when the inevitable storms of life hit and gale force winds tear at the very core of you?  Can your foundation survive the unbridled fury?

“As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.  They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When the flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.  But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Luke 6:47-49

Quick update.  This will be the last weROCK blog for a time.  A few life storms need my full attention.  This is not my first season of tough storms.  I’ve learned that the old familiar hymn sings of Truth…”on Christ the solid ROCK I stand.  All other ground is sinking sand.”

My sinking sand foundations, yes plural, fell like dominos over the course of the past decade.  The first domino to fall was my health, which caused my career as I knew it to crumble.  In addition, important relationships collapsed which was a crushing blow to me, given that I’d grounded my value and significance on the opinions and acceptance of others.

Forced to be still, I realized that my entire identity, worth and significance were all wrapped up in my performance and how much I could accomplish in a day to show the world that I had it all together.  Somehow I thought if I could be successful in the eyes of others I would gain their approval and thereby validate my significance and worth.  This ever-shifting foundation was destroying me.  I’ll never forget my business coach, Fran, asking me when we first met, “Do your kids ever see you sit down?”

And so began my detox from the drug of doing.  I came to the very end of myself.  That’s where God met me in the most profound and personal way.   He gently helped me rebuild my life on a foundation that will forever be ROCKsolid.  My growing relationship with Jesus Christ grounds me daily.  Some days it takes all I have to sit still; in fact I’ve considered installing a seat belt in my prayer chair.  Yet as I quiet myself and enter into His presence through prayer, worship and studying and applying His Word, I am reminded:

He is God and I am not.
I don’t have to carry the heavy burdens – He invites me to cast all my cares on Him.
My strength, peace and resources are limited.  His are abundantly limitless.
I’m fully and completely loved by God.   Period.  I don’t have to earn it.
I don’t have to do anything to try and earn anything because it’s all been done on the cross.
All is not good in this world but He will work it all for good.
Pleasing God brings freedom.  People-pleasing brings bondage.
I can place my full confidence in and entire life on the unshakeable foundation of Jesus Christ rather than the ever-shifting and sinking foundations offered by this world.
Each day I have the choice to cling to my will or submit to His.
I can rest in God’s full forgiveness, total acceptance, complete love and ultimate sovereignty.  He fills me up so I can go out into a hurting world and extend to others all that He has so freely given to me.  Forgiveness.  Acceptance.  Love.

I see this time of current testing as a chance to fortify my foundation.  I’ve come to learn that God uses the storms of life to go deeper and deeper with His beloved children.  How can we know the Great Comforter if we never need comfort?  How can we know the Great Healer if we never need healing in mind, body and spirit?

I wish there were an easier way but in this broken world the storms will continue to come.  And as they rage harder and harder you can lean harder and harder into your Heavenly Father.  He wants to be your unshakeable foundation.  He will keep you grounded no matter what.  Here’s what I know for sure – when you seek Him you will find Him.  His promise – not mine.  He will come through for you and keep you grounded with His presence, power and peace.  A growing relationship with Jesus Christ is a reality you can build a life on.

“Truly he is my ROCK and my salvation:  He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”  Psalm 62:2

“You are complete in Him.  Nothing can shake you!”  Colossians 2:10

“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you;  there is no ROCK like our God.”  1 Samuel 2:2

Most of us are familiar with the fun game of “Simon Says.”  Far more significant and life-giving is what Simeon says about Jesus in the second chapter of Luke.

“After the purification time was complete,” according to Luke 2:22-35, Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem to present their first-born son to the Lord as was the custom. “Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.  This man was righteous and devout and the Holy Spirit was upon Him.  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.  When the parents brought in the child Jesus, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: ‘Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation and glory for your people. The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him.”

Mary and Joseph saw Jesus in an entirely new way because of what Simeon said.  They were astonished.  When was the last time you were astonished by Jesus?  Have your eyes seen His salvation?  His presence remains just as real today as it was on that day He was presented at the Temple.  He brings life just as powerfully today as he did back when Simeon held him close.  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  Hebrews 13:8

We can so easily romanticize the delicate Christmas scenes, religious pageantry and soothing lullaby manger music.  The fact is Jesus came to earth to die an agonizing death.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 6:22-23  Jesus chose to pay sin’s enormous price tag on our behalf so all who believe in Him could be restored to the Father and enjoy eternal life.  Jesus chose to pay your sin debt in full because He was dying to have a relationship with you.

The Savior’s inconceivable love is astounding enough yet it gets even better.  Not only is Jesus the ROCK Eternal – He is the ROCK Now.  His free gift to you is eternal life but it doesn’t stop there.  “I came that they might have life and have it to the full.”  John 10:10.  In Him, you can experience abundant life now.  Could there be a better Christmas gift?

A few months ago, I saw Pastor Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago perform AWESOME which spent 14 weeks on top of the Gospel charts.  It’s a beautiful (and be advised…contagious) chorus that proclaims the truth about our awe-inspiring God.

Like Simeon says, WE HAVE THE SOURCE OF LIFE IN OUR MIDST.  Could there be a more compelling reason to be married to amazement ALL of your life?  This one and the next?

Create some space so you can be awed to your knees this Christmas.  Exit the pace of Christmas for a bit and enter into the peace of Christmas.  Commune with the Prince of Peace…focus in on who this God is…and how abounding His love.  Get a glimpse of His greatness and glory.  Contemplate what it means to live every day in the reality of “God with us.”  Matthew 1:23.  Invite Jesus to reveal Himself to you in fresh new ways this Christmas.  Then get ready to be astonished.