The Journey to Hope

I’m going to try something a little different today. It’s not uncommon, especially in the more difficult seasons, for me to write a group of poems that document the journey through a season. I often use poetry to work things out in my heart and mind, to deal with issues. This sometimes leaves me with a suite of poems which belong together, because they journal a spectrum of emotions through the passing of time. So I take the liberty of sharing the following suite of ten poems which were written over roughly that many days. They detail my emotional journey last year from the confirmation that out new grandson would be born with Down Syndrome through my reconciliation of that fact with God. When we get many kinds of news it can seem like the worst news in the world until you become accustomed to it. Those seasons are like experiencing the different stages of grief. And because I’m a person of faith, part of that process involves working out the details with Jesus and trusting Him with them completely.

I’d like to brag that I always see things with an eternal perspective. Yet life is rarely that simple. Sometimes all we have to begin with is a cry for help, or what soldiers refer to as a foxhole prayer. Then, at least in my case, I often have to ease into a total trust that God is actually in control and He’s somehow going to work things out … and maybe even turn them into something beautiful. In this particular instance I’m choosing to call my process “the journey to hope.” Either way, I’m laying my emotions bare here so you can see how Jesus works in my life and heart at least. The difference with me is that sometimes we end up with a written record of the process like this batch of poetry.

The most important thing is that there is hope, that Jesus does love us and care for us, that we are never truly alone. Whether you’re facing good news or bad news, or walking through those things with others, there is hope beyond the emotions and situations that threaten to overwhelm us. That hope is there, like a life ring, waiting for us to take hold of it. Some of us may do that slowly. So to all of you I offer my personal journey to hope.

Help Me, Jesus

Help me Jesus, help me Jesus

I’m not sure how to feel

We have to wait upon the tests

Before we know what’s real

It’s like I’ve walked into quicksand

And I’m slowly sinking down

Sliding, imperceptibly

Until I feel as if I’ll drown

I was confident and in control

And fine, then suddenly

I stepped from solid ground into

This mire of uncertainty

There is a shadow closing in

Which I’m unaccustomed to

Help me Jesus, help me Jesus

My only hope is you

        By Frank Carpenter ©

Spiraling

Yesterday my life was perfect

Everything was going fine

Work, faith, friends and family

Counting my blessings all the time

Suddenly, joy has eroded

And toppled from my pedestal

I’m spiraling into darkness

The weight of fear upon my soul

Help me, Lord, have mercy

Your servant, whom you have blessed

Is now awash in waves of grief

Lost in an ocean of distress

Maybe this will be alright

Maybe the medical tests

Will show we needn’t worry

And things will work out for the best

But for now I’m lost in limbo

Mired in despair and pain

Hoping for miraculous test results

Praying that joy may come again

Help me, Lord, have mercy

Shine your light through darkness here

Draw me into your arms of comfort

And help me to know you are here

           By Frank Carpenter ©

Your Will

I don’t pretend to know your will

Nor the fullness of your mind

I know that I should trust you

Yet in this season now I find

I’m struggling with where we are

Along this path of sovereignty

Because the weight of this week

Feels as if it’s crushing me

Lord, I want to trust You

Trust the wisdom of your plan

But it’s too much, Lord, it’s too much

And I’m not sure how I can

My heart is filled to bursting

With the weight of what we face

In the coming weeks and months

In this new and grief-filled place

Lord, forgive my faithlessness

In this season of despair

Have mercy on your servant

And hear this unworthy prayer

Reach down into the darkness

Where we find ourselves today

Pierce this veil of helplessness

And help us find our way

I beg you, Jesus, intervene

Amidst our brokenness and pain

Give me faith and wisdom

To fully trust in You again

I can’t understand your purposes

For all we’re going through

Have mercy on us in this hour

And help us to trust in You

      By Frank Carpenter ©

I Need Someone to Tell Me

I need someone to tell me

That everything will be alright

So I can look my family in the eye

And say that to them tonight

I need to know there is a light

Still shining somewhere up ahead

That hope and joy exist somewhere

Beyond this pain and dread

I need a vision of the future

I can still look forward to

Some way to quench the helplessness

Where there is nothing I can do

Another wave of pain has broken

And washed over me tonight

And I need someone to tell me

That everything will be alright

          By Frank Carpenter ©

 

Unshakeable

God, today more than ever

I need to believe the bible is true

I need to believe in everything

I’ve come to know about you

I’m clinging to You desperately

Nowhere else to turn today

Need your strength and steadfastness

To hold me on the narrow way

I need to know you will be there

Whenever, wherever I go

I need to trust in You and your word

Because he bible tells me so

Lord, at this moment I’m shaken

To the very depths of my soul

So I cling to your power and mercy

Because only you are unshakeable

        By Frank Carpenter ©

 

Every Step Along the Way

There is nothing you could do

No choice that you could make

Which could diminish my approval

Or I would label a mistake

I am always for you

I am always on your side

I have only love for you

Nor could you wound my pride

I am praying for you

Through ever hour of the day

Asking God for peace and wisdom

And His light upon your way

I believe in both of you

And I trust you implicitly

I will encourage and support you

Wherever you may be

Wherever you may find yourselves

Along this journey you are in

Though you feel lost in darkness

Though your faith is wearing thin

If your heart if broken

Then my heart is broken too

Your joy and pain are mine as well

And I will be there for you

I am walking with you

Every step along the way

Yours are my love and my blessing

Both now, and every day

        By Frank Carpenter ©

 

He Will Find a Way

In this moment of your life

It’s difficult to understand

How God allows such things to happen

Or where is His mighty hand

We know we have a loving God

Who deeply cares for us

A God all-knowing and all-powerful

In whom we should place our trust

But where oh where, in all of this

Could our loving Savior be?

When we’re crying out in our distress

It can be difficult to see

His hand in what befalls us

In this broken world we share

We have only faith to cling to

And the promise that He cares

But God knows things that we don’t

He sees what we can’t see

His plan is bigger than our pain

And He still holds eternity

Whatever we are going through

Though it shakes us to the core

God can use it for His glory

In ways we’d never guess before

God can use the deepest pain

He can redeem the darkest hours

Spin the chaff of sorrow into gold

Through His creative power

We may feel as if the sun

May never shine again today

But God is with us, God is working

And He will find a way

         By Frank Carpenter ©

 

Nonetheless

However the medical tests turn out

At the end of the wretched day

Whatever the future has in store

I shall not turn away

However You deal with my prayers

Whatever may yet befall

Though it shakes me to the core

I shall call you Lord of all

Whatever sorrow or sacrifice

Though the darkness is complete

I shall worship with my dying breath

Praise You with my last heartbeat

Crush me, I shall serve You still

Blear the narrow way with tears

I shall choose it nonetheless

To tread for all my years

Lord, I’m begging for a miracle

That may turn darkness into light

But if your will is otherwise

Give me strength to fight the fight

        By Frank Carpenter ©

 

This Day

Not sure if we’ll find out anything new

We heard what the doctors had to say

But we’re waiting for that final test

To come back to us today

The path ahead is shrouded

In a fog of uncertainty

But give us ears to listen, Lord

Give us eyes to see

Whatever you are saying

In this season of distress

And show us how you’ll use it

To encourage and to bless

We still beg for grace, Lord

In all we’re going through

So we lay this day before your feet

And trust our hearts to you

        By Frank Carpenter ©

 

Hope

I was walking in a darkness

For a week, or maybe two

As we processed all the news

And heard all you were going through

We were overwhelmed with sorrow

And disappointed to the core

Shattered pieces of our broken dreams

Strewn underfoot upon the floor

But Jesus wrapped His arms around us

As we came to Him in prayer

Enfolded us with tender mercies

In His arms of love and care

And as our tears began to dry

Through the course of weary days

Jesus cultivated joy

And shone light upon a way

Which we never would have chosen

Or imagined as our own

A path of blessings to be gathered

Where the seeds of pain were sown

We must never underestimate

What God may choose to do

In the midst of all the trials

We find ourselves going through

Even when the tide of hopelessness

Seems to well up all around

Jesus whispers quiet words of hope

Which could not otherwise be found

He showed us how our brokenness

Becomes the fertile soil that He

May use to lift us up

And guide us to eternity

For those who wait upon the Lord

Who lay their burdens on His Son

Know peace that passes understanding

And find hope where there seemed none

        By Frank Carpenter ©

A Historical Perspective

                I have just finished reading a biography entitled “We Were the Lucky Ones,” which traced the experiences of single Jewish family in Poland through the Second World War. And while it specifically told the story of an individual family, it also recounted the atrocities they lived through. Prior to this book, I read another family story related to the atrocities perpetrated in China during that same time period. While I write from the isolated comfort of my middle class, seaside home in 21^st century America, I at least have the benefit of hindsight and historical perspective and countless reams of documentation regarding those conflicts.

                My first and foremost observation is that Germany, Japan and their allies were responsible for the deaths of as many as eighty million people during the 1930s and 1940s. I’m also very clear that some of the atrocities those nations committed are unthinkable, and arguably unforgiveable. Untold people from many countries were conquered, oppressed and slaughtered based upon principles of ethnic, cultural and military superiority, not to mention pride, greed and hate. If there were true “eye for an eye” justice in the world those two aggressor nations, and probably a few others, should have been utterly depopulated and wiped off the face of the earth. Fortunately, our better angels prevailed and the world chose only to directly punish the worst leaders and offenders.

                I’m an American, and before I spout too much about our being the good guys who entered the war in order to save the day for everyone else, I acknowledge our own history also has to be considered. Our experiment with the atrocities of slavery and the four hundred years we spent dispossessing the North American continent of its previous inhabitants is no less ignoble. Both chapters in our own history were based upon those same principles of ethnic and military superiority. Having acknowledged that fact, I return to my previous discourse by paraphrasing legendary Arthurian ethics and reminding us all that the historical perspective continues to show us that might doesn’t actually make right.

                I remember growing up in the 1960s and 1970 being so proud of my German heritage. And, in my defense, all of my German relatives immigrated here long before World War II. Nonetheless, even my relatives who fought against Germany in the 1940s instilled that cultural pride. Cultural pride is a good thing, but with the wisdom of hindsight I now know that those lessons of cultural pride needed to be tempered with some wisdom regarding the sins of the previous generations. No one ever told me what the Germans did to Europe in the previous decades. No one in my family ever inferred anything negative about others who were Jewish. I was just told to be proud of being German.

From that standpoint, I was a cultural innocent. However, with a blissful and in some ways a blissful ignorance as well. Perhaps time heals all wounds, and historical grace has its place in preventing inherited hate, but we sometimes forget too quickly. We clearly need to forgive, but it’s dangerous to forget entirely … and one generation is not enough time to forget such devastation and atrocity. We need to own our past. We need to talk about our past. We need to do so in order to inform our future. You can’t just extinguish eighty million lives and chalk them up to the collateral damage of history. We owe it to their memories that they shall not have died in vain. We owe it to their children and grandchildren, to our children and grandchildren, to learn from our past in order build a better future. Only then, will we be prepared to meet the societal challenges of the future.

My challenge to you is to speak with the oldest members of your family and capture their memories of World War II before they are lost forever. We owe it to our future to reconcile the past we all share. If we don’t, then we are destined to repeat it.

To Accomplish Nothing

A few weeks ago I just needed a little time by myself. Life had gotten a bit hectic and I felt like it was time to totally disengage for a few hours. It seems like a small thing, and perhaps others are better at unwinding than I am. Either way, I drove down to Balboa Island, purposely locked my cell phone and Fitbit in the car, took a short ferry ride … and then proceeded to wander aimlessly in my favorite wandering grounds for a few hours. My goal, for once, was to simply accomplish nothing. I did write a few poems, including this one, which is a true story. And yes, arguably, that could be categorized as accomplishing something. But if I hadn’t, then you wouldn’t be reading this right now. So enough of my rationalization. I’ll let the story tell itself. However, before I lapse into verse, I would challenge you to take an evening or a day off. Call it “me time.” Call it Sabbath. Call it whatever you like, but sometimes it can be a beautiful thing to step off the treadmill and see where your feet and your heart lead you. And if you end up accomplishing nothing? Well that’s alright. 

To Accomplish Nothing
Seems like I’m always on a mission
Lists to check and things to do
From one task to another
And my work is never through
Always something to accomplish
We just can’t let up the pace
When we’re not at work we exercise
So even leisure is a race
I needed to break the cycle
And climb off the old treadmill
So I made an evening of it
Since I had some hours to kill
I set out to accomplish
Hardly anything at all
To wander randomly about
As these were my hours, after all
It’s strange how walking changes
When you don’t have a goal to meet
Without counting steps or minutes
And you can turn down any street
Try out every park bench
Follow a cat or butterfly
Stop and talk with strangers
Stare at the water or the sky
I jotted down some verses
For a poem or maybe two
Sat a while with my eyes closed
Just to listen for something new
In short, I lived a life of leisure
In its purest form of ease
If only for an hour or two
Just as carefree as you please
I set out to accomplish nothing
Which is a good place to begin
Hoisted the sails of happenstance
And drifted on the wind
Was it an evening wasted?
You be the judge, my friend
But here I am at peace and happy
At my random evening’s end

          By Frank Carpenter ©

Southern Cross

Perhaps one more poem about some special stars. We’ve already established that I love to gaze up at the heavens, and often find some meaning there. I have a long relationship with Polaris, the North Star, which features prominently in the sky … and in my thoughts. In the northern hemisphere it’s the pole star, remaining roughly in the same position while the Big Dipper, Cassiopeia and the rest of the constellations dance slowly around it. For this reason, it’s been a friend to navigators for thousands of years. And it just happens to be the first thing I see when I walk out my front door in the evening, a reliable companion in a seemingly ever-changing world.

When we began traveling to visit our daughter’s family in New Zealand some years ago we had to leave the North Star behind because it’s only visible from the northern hemisphere. Yet we were also introduced to the Southern Cross, which is only visible in the southern hemisphere and features prominently in the culture there. It even graces the flag of New Zealand. I Immediately struck up a friendship with this new constellation, and as a sailor and navigator it had a particular meaning for me as well. Throughout my life I’d frequently relied upon the North Star to find my way or get my bearings. However, it was clear that I needed to point my daughter towards the appropriate celestial companion to take her own bearings on. She has her own family and her own life, and her own broad expanse of sky … and she needed different stars to point the way to her chosen home.

Back here in north America, with Polaris looking over my shoulder, I’m unable to view the Southern Cross. Yet, I know where to find it. Broad oceans may separate us, but the Southern Cross is etched indelibly upon my heart and I know it’s watching over those whom I hold so dear.

Southern Cross

As I walk out of my front door

Each night I’m greeted by

My old friend, the North Star

Hanging ever in the sky

But down under it is different

My North Star is out of view

So I must trust the Southern Cross

To keep watch each night on you

You can find it in the south

To the left of your driveway

And it can be a beacon for you

When you lose the light of day

Even though the Southern Cross

Dwells below where I can see

It will always be there for you

And I hope you’ll think of me

Our horizons may be different

And six thousand miles and more

Of empty blue Pacific

May separate our shores

But you are always on my mind

And we won’t feel far apart

If you look up at the Southern Cross

And know I hold you in my heart

             By Frank Carpenter ©

Shooting Star

A couple of nights ago I rose at 04:00 AM and set up a chair in the driveway to watch the Lyrid meteor shower. There several such events each year and when I happen to read about one it’s not unusual for me to find myself staring up at the sky at some odd hour of the night. I have a soft spot for (very) amateur astronomy and it’s a common occurrence for the late night dog walking neighbors to catch me just standing in the driveway and gazing up into space. The stars simply fascinate me. They always have. Even though I can only identify a handful of stars and constellations, they hold a certain explainable wonder that I’ve carried with me since childhood.

Which brings us back to the other night. It was supposed to be the best of several nights of viewing the Lyrid meteor shower and the popular websites promised as many as 10-15 shooting starts per hour at its peak. So there I was, bundled up and sitting forlornly in the driveway … probably looking like my wife had kicked me out of the house. But I was there on purpose. However, the promised celestial show just wasn’t happening and after an hour or so of shivering in the dark I was just about to close up shop and hit the shower. But suddenly I was rewarded with an awesome shooting start that was both bright and right where I was looking. And here’s the thing, I was completely satisfied. So often in life I feel like people want to be wowed by abundance. They want to be grandly entertained, and then stack their stack their piles of memories like so much firewood stacked on the side of the house. But the sky isn’t like that. The sky is big and beautiful and miraculous, but pretty slow from the standpoint of pleasing a pleasure seeking crowd.

So much of life is like that as well. It’s less like an action movie and more like the night sky. If you expect to be constantly entertained you find yourself just feeling bored or disappointed. Yet, if you understand that life is beautiful and amazing all time, punctuated by occasional moments of perfection, then you’re much better oriented to fully enjoy the show. That’s just how I felt a few nights ago when I was finally rewarded with that single perfect shooting star. And it was enough.

One Perfect Shooting Star

I rose in the dark of the morning

Donned my coat and hat and gloves

Dragged a camp chair out to the driveway

And directed my eyes above

I was up for the meteor shower

Of which I had read about

Wrapped in a blanket against the cold

Of a night with no moon out

I was welcomed by a starry sky

And as I waited patiently

A pair of satellites came and went

But shooting stars eluded me

Then, just as I was giving up

A single blaze filled the sky

And the shooting star I’d waited for

Greeting my wondering eyes

I had hoped for more last night

Yet, as I pondered upon

That fleeting moment of perfecting

Which had so quickly come and gone

I realized I found joy enough

In the wonder that was mine

At observing stardust set afire

For even so brief a time

For who indeed could ask for more

As we gaze at the heavens afar

Than to start their day

With the priceless gift

Of a single perfect shooting star

              By Frank Carpenter © 

Beyond the Whale

Our church has been studying the book of Jonah lately and that story touches on so many issues. Jonah is clearly a reluctant prophet, and one of the themes is what God can and will do in spite of our response to him. It’s about God’s love and compassion for people and cities, even when they have turned against him and are deserving of judgement. It’s also about how God’s will may be done and how he finds a way to accomplish it. There’s a personal story about Jonah’s hardened heart and disobedience and how God still chooses to use him. One of the themes I appreciate today is how God continues to surprise us even when we think our story is over.

Jonah runs from God, ends up in a terrible storm, is thrown overboard and is swallowed by a large fish. Let me pause say that it doesn’t matter whether it was a fish or a whale or a shark (which is technically neither). The story is miraculous regardless of what noun you swap into it. The point is that Jonah is utterly lost and should have died, which is what he wanted and expected. No air, no light, no hope … no Jonah. But God had other plans for him, so God intervened in a miraculous way.

And I think that’s the message for our lives. So many of us feel lost, and like we’re sinking into an unquenchable darkness. We may be depressed, or alone, or broken … or feel utterly lost like Jonah. But here’s the thing. God meets each of us right where we are and He almost always has another story in mind for us. God loves us and has compassion for us and He’s right there beside us even when we think we may have sunk beyond all hope of rescue. The fact is that God does some of His best work in those situations.

And what I want to tell you today is that your story isn’t over, it isn’t defined by what is overwhelming you right now. God has something better in store for you. Say that first awkward prayer, then reach out your hand and let him pull you out of the depths. The darkness you’re drifting through at this moment isn’t your final destination, and it may in fact be the very thing which prepares and qualifies to you to serve others in a way you may have never even imagined.

So look up, take heart and keep swimming. Because there’s a light at the end of the tunnel … and that light is God. And He still has something amazing for you beyond the whale.

Beyond the Whale

So often we are in darkness

Lost in the depths of the sea

Thinking our story is over

And that was our destiny

And in that moment it’s tempting

To sink into despair and regret

But as long as there’s breath within us

God isn’t done with us yet

He meets each of us where we are

No matter how deep we have gone

He draws us from the murky depths

And offers us grace to carry on

Our God is a light in the darkness

No matter how black it may be

And He can redeem any story

If we turn to Him wholeheartedly

He’s reaching into the depths right now

Extending His hand to you

Ready to pull you out of the water

If you will only ask Him to

Like Jonah, you may be sinking

But that need not be your tale

God has something amazing in store

For you ... beyond the whale

        By Frank Carpenter ©

The Height of Vanity

We live in a society which is slowly becoming more progressive and humanistic. Whether you call it postmodernism, or subjectivism or relativism, we continue to elevate the self-importance of human existence, accomplishment and thinking. Yet, we are mere specks in the broad expanse of the universe, mere blips in the endless march of time, and little more than a tiny footnote in the history of this beloved sphere. Whether created, transplanted, or the fortunate winners of an evolutionary lottery, we humans seem to have a constantly eroding layer of communal humility in light of our brief tenure here on earth. We have convinced ourselves that we are, at least figuratively, at the center of the universe … as if it was our destiny not only to exist, but to rule this planet. This haughty approach to our tenuous toehold on this little rock in the abyss of time and space should be a bit embarrassing. Because whatever your world view may be, we humans are just plain lucky to be here at all, let alone to be blessed with all that this world has to offer our species.

Now it would be disingenuous not to disclose that I’m one of those supposed narrow-minded, fundamentalist religious people who actually believe there is a God who had a hand brining about this world and continues not only to take an interest in our existence, but to actively interact with us lowly humans. How crazy is that? I would argue about as crazy as thinking some combination of warm, murky water and chemicals could swirl together into a functioning life form and eventually grow into us. Is the idea of God creating man from dirt really any more far-fetched than nothing creating man from dirt? Even the most basic bacteria, despite its simplicity, still contains a highly developed cell structure with a variety of interactive parts which are required for it to exist as a legitimate life form. No matter how much you cook or swirl chemicals together, or bombard them with cosmic rays, you just can’t get the kind of amino acids or building blocks of life to actually build life from what is lifeless; let alone the intricate, interdependent biological processes which support life as we know it. However, we simply refuse to accept that maybe, just maybe, a God might be involved. But never fear, scientists are still working around the clock all over the world with hopes of proving that God wasn’t necessary and, therefore, God doesn’t exist. To date, however, the theory that there is no God is still supported by less evidence than the theory that there is a God. If you like, we could just agree that the jury is still out. Or do you believe that your theory is absolutely and unequivocally right and that we shouldn’t even allow any conversation about a God or creation. If so, I believe that would make you a narrow-minded fundamentalist as well. Funny how that actually works both ways.

But all that being said, even if we merely evolved and boot-strapped ourselves to the top of the food pyramid, that would only make us the smartest animals so far. Or to quote Lilly Tomlin, “Even you win the rat race, you’re still just a rat.” We might be the best rats invented to date, but that would be all we’re qualified to brag about. In fact, based upon the theory of evolution, better rats will eventually evolve who may supplant us as rulers of the earth. Better rats who would out-compete us or out-produce us or out-think us, and who might even eat us. For to assume that we are the pinnacle and purpose of evolution, or that we have any kind of divine right to remain on the throne of nature indefinitely runs counter to the vaunted principals of natural selection. Any discussion of rights or purpose, or even meaning, would bring us back to some kind of truth that might point to a God or higher power. If we cling to evolution, then we have to toss art and science and philosophy and morality and music and literature out the window because our sole reason for existing is to pass the genetic baton onto the next, and hopefully better, generation so that they can do the same. That’s all there is. Evolution says that you’re only the king if you have bigger teeth or a bigger brain, and that another king will eventually eat you and take your place. If you don’t believe that, you may need to believe in God.

Either way, it’s still the height of vanity to assume that we’re actually something special … unless we were created in God’s image and that counted for something. But even then we’d be wise to remain humble in the face of eternity. Let’s keep these conversations going, because there’s much to talk about and discover.

The Height of Vanity

In this postmodern world we share

Every effort has been made

To remove the Lord from everything

We think and do each day

We’ve driven him from government

From schools and conversation

From intellectual gatherings

In every corner of our nation

We’ve blotted out the name of God

Wherever it was found

From every corner of our culture

Where once it did abound

For political correctness

For fairness and tolerance

We think that Jesus and the church

Must be hemmed in behind a fence

Of philosophical obscurity

Where subversive thoughts are sent

So that science may reign supreme

Throughout the social establishment

Then we wonder why there is unrest

Hate and violence and divorce

We ask what’s wrong with this world

And how things have taken course

But no wonder if we’re spiraling

Into darkness and decay

If the world is getting worse

Year by year and day by day

Can we remove the earth’s Creator

Who understands all things unknown

Can we dethrone the King of heaven

Who placed each continent and stone

Can we eradicate eternal truth

Or the source of morality

And make everything subjective

To the whim of humanity

It’s madness to assume that we

Could cast God from the world he made

And place ourselves upon the throne

Which was before creation laid

We simply can’t un-God this world

And it’s the height of vanity

For man to claim the crown of God

And supplant his majesty

         By Frank Carpenter ©

40th Spiritual Birthday

August 5, 2019

My 40^th Spiritual Birthday

Dear Friends,

I’m writing to you because I’d like you to share an important milestone with me. Forty years ago today, on August 5th, 1979, I asked Jesus into my heart and gave my life to Him. It happened without much fanfare. Although it was a Sunday morning, I was lying in bed just thinking when, suddenly, it all made sense. That moment was the culmination of a three year journey of attending high school and college groups at Mariners Church, many conversations with caring and patient friends, reading the bible, God’s strategic placement of spiritual mentors in my life, a lot of people praying for me, and countless nights sitting on the cliffs above Big Corona just staring at the ocean. It was just a simple and probably awkward little prayer, but it altered the course of my life … quite literally forever.

                                            

So many of the blessings in my life have come as a result of the spiritual journey that began that day. Obviously, that decision was the pathway to reconciliation with God, forgiveness of my sin, and the promise of an eternity in heaven. As a bonus I also met Nancie through church and we truly believe that the faith we share is at the core of our nearly four decades of happiness and successful marriage. Chris and Cassie also both accepted the Lord through church and their faiths are still going strong today, along with being shared with believing spouses. That legacy of faith and hope is now something I'm praying for in the lives of our grandchildren, Aubree, Kasen, and Olivia. We have made many life-long friends through church and bible studies as well who are still walking this path with us, even decades later, and the community they represent continues to be a comfort, a joy, and a source of strength for us. We're looking forward to growing old (as slowly as possible) with all of those friends.

And while I certainly want to look back and celebrate the life and relationships faith has brought us thus far, I would be remiss not to look forward as well. We have a promise of eternal life, but that's not just something that happens when we die. For those who believe, eternal life has already begun. In short, it's right here and right now, and we need to live accordingly. Especially in our affluent southern California it's easy to become complacent and comfortable. But God wants so much more for us, and from us. In my heart of hearts, I feel like one of the reasons that God put me on this earth is to remind folks of that; to remind us that God has uniquely gifted each of us to serve him, and that He has a plan and a calling for each one of us. I hope that you will be praying about this and listening for His response.

I'm 58 and I've been at this Christian thing for forty years now. And while I do foresee a time of vocational retirement, there doesn't seem to be any biblical mandate for spiritual retirement. So I hope that you’ll continue on this journey with me for many years to come. And I hope and pray that we will all hold one another accountable to keep walking the walk and living the life we are called to. Or as Paul wrote in Ephesians 4, "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Let's all stay in the game and keep making a difference in this world where we were called to be both salt and light. Sometimes it's surprising to remember that God's secret weapon to change the world ... is actually us. So we cannot, we must not, shy away from that calling. 

If you're receiving this it's because I consider you a friend and I want to thank you for sharing your part of this journey with me. It's also my fondest hope that I've had some impact on your life as well. We're all works in progress, but it's so obvious to me how God has used the people in my life to bring blessing and help me become who I am today ... and I know he'll continue to do so. Thank you for being a part of God's work in me, and thank you for sharing my journey in some way so far. It has meant more than you could know. If you’re on this list, you are also on my radar to be challenged and encouraged, and held accountable. And I hope I’m on your radar as well because we’re all in this together. Whether we are seven or seventy-seven, God is not done with us yet. Absolutely not. In fact, he has a “next” agenda item for each of us, and I pray that each of us will be open to what that is. And whether we are around until next week or until we’re a hundred and twelve, I sincerely hope that we will keep living for God every day. That we will keep sharing about Jesus, and striving every day to hold open the door of heaven and invite everyone around us to share in a saving faith and an eternal life with our Lord. Let that be our over-arching purpose because in the end everything else is mere chaff.

I'm looking forward to another forty years of following Jesus and I plan to be "all in" until my last breath. Are you with me? Let me know if you are, and feel free to pass this on as well.

As iron sharpens iron,

     Frank

fcarpenter505@gmail.com / 949-812-1145

www.frankcarpenter.blogspot.com / @frankpoet

PS:  If you have received this and you don't believe in Jesus, or don't call yourself a Christian ... to you I just want to say that God loves you and He sent His son Jesus to bridge the gap between you and reconcile you to Him. God is real and available and He's waiting for you to respond to his invitation. And eternal hope is just one prayer away from you. If you’d like to talk about that subject I am always available.