Following the Leader

At campsite ne morning, my coffee time included the woodsy version of the Today show . Starring 2 squirrels, who provided entertainment , then lesson, while playing a mating game of chase through the forest floor……. One the leader, the other the follower ….. As they raced with amazing speed, from tree to fallen log, in short explosions of leaves and twigs across the forest floor……

While Watching; my thoughts traveled to my own version of follow the leader….. Jesus style..

Some of His leads, that have always challenged my heart, are teachings of two of my favorite Christian authors ……. The first is Dietrich Bonhoffers’ first chapter in The Cost of Discipleship entitled “ Cheap Grace”

I’d give you his exact quote , but I’m afraid I have given away all my copies of his book.
However, in one well worn copy that had proven a good companion on many a walk or stay in the woods,… I had annotated , something like this :

His (Bonhoeffers’), passionate discourse was about a form of Christian grace.
Grace that costs nothing and is available, to be dispensed as one would give a small child a bandage for every bump, bruise, or scrape.

Grace passed out to all who enter the doors, like a program bulletin for Sunday Worship….. No cost or sacrificial living, only more grace to match more sin……

Grace given ….Thinking nothing of Christ’s words, “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me”
. Luke 9:23



Clive Staples Lewis takes the same thought process further, as he maintains in his essay, Virtue and Vice,

Jesus warned people to ““Count the Cost” before following Me” …

He said , "I believe there is another dimension beyond what we may "give up" to follow the Christ….. "

He imagines Jesus as saying , "If you let me, I will make you perfect, Holy … the moment you put yourself into my hands, ….that is what you are in for…… Nothing less, or other than that……..”

I can imagine the continuation of that conversation in the words of Christ,

“You have free will and can choose to push me away, but if you do not push me away, understand that I am going to see this job through ….. Whatever suffering, victories, tears or struggles it may cost you in your earthly life ……”

“Whatever it may cost you and whatever it may cost me ……I will not rest, nor let you rest until my Father can say that He is pleased with you as He said he was pleased with Me….. “

“This I can do................... and will do …......................… but I will do nothing less.”

Do I want to follow the Christ , that much, … that I will surrender to that kind of diligence in a Master……..or am I really just seeking the comfort of faith and the desire for an occasional small miracle ….having a spectator God who will “watch over” my life ; Be there when I call out, ….but not mess with my comfort levels ………

Its’ still a costly choice and one that I chose to make each day !

Texas Brass

Mix the intensity of good brass music with the enthusiasm of youth and you have a summary of the Texas Brass Concert last night in Kearny.

In a nice spectrum of musical expression , there were timbrels, drama, vocals and chorus all mixed with the big hearted

flavor of the southwest. One of the refreshing aspects of visiting bands is the chance to step out of the hip, hype, guarded

lifestyles of the NJ/NY metro area, and watch the interaction and expression of salvationist youth from a different cultural spectrum.

Struggles of youth, characterized by one witness last night, remain the same in any culture, but the form of expression can be uplifting heard

through the perspective of another part of our vast american culture. Watching the easy mix of NJ& TX youth in the fellowship time,

reaffirmed my faith that genuine Christlikeness and enthusiasm easily crosses any cultural lines. Pizza and soda quickly cleared the

hesitancy barriers of conversation, and laughter filled the distance between the eastern and western lifestyles. A growing circle of

hackety sack soon had 20+ NJ and TX youth in one end of the small gym bouncing off each other like the small ball in the game.

Our Youth Band provided a warm and accepting welcome to our guests, and showed that their quality is deeper than just musical excellence.

Starting New Things

Once you pass the signposts some say there is no going back ..... but those words are for the cowards and the liars of our world.

Excitment and the edges of living are only found by those who risk new things and go places where the handholds and the pathway is not traced by the passage of their own experience..

So into this world I leap with only small insignificant fears and nothing to lose by wandering in its wondrous universe.