Mary's Waiting is Our Waiting

"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19

We cannot talk about Advent, or wonder what the sacred act of waiting means, without talking about Mary. Mary is someone whose whole life was shaped by waiting--first for Jesus' birth, and then for his death on the cross.   Mary had no choice but to wait. Waiting sometimes brings with it deep emotion and struggle. How do you suppose she waited?   In Luke we find the angel Gabriel visiting Mary:               "The angel appeared to her and said, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.' But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be." Luke 1:28-29 Most of our modern translations don't give the word "pondered" much weight, but the Greek word dietarachthe means "deeply agitated." It can carry with it the idea of struggling or being "troubled." It seems to me Mary didn't just wonder about the angel's visit; she may have been unnerved, anxious, agitated. Furthermore, the form of the word used, dielogizeto, takes on the tense of on-going action, which seems to say that she didn't just think about it for a second or two, but that "troubled" feeling stayed with her for a while. After all, she was engaged to be married to Joseph. Pregnancy outside of marriage in first-century Jewish society would surely make her an outcast. Still, just a few verses later in Luke1:38 we catch a glimpse into this young girl's character, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." As Mary waited for the birth of Jesus we see that she did not sit and twiddle her thumbs. She went to visit her relative, Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. Can you imagine the conversations, the wonder, the questions in the hearts of these two women--sisters by divine appointment? Yet, they actively waited, rejoicing and praising the Lord, Scripture tells us, while preparing in anticipation for the birth of their children.   Later on in the Christmas story we find the word "pondered" again. It was after the birth of Jesus and after the shepherds' visit and after the word was out that a Savior was born, we read, "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19  I have always wondered about that verse.   While everybody around her was rejoicing, Mary was.....pondering? While angels were glorifying God in the highest heavens, Mary was pondering. What was going on? Maybe she saw the road ahead and knew it would not be easy for this little boy--her tiny baby--Savior of the World.   We were born for the purposes of God. Mary was a Jewish girl and as such she would have known the prophecies of Isaiah. It is likely, then, for Mary, that "pondered" was a deeply sacred awareness that God the Father had just acted in a profound, almighty way to fulfill his promises. When Mary pondered there was a movement in her spirit the likes of an earthquake of the soul: "My soul magnifies the Lord,and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."  Luke 1:46-47  God had moved in history and God had moved in her.  And so, my friends, we wait. We wait as Mary did--sometimes in anticipation and sometimes in agitation; but however we wait, let the sacred act of waiting move in you.   The longed-for Savior is born into this rag-tag world and we are never the same. His touch redeems our life.   Merry Christmas!  Greg

The Sacred Act of Waiting

"Advent offers us a gift of such importance; ...it is not  so much a season as a way of being." Paul Gooder

The sacred act of waiting--that's where we left off last week. And here we are in Advent: four weeks dedicated to what? To waiting!   It's interesting to note how often in Scripture God calls his people to wait:  The Israelites waited 40 days for Moses when he went up to Mount Sinai. Moses himself waited six days for God to speak to him on that same mountain. (Exodus 24) The prophet Isaiah, who foretold the coming of the Messiah, says this:  "...no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him." (Is. 64)  The author of Lamentations--probably Jeremiah--speaks these words: "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." (Lam. 3)  David says, "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." (Psalm 5)  Before Jesus ascended to heaven he told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for "...the gift my Father promised," which was the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1) It goes on and on. So what's with all this waiting? Well, I think it depends on how we wait. Waiting is an act in itself.  For those of you who have had children, you know that pregnancy means waiting. But it is such an amazing kind of waiting. It's not the sitting around, twiddling-your-thumbs kind of waiting. It's not a powerless, passive waiting. It is entirely the opposite! It is active waiting that includes much attentiveness, creativity, contemplation, prayer, preparation, hope. It sinks deep into the marrow and heart. It is still--but it is active. The Hebrew word that is often translated "wait" in the Scriptures carries along with it the meaning of "looking eagerly" or to "lie in wait for." It speaks of being an active "lookout" whose sole task is to gaze into the distance and watch for a particular person to come, and then being able to recognize them when they are still just a speck on the horizon.  Active waiting, then, is hope-filled, alert, attentive waiting. It is what Advent is all about. It is what this season is for. "We relearn how to wait," as author Paula Gooder puts it, "...a waiting that rests not in frustration but in stillness; not in frenzied anticipation but in an embracing of the present; ....finding meaning in the act of waiting." Finding meaning in the act of waiting for the Child-King. With you, I wait.... Greg

The Meaning is in the Waiting

"The Lord waits, that He may be gracious unto you." Book of Isaiah

For those of you who grew up in a mainline church, you know that the four weeks on the church calendar preceding Christmas is called Advent--a time of waiting. In the church my family attended when I was a boy, we ceremoniously lit another candle on the advent wreath each week, signifying our "waiting" in anticipation of the baby Jesus' arrival on Christmas Eve.  Last Christmas Ethie gave me a little book about Advent titled The Meaning is in the Waiting by Paula Gooder. In it she talks about finding meaning in the sacred act of waiting.    We Americans, with our instant soup, credit card, microwave, "pop-tart" society, aren't very good at waiting. It's not our forte.  And yet, we get a lot of practice at it: we wait in lines, we wait for our check, we wait in the doctor's office.   We also wait for God. We wait for our prayers to be answered, our families to be healed, our hearts to be changed. We wait for direction or clarification. We wait for hope.    We wait. And we think it's a waste of time. Time is made to be spent, managed, saved; not wasted by waiting. But it is God's time, and there is always enough of it--more than enough. And so we are invited to wait. Just wait. As I read the book I realized something: It is not only we who wait. God waits, too. He waits on us for our attention, for our ear, for the turning of our hearts. The prophet Isaiah says, "The Lord waits, that He may be gracious unto you."  This Christmas, I want to learn more about how to wait upon the Lord. After all, God isn't in a hurry. Time belongs to him. It is we who need to quiet our spirits....and listen....and wait.  There's much more to say about this, but it will have to "wait" until next week! For now, we lean into this sacred act of waiting during Advent.  Grace and Peace as you wait for the Christ Child,     Greg

I Believe

"Who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"   Isaiah 53:1

We are now full throttle into the holiday season. I don't know about your neighborhood, but little lighted angels have popped up on the lawns in my community this week, trumpeting and twinkling in the dusk.    Christmas, with all its beauty and twinkling lights, presents to us one vital question: Are we going to believe this unbelievable Christmas story or not? Do we believe there was a baby, Savior of the World, born in a dirty cattle trough?    Unbelievable! That's how many people view the Christmas story--as if it were some fairytale children's story, way too simple for our sophisticated, rational minds. I disagree.  We've been talking about vulnerability on Monday nights and it got me thinking... Being vulnerable is usually spoken of in terms of our human relationships, how important it is to be able to share who you are with those you love and with those who love you. We all know that emotional vulnerability is a key to any meaningful relationship. In fact, it is essential. One cannot stand back with arms crossed and enter into a fulfilling intimate relationship. We must be willing to be vulnerable.   But what about relationship with God? And what does this have to do with Christmas?   Christmas is all about God, through Jesus, putting on skin, walking among men, becoming human, a mere man. And as he was born into the world on that night, he took it upon himself to be--you guessed it--vulnerable. He, King of the Universe, made himself dependent upon a young girl for food and care. Hmm. Vulnerable.    Christ, in becoming man, did not cease to be God. He didn't lose his position or his divine attributes; he voluntarily set them aside to take on our humanity in all its ugliness and depravity. Vulnerable.   Scripture tells us that Jesus would be a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief. One whose hands and feet are scarred. One who was despised and rejected by man. Vulnerable.   As the Christ poured himself out for us, he did not stand back at a distance with arms crossed. From the very moment he entered this earth until the day he left it, he willingly made himself vulnerable. It speaks to me of relationship. It models to me humility. I believe God meant it to be that way. I challenge you this year to embrace the love story that is Christmas: God putting on skin and becoming vulnerable for our sake. Believe!  Greg

Giving Thanks

Gratefulness is the key   to a   happy life that we hold in our hands,    because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have,   we will not be happy-- we will always want to have something else or something more.    BROTHER DAVID STEINDL-RAST Benedictine teacher

Thanksgiving. Giving thanks.    I have come to the conclusion that there is a difference between being thankful and giving thanks. What do you think?  Last Sunday morning at Breakfast Club we talked about the story of the ten lepers found in Luke, Chapter 17. They stood along the road, these men with smelly, contagious sores on their bodies, and when Jesus walked past they called to him, asking him to heal them.   And he did. All ten lepers were healed on the spot. Wow.   Now I'm sure they were all very "thankful" for their new-found health! But, interestingly, only one of them went back to thank Jesus personally. Scripture says the one leper returned and "...threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him..."  Then Jesus said something interesting to him. He said, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." The word for "well" in this verse is sozo in the Greek, often translated as "whole." The literal meaning, according to Young's Translation, is "to save."   All ten men were healed; but it seems this one man received wellness beyond the physical. He received a wellness that saved him and made him whole. And when did that happen? When he bowed at Jesus' feet and gave thanks. Perhaps this "giving thanks" triggered a deeper dimension of his faith that released wholeness and wellness to all of his being in a far deeper way than just the physical healing that occurred.    So it would seem there is something about the actual giving of thanks that is important for us. Maybe that's because being thankful is an attitude--a passive stance, while giving thanks requires something more from us. It requires action on our part. We need to speak it out loud, or write a note, or even throw ourselves at Jesus' feet.    The Bible is full of encouragements for us to give thanks, not just be thankful. It looks like giving thanks is a necessary part of living life to the fullest, an essential part of living well and becoming whole. A good thing for us to ponder on this day of thanks.   "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 107:1 Happy ThanksGIVING!  Greg

Heart of Gratitude

learn the language of gratitude you will never be on speaking terms with happiness. Thanks to Gayle, who sent me this quote a while back. Hooray for Heros! Hooray for Heros is a project to honor the men and women in our military. We chose a unit that is very dear to Cyndi's heart--her son's unit, deployed to 5 bases throughout Afghanistan. Because of your generous donations we have just boxed up our third and largest mailing. This week we will send 7 boxes that the soldiers will receive in time for Christmas. They are filled with necessities: toiletries, food, notebook paper, goodies and LOTS OF LOVE! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR DONATIONS TO THIS CAUSE. If you still want to give, you can chip in for postage to mail the boxes. Talk to Elly.

You cannot approach Thanksgiving without thinking about Gratitude. Thankfulness. Praise.   These are things God desires from us. They're part of our faith journey. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18       We may be tempted to think it is impossible to give thanks in all circumstances, especially the bad ones. But isn't it intriguing that God doesn't think that way? His word is clear: In everything give thanks. Or maybe I could paraphrase it: "During every dark day give thanks," or "In the midst of every mess give thanks." Or how about, "In even the worst of situations, God is worthy of our thanksgiving and praise."  That is so foreign to the typical way we think. Everything? Always?   I believe gratitude is learned. It doesn't come naturally to most of us. It is a mindset we choose and it is something we must practice until it becomes second nature to us. The more we practice gratitude the more we experience its powerful effect on our lives.    Something happens inside us when we choose to go through our days and weeks with an attitude of praise and gratitude, no matter what.  Gratitude is the springboard to joy and happiness. Therapist and author, Melody Beattie says:  "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.       It turns what we have into enough....and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.       It can turn a meal into a feast,            a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." I have noticed something; maybe you have too. There is always a reason to be unhappy. There is always a difficult challenge in front of us. There's always a mountain to climb. There's a glitch in the Matrix, Neo. Gratitude. Thanksgiving. Praise. These are the things that are to be a constant in our lives, drawing us ever closer to our Father's will for us. This holiday season, let's try a new approach. Let's choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives, but on what we are grateful for. Just try it. It's not going to hurt us, and we might find a small seed of new-found joy and happiness bursting up inside.       What do we have to lose?   Greg

Dancing in the Rain

Life's not about waiting for the storms to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.    ~Vivian Greene~

Life's not about waiting for the storms to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain. We have all heard that quote. It sounds kind of Pollyanna, but if you look deeper I think it contains a great truth. I know a lot of people who wait to be happy until their lives are perfect and hassle-free. It never happens. The storms of life never let up, whether it is a broken relationship, a financial crisis, a devastating diagnosis, a disappointment, an unfulfilled dream.     God doesn't think we need to wait.  Life is uncertain and storms are guaranteed. They often overlap, bringing one challenge after another. Sure, there are islands of calm, but soon the thunder is heard in the distance and before you know it, it's pouring again.   I think there is an unspoken perception that we should not have to endure these difficulties. Surely God will protect us from all that! But God never promises a life without trouble; he just promises his faithfulness and peace in the midst of it. In fact, he doesn't talk about simply gritting our teeth and "enduring" hardships; he goes a step beyond that--to joy. Perhaps even dancing. That might sound just too unrealistic. A tall order to fill. Not fair. Hard to swallow. Doesn't God know what it takes? He doesn't understand how hard it is! Friends, we who love the Lord have his Spirit within us. Scripture tells us that we are in this world but not of it. We can reach down and find that peace and joy in him, no matter what the circumstances. Wrap your arms around it. It is ours to embrace as sons and daughters of the King.  In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33    Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." John 14:1  "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Sounds like dancing to me. Greg

Fix Me Please!

"I am my Beloved's and He is Mine, His Banner over me is Love."    ~Kevin Prosch~ His Banner Over Me from Song of Solomon

I love our neighborhood. I love the many walking and biking trails that wind through the greenbelt by our house. My dog likes them too. But on a beautiful morning not so long ago I came across this message scrawled on the sidewalk in chalk: Fix Me Pls!      I pondered the message, wondering who wrote it--and why. Was it written as a joke simply to tweak the minds of those who would come across it the next day? Or was it a cry from the heart, written to the universe....or to God....or to whoever might listen?     I think shame and its accompanying baggage is one of the most cruel lies of the devil. It says to us that somewhere deep inside we need fixing, and it's probably too late. Unlike guilt, we cannot easily deal with shame because it strikes at the very core of who we are and sneers at our very existence.   Guilt is about our behavior--our conscience. It can be good and actually helpful if it is recognized and dealt with. If we do something wrong or we hurt someone, guilt will usually raise the flag to get our attention so we can make a correction, repent, ask forgiveness. We are wise to heed it. Guilt says, "You made a mistake."   Shame, on the other hand, says, "You are a mistake." It tells us that we aren't good enough, or pretty enough, or have a prestigious enough career, or make enough money, etc. The list goes on and on. Shame leads to  depression, addictions, a diminishing self-worth and, eventually, self-rejection. And this poisonous conclusion then soaks to the core of our being. Ping! The Accuser has hit his mark. But God tells us something different.   Christian author and teacher, Henri Nouwen, says, "Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the "Beloved." Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence."   That, dear people, is why we want to bring shame out of the dark and hold it up to the light--the light of the Father's eyes who looks at his created being and gives us a new name and identity: His Beloved. Let that wash over us until we have the courage to say it and believe it--until we have the audacity to shout it from the rooftops and sing it to the sky!   We have a core truth and it is this: I am the Beloved of My Father.   Who you gonna believe?  Greg

The Power of Loosing

God has not called us to be people who COPE. He has called us to be people who CONQUER. ~Jack Hayford~ Penetrating the Darkness

"...and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19    Last week I wrote about binding. Loosing, of course, is the opposite of binding. It's all about freedom and liberty. In John, Chapter 11 we find the story of Lazarus, Jesus' good friend. Lazarus had died and had been in the grave several days when Jesus arrived at his home. We all know the story. But here's the interesting part: when Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, Lazarus "came forth" fully alive! He should have been ready to go! After all, Jesus had just raised him from the dead. Still, the words of instruction Jesus gave to those who were there on that day to "loose the grave cloths and set him free" imply an additional step. What's that step? When someone gives their life to the Lord and makes a decision to follow him, they are saved by the grace of God and are heirs to the throne. But they still need to be unbound in order to be set free. And we, my friends, get to do the "loosing," both for ourselves and to help others. And what things do we need loosing from; and what do we need to help loose others from? How about unhealthy ties that hold us back. Things we won't let go of. Past rebellion, sin or disobedience. Residue from past hurts. Stinking thinking. And the big one--unforgiveness. Our human spirit is not made to withstand the poison of unforgiveness. It needs to be loosed! When we are angry, worried, upset, anxious or fearful we often use the phrase, "I'm tied up in knots." Don't let it be so! Loose it! We were broken free from sin when we received the salvation of our Lord. But to live free is a life pattern--a daily choice to walk in the freedom that was purchased for us on the cross. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1 May we live as people who know the power of the cross to loose. And may we welcome that freedom, purchased at a price, in our lives each day. May we be aware of those around us who may need our help in the process of loosing. It is my prayer that we grow in being people who "set the captives free." Greg

Binding & Loosing

So take your place. Let's tune to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He whispers, "I have drawn you  to the Savior's life and grace, but now I want to shape you into His likeness   as instruments of redemption."   ~Jack Hayford~ Penetrating the Darkness

"And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19 We talked about this passage in our Fellowship of Followers meeting this past Sunday night and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind since then. It's such a power-packed verse, but what does it mean to us? In his book Penetrating the Darkness, Pastor Jack Hayford gives us some great clues about all this binding and loosing. First of all, he writes: "The grammar is profound. A literal rendition of the verbs shall be bound and shall be loosed into English is that each 'shall already have been bound or loosed.' The verb form in each case reflects action achieved in the past that now becomes effected in the present."   Wow. That means, friends, that Jesus has already accomplished the binding and loosing through his death and resurrection on the cross . It is finished; it is accomplished. Our great privilege is to step forward under his guidance and invitation to apply it in our prayers and ministry to bring about his plans here on earth.    Pastor Hayford uses the example of knitting.   I wouldn't know because my Mom didn't knit much--or else I didn't pay attention--but apparently there's a knitting term called Binding off. It's the term used for finishing off what you are working on with a certain "binding" stitch that secures the row so the whole piece doesn't unravel.    Do you have anything unraveling in your life? Something that needs to be knitted back together? Maybe it's a marriage, or a friendship, or a wayward child. Or maybe it's an illness or a job loss that is causing your life to unravel. We can exercise binding prayer through the power of the Holy Spirit to deal with situations that are unraveling and see them restored and redeemed.     How about our nation or our church community--something or some group that is fractured or separated? I looked up the word "bind" in the dictionary and one definition reads, "to unite or hold, as by a feeling of loyalty or love." It is the heart of the Father that his church be united in heart and spirit. Our fractured nation needs uniting. Our binding prayers as people of faith will unite, will hold.  Another definition is "to fasten; to tie down." (Think of a seaman who secures the ropes to stop something from flapping or loosening in the wind.) Sometimes that flapping is us, isn't it? Or sometimes we need to bind the noise and confusion the Accuser throws at us. We can take a firm and faith-filled position at the cross of Christ, standing up strong to the incessant lies and oppression of the enemy and laying claim to peace; peace as a result of binding up and tying down.  There's so much more to say about this. Next week I will write about loosing and what that means in our prayer life. In the meantime..... Learn to knit! Greg

Did You Know?

Empowering people for Faith- Equipping people for Life- Helping people Heal.

A month ago I made some comments about Life Discovery and why we are--or are not--a church. It was called "What Makes it Church?" (See the e-news from September 13th.)  I heard from so many of you thanking me for my attempt to articulate our ministry more clearly. It got me thinking: maybe I haven't done a very good job of that. So here are some things about our ministry you may not know!  Some Facts About Life Discovery   I am one of several founding members of Life Discovery Ministries. We incorporated in 2005 as an Arizona 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.   Our Preamble: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19 NIV Our Mission Statement reads, "We are a ministry committed to empowering people for faith and life by proclaiming the love of Jesus Christ."    We have a Board of Directors consisting of seven individuals who have a heart and a love for this ministry and who understand its mission.   I am called by the Board of Directors and employed part time as Director/Pastor for Life Discovery. As Director I take part in most Board meeting discussions but I am not a voting member. Our Board usually meets twice a year, with our annual meeting being held in November of each year.     Our Board Treasurer handles all financial matters for the ministry including donations and offerings, deposits and disbursements, budgeting and accounting, all necessary paperwork for state and federal government agencies, insurance needs, taxes, etc. A small stipend is allocated for this important work.   Decisions by the Board are filtered through the lens of who we are as a ministry, always taking into account the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit for future direction. New program ideas, or a major shift in old ones, are generally discussed by the Board. The Board also exists to ensure sound legal and financial policies and practices.    Life Discovery is funded completely by your donations.      In closing, I believe God has called this ministry into existence to meet very specific needs in the body of Christ: healing broken hearts and "proclaiming freedom" for those who are oppressed or held captive. The thread that runs through our programs is one of freedom in Christ to be and become who God already says we already are.  "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."  John 8:36  May the Good News be proclaimed! Greg

40 Days of Prayer

 

Imagine what God would do if we cried out with one voice... storming heaven on behalf of America. David Butts

I have a challenge for all of you.   Election Day will soon be here. You might be a republican or a democrat or somewhere in the middle, but WE ARE the Body of Christ and as such we are called to pray for our leaders and our country. The problems that face our nation will not be resolved by any particular candidate or party; our salvation is only in returning to God, the One who--in the blink of an eye--can heal our land for His glory.    "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14        David Butts, founder of Harvest Prayer Ministries, has called upon the Christian community in America, urging us to pray for our nation and on behalf of our leaders. The movement is called "40 Days of Prayer for America." He has written a 40-day prayer guide to help us intercede during one of our nation's most critical times leading up to the election. Each day has a different devotional focus, Scripture and prayer. The good news is, you can start now! You can have these daily prayer guides emailed to your in-box each day as a reminder by going to www.40daysofprayer.charismamag.com   I know we are already 7 days into this, with only 33 days left until the election. No worries. You can just start now, and if you want to go back and pray about the topics you missed we will have a list with those missed prayer guides available for you the next couple times we meet. So let's join the many churches and Christian organizations that are taking up this challenge and seeking God for our nation in these days.   Prayer moves people;   prayer changes outcomes;  prayer battles evil;  prayer is our part in bringing the Kingdom of God to earth.  Imagine what could happen!  Greg

You Drive Me Crazy

"A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes." Proverbs 14:29 (LB)

Remember when you were a kid on the playground at school? Think back now--way back! It's recess. Kids are playing games or swinging or climbing the jungle gym or gathering in little circles to talk. In the middle of the typical playground squabbles and joking around somebody goes up to somebody else and does a little pantomime. If you were that kid it would look something like this:   First you would point to that person (you); then you would take the wheel of your imaginary car and navigate some tricky curves (drive); then point back at yourself (me); and for the grand finale you would hold one finger up to the side of your head and twirl it around, often adding theatrical moves like rolling your eyes or stumbling around (crazy).   There you have it; a message in pantomime: "YOU DRIVE ME CRAZY!" It would generally take very little to provoke this performance out of most of us kids, especially the boys. We'd do it in response to a silly joke or comment, a difference of opinion about whether the batter was safe on base or out at first, or just because we were frustrated and didn't know what else to do. We boys would do it especially to the girls we liked. (That was a tactic to get noticed by them and show them how clever we were, but throw them off at the same time!) Oh, the mixed messages that are conveyed on the playgrounds of the world. So here's a question for you: Do you ever feel like doing that to somebody as an adult? You....Drive....Me.....Crazy!  I do. But we're never too young or too old to learn better pantomimes. When people get on our nerves we face a choice of whether to act with maturity, love and wisdom or react with exasperation and impatience. The decision is ours and it is usually made in a split second.  "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Phil 4:5  This Monday night I'm going to speak about Relationship Wisdom. Wisdom is something we do--not just what we know. All of us need this; I hope you can come.     Greg