dirty laundry

We usually wait till the weekend to do our laundry.  And sometimes we don't even start on it till after church on Sunday.  When those days happen it is likely that we won't end up washing every article of clothing and we always plan on finishing on Monday or something... but that doesn't always happen either.  Last weekend was one of those weekends.

By Wednesday evening it came to my attention that I no longer had any clean underwear.  I was very puzzled by this situation because this usually only happens to Beki because its not uncommon for her to wear 3 different pairs in one day and I always find it funny when she wonders why she's out by Friday.  Well this time the laugh was on me.  Thursday morning I woke up and I was forced to search for the least dirty pair of boxers to wear to work.  On Friday soccer shorts were called in to be the substitute.  This morning, now 3 days later, I decided it was time to solve the case of the dirty underwear.

I began my search in the last place I saw them:  the laundry basket in the bathroom.  Yep, there were all accounted for in the laundry basket; not a single one under the bed or in the washroom.  And so that you know I am sitting in bed, writing this wearing freshly clean and dried underwear.... SO MUCH BETTER!

Wearing dirty underwear is probably one of the most uncomfortable things I can think of.  Wearing soccer shorts instead, is also not the best either.  I know by now you're thinking that going without is a perfectly okay option given the circumstances, but to me that is even more uncomfortable.

Sin is a lot like dirty underwear.  Most of the time it is a private thing that you keep hidden from the world and the only person that knows about it is you.  All day it nags at you, irritates you, and you wonder if anyone will find out or can tell that underneath your clean clothes and smiling face lies a dirty person.  It doesn't matter that you took a shower, did your hair, shaved, etc.. because you still put chose to put on dirty underwear... and that makes you gross.  Getting dressed up and spiffy and walking into church on Sunday morning doesn't cover up that sin you have in your heart.

Having sin in your life no matter how big or small it is can really have an effect on your daily life.

               But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
               your sins have hidden his face
               from you, so that he will not hear. - Isaiah 59:2

I know that when I have unresolved sin, the guilt of it just ruins my day and consumes my thoughts.  I know that until I admit my sin and repent, I am burdened by them and feel distant from God.  One of my new favorite people in my life is my friend Joe and he once told me that one of  his greatest fears is being apart from God and His blessings because he does something dumb and strays from God's graces.  That he has been there and basically confirmed what Isaiah said; that your sin will separate you from from intimacy with God.  And a life separate from God is just not that enjoyable.

         If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the
         darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 
         But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
         we have fellowship with one another, and the blood
         of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.    1 John 1:6-7

I definitely spent all day Thursday walking around in dirty underwear.  Friday I constantly had to re-adjust my soccer shorts under my work clothes.  Today it felt so wonderful to pull out a freshly cleaned pair of boxers and put them on.  Still warm, with that dryer sheet lavender smell... oh man so good.  What a relief!

So how long have you been walking around wearing dirty underwear?  Maybe today it is time to make things right.  I promise you that you will feel so much better once you shed those burdens and filth.  It's probably blasphemy to compare the love of Jesus and what He accomplished to purify us of our sins to what the washer and dryer in my wash room did for me this afternoon... but I sure am thankful.

- J

Psalm 77:11-14

 ¹¹ But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
      I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
 ¹² They are constantly in my thoughts.
      I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.  
¹³ O God, your ways are holy.
      Is there any god as mighty as you?
 ¹⁴ You are the God of great wonders!


 Working on my lesson for Sunday morning and watching football this evening tonight while Beki is at school.  Football is almost over.  I'm going to be really sad when there is no more football on Sundays.. Mondays... Thursdays... Sunday nights... Beki might not mind though  :)   Maybe I'll do something useful with all my free time.  Any suggestions?

This week I'll be teaching about how Joshua was so good about thanking God and taking the time to make a remembrance/memorial when He does great things in their lives.  So I'm hoping that with the lesson and craft the kids will do the same in their lives.  This week we will be making paper plate memory holders.  On the front flap we will glue on verse 11 from Psalm 77 and on slips of paper we will write down memories of God's work in our lives or prayer requests for Him to fill.  I think it will be good.

I'm kind of hoping that this blog becomes something along the same lines as that paper plate mail box.  I need to remind myself of what God does in my life, so I can look back and remember His good works.  I think everyone should do something like that in their own way.

Now onto something completely unrelated.

Have I talked about my new job-site yet?  I'm helping replace/upgrade the portion of the main sewage treatment facility in Denver that basically filters liquid from solid.  Ever wonder where it goes when you flush the toilet?  Well if you're in the Denver-metro area, it goes to my new job-site  :)  Basically what we are doing is replacing the current wiring for the grit filter and because the facility is a pretty big deal, the material we are using is a bit on the overboard safe side.  Instead of just running the lighter weight and less expensive underground conduit we are using steel conduit that is covered with a rubbery PVC plastic coating for additional protection.  Each stick (2" OCAL) of 10ft pipe is 2 1/2 inches wide and weighs probably 30lbs each and we've been threading, bending, and installing about 200ft a day.  These conduit will be buried and encased in concrete, so once the wires are installed they will be definitely protected.  Oh and with the snow, mud and wind its been even more challenging.

I really need to work on my brevity.  The whole point of this is that I've been sleeping great this week.  I think hard physical work is the best remedy for tossing and turning all night.  I also think that there is something inherently rewarding to good down and dirty hard work.  It pushes you physically and mentally.  While you're digging trenches and carrying heavy materials on your shoulders there is really no joy to be found in it.  Definitely not fun to have a frozen face or runny nose, but when you're working together with other men and can look back at the work you've completed that day, there is definitely a sense of pride and camaraderie created. 

I'm pretty sure God created men to labor and labor hard.  The sweat and soreness is so rewarding and full of purpose... kinda like doing man work and having man hands.  For those guys who work indoors all day in an office or cubicle I truly think they are missing out.  So many of Jesus' parables have elements of labor, farming, and earning wages.  Jesus was a carpenter, Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen, Paul was a tentmaker.  There is so many life lessons, self value gained, and team building involved in manual labor that I would have never have been aware of if I wasn't on the path I'm currently on.  Our culture says that the paycheck or the education or the window office is what we must strive for... but i disagree.  When I see that garbage man, postal worker, car washer, etc doing their job.. an honest, thankless job... i have learned that they deserve just as much respect as a professor at a college for example.

Get out of your comfort zone.  Hop on google and find directions on changing your car's oil instead of paying someone else to do it.  Come in the house with 3 day stubble, filthy clothes, and chapped hands from working in the yard all day and see the response your wife gives you.  First she'll say that you're disgusting, then she'll secretly think to herself, "wow, he's pretty hot, I don't see him all manly like this very often."
There's a reason why as kids every single one of us loved Tim "the Tool Man" Taylor.  Now that we're grown up we can be that man for our family.  Work is good,

- J

12 Stones

So the past month we've been studying the book of Joshua in children's ministry.  I've read through it more than once over the years, but having the knowledge is much different than sharing the knowledge.  I used to love tutoring and helping others with their classwork.. it was why I've always dreamed about being a teacher.  It is why I love coaching.  It is just so awesome to be able to share your knowledge and talent with someone else who needs your help.  When you witness their eyes light up.. when you see that light bulb click on.. that's gotta be one of the best feelings in the whole world.  And it's the same thing when I used to coach.  My players would get so annoyed that we would do seeming;y mundane and repetitive drills, but then that moment happens when it just clicks (remember Daniel-Son.. wax on wax off) and they look at me so proud that they actually did it and it really works.  Anyways that reward, that feeling, is only part of the blessing of teaching.  The other part is when you teach, the lesson or knowledge or whatever you've studied becomes part of you.

In studying the Bible, I have found that it only really sinks in for me when I share what I've read with someone else, and breaking it down for teaching to kids for some reason is way more impacting.

So I've been teaching the story of Joshua.  For those of you who don't know Joshua of the Old Testament, I'll give you a quick rundown.  The Israelites were slaves in Egypt until Moses and the Plagues convinced Pharaoh to give them their freedom.  Then they crossed the Red Sea and wandered in the Wilderness for 40 years, received the 10 Commandments, and were promised the land of Israel by God.  Well Moses didn't live long enough to see them return home and Joshua was chosen to be the new leader of the Israelites.  Joshua was Moses' second in command and general of the army and now it was his job to conquer all the of the squatters and cities that arose while the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. 

Joshua's faith was so real.  He knew without a shadow of a doubt that God was real and that God can be depended on.  He witnessed the parting of the Red Sea, the manna from the sky, and all the other miracles during those 40 years, so that definitely strengthened his trust in God.  But still, having to lead thousands of weary refugees across the desert without Moses and now into battle.. is what does Marty McFly say: "pretty heavy stuff"  The city of Jericho was the first town on their list.  (I'm having a really hard time keeping this to the point and brief... you gotta read Joshua chapters 1-4 either in a Bible or online somewhere.. because it really is so awesome). 

Once again a body of water is blocking their path.  They are up river from the Red Sea and without a bridge there is no safe way to get to Jericho's massive walls.  But that problem was no biggy for God.  He didn't part the water this time, he just shut it off.  God stops the water flow upstream so Joshua and the Israelites can cross.  The minute the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant step foot into the river, the ground dries up.  They then cross halfway and do not leave the middle of the riverbed until everyone has crossed.  I'm sure those priests are anxious to join them and get across but Joshua has one more task to be completed first.
Joshua 4:4-7
So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel.  He told them, “Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.  We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’  Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.”

That is such an awesome picture of God's love.  What memorial do you have of God's work in your life?  How cool would it be to walk to the beach of this section of the Jordan River and see 12 stones stacked upon each other, and then look down to your son or daughter and tell them the story of Joshua and the Israelites.  It almost makes me want a tattoo.  Something that signifies an event of God's work in my life, so when someone asks me, "Jay, what does that tattoo represent?" I can tell them.  Those 12 stones weren't just for the benefit of others, but it was for the benefit of those present that day.  They can look back and have evidence of God truly caring and protecting them.  I might have a crummy day and just be Mr.  Negativity, but one glance at something physical like big stones piled high would definitely remind me of a better time in my life.. a time when God did something great in my life.

So next time God blesses you, go out of your way to make some kind of memorial of it.  God is a pretty big and famous guy and we're just not that cool.  People pay big bucks and stand in long lines to shake the hand or get an autograph of a celebrity or pro athlete.  Then they proudly put that autograph or picture in a frame and put it on display to show to everyone who enters their house.  God doesn't ask you to stand in a line so He can give you His autograph.  He offers that freely everyday.  What do you have displayed in your house, office, or car?  Kids, family, that fish you caught last summer... and now maybe a stone with a date and a couple words on it?  God's beautiful work in your life deserves to be framed.  For evidence to the non-believer and perhaps a wake up call to get your head on straight.

Thanks for letting me share that with you today.  I needed this opportunity to grow closer in my relationship with my Father.  Knowledge is worthless if it isn't shared.  And without action, fresh air, and sunlight it will never grow.  My Father has been doing so many amazing things in people's lives since the beginning of time... and He isn't slowing down anytime soon.  I'm sorry I haven't been bragging about him lately.. I've been kind of selfish and dumb lately.  But before I stop writing for the night, I want you to know that I'm definitely up for introducing you to Him if you're ever interested.. and I've got some pretty rad stories of our adventures too  :)

Kids

I've had multiple alter-egos.  Some I'm proud of.. others.. not so much.

I've been, i don't know... slacking or avoiding or hiding or... i guess just making excuses for not truly living up to God's plan for my life.  James says in chapter 4, verse 17 that: "if anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them."  And I've been stuck in that sin for awhile now.  I've been doing the minimum of my God-given talent for far too long.  I've been teaching sunday mornings at church for the past couple months.  I prepare 5 or so hours a week for my lesson.  With Beki's help we've created a pretty cool little environment with crafts, games, videos, power point, prayer and worship that really wasn't there before we started serving.  But it could be better- I could be better.  I have the potential and passion for it, but I am so easily distracted.

It was easier at Thousand Pines.  There I was known as "Ruddy."
Bills?  What bills?  Appointments?  Cell phones?  Internet?  Xbox?
Never even thought about those things.  3 wild months of hardcore kids and I loved it.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about those summers.  When that bus full of kids came down that road and I got my assigned campers, they became my whole world.  We ate together, told stories together, wrestled in the pool together, worshipped and prayed together.  I was their leader... but more often it felt like they were the ones leading me.  They lead me with their questions to read the Bible more.  They lead me to pray more because I was weak and unable to lean on my own understanding.  They showed me what priorities are truly most important, and what things can just wait till another time.  They pushed me to be a better person and have a more intimate relationship with God than any book or mentor ever could have.  When they looked to me.. I looked to God.. and he looked at me and smiled.. and I looked to them and smiled.  And then on Friday afternoon I cried as the bus drove off that mountain.  I cried because I loved them for touching my life and drawing me closer to God.  I wanted to keep that fellowship forever.  Maybe it was just exhaustion.  To this day I haven't had a more amazing night of sleep than i did on those Friday nights in the Red Tailed Hawk cabin.

During the rest of the year I was "Coach J."  The best part of being Coach J was walking through the gate of the campus and getting bombarded with hugs and affection.  I wasn't a regular teacher at Calvary.  I didn't really have a classroom or any set rules.  There was expectations.  There was trust and respect.  We had standards and we had defined roles.  They recognize insincerity.  We never had to sit down and talk about any of these grown up concepts because children are just little people- they understand more than you know.  I always expected them to do their very best and they would without hesitation because they knew they would always get the same from me.  A team is a reflection of their coach and a coach is a reflection of his team.  It is the same way with God.  I never have to wonder if God has my best interests in mind.  I never have to wonder if God sincerely cares for me.  I should never have fear to run up to Him and wrap my arms around Him.  Yesterday I may have made some dumb decisons, but that was yesterday.  Today I know he has already forgiven me and when He sees me running with my arms out wide he has already forgotten all about it because He just can't wait for my love.

This week I've been so distracted by this world.  It is not just this week, but you know what I mean.  But how I see the world and how I see myself isn't the way that God sees it.  I need to get back to what I do best and what God created me for.  I used to think that God's plan for me was to use me to bring kids to know Him... but He is fully capable of doing that without me.  He created me to be his child... I'm just one of His kids.  He desires to have me near Him at all times.  He wants to work with me, train with me, cry with me, laugh with me.  He wants me to grow.
I'm significant.  I have purpose.  Somewhere I forgot that.  All those kids kept me accountable.  They kept me on my toes.  They kept me on the right path and they showed me that life looks better in crayon.  Life will never... and I will never be perfect.

It is time to start drawing new pictures that my Father can add to his scrapbook and stick to his refrigerator.