The Sacred Things Hiding Amongst the Mundane

I pray this post finds you in a good place after this past week. I pray that you are able to be thankful and rejoice for yet another day of life and breath. I ask that as you read this that you think on this past week with a certain awareness of the simple things that have great value. Also as you ponder another week gone by I hope you have a sense of those moments that despite their simplicity were actually sacred.

If you think about it, each moment we live does not necessarily bleed smoothly into the next. They are not so much disjointed and completely separate, but instead could be viewed from the outside looking in as separate acts in a lifelong play. We face each moment and situation with a chance for making the most of it, or just going through it on autopilot. We risk either living up to some sense of greatness or just winging it and missing out on the tremendous power of an opportunity.

Don’t miss out on blessings because you simply won’t take the risk of living life as a participant but instead settle for being a spectator or worse, a victim.

Don’t get me wrong, I have to own up to sometimes taking what seems to be the easy way out, and finding myself instead bearing the very real burden of regret. It’s not a place where we really want to live and I firmly believe that if we stay in this place, we are in fact not truly living.

Look back on your week. Can you see the places where our lives intersected the sacred? Can you see where God spoke to you and let you know that He is very aware of your struggles, your weaknesses, and your desperate need for His unconditional love?

If you are like me at all, maybe you watched as others around you said goodbye (temporarily) to those who they loved and won’t see again until the other side of eternity. Maybe you instead walked a road of struggle to just put food on your table and longed for things to just get a bit easier. Or, maybe you had to take some deep breaths and push into each day as you faced private pain whether physical or spiritual (though I believe these go hand in hand).

I am sending this post with prayers attached for the both of us. I never have really had any easy answers for anyone. Though I am all for positivity and understand that God has already won the war over death, and pain, and suffering, I know as you do that this does not mean that we will not face these challenges this side of heaven. So, again I pray that you can lay your cares at the feet of your (our) Savior because He has walked our road and lived the realities of living in these frail bodies that we now dwell in. He knows your heart and mind and He sees every tear. We are not alone and He is only a prayer away.

To those of you who have said the hardest goodbyes this week. To you I can only give you this: What joyful and blessed reunions await you on that day when you too step over the threshold of this life into the waiting arms of Jesus. I can envision the hugs, and kisses, and warm welcome from those who we miss dearly when we meet them again. Until that day, keep singing the songs that remind you of the same faith that they share with you. Talk about the precious memories, remember all of the shared moments, and honor their memory. Rejoice that they are now in the great cloud of witnesses that cheer us on to the finish line of our own lives.

I’ll leave you with this. I went to the movies this afternoon with my two favorite girls. We watched the new Disney Cinderella movie. It was really well done and I am still pondering two things that it left on my mind. First, Cinderella’s mother spoke a precious legacy into her daughter before she passed away. Her mother said that no matter what life handed Cinderella, she needed to have courage and she needed to live in kindness toward others. (Please keep in mind that I know this is just a fairy tale, but hear me on this: “Never miss the moments in life where God whispers a truth to your heart, no matter what venue He chooses to speak to you through, including movies, books, the words of a friend or stranger, or nature itself.”) There is a brief and poignant moment near the end of the movie where Cinderella is faced with a choice. She can choose to be vindictive and possibly in some people’s minds to rightfully berate her wicked step mother for the years of abuse and lack of love that were unfairly heaped on Cinderella. Instead, Disney made the choice to have Cinderella simply just say, “I forgive you.”

Now, for some in the audience, I am sure this was missed. For myself, I actually caught my breath at that moment. Those words were and are very powerful. Forgiveness is extremely powerful! God has forgiven us (if you have accepted Christ as your Savior that is) for a lifetime of sin. This was and is a very great price that was paid to cover our shortcomings and failings to live up to God’s requirement of a sinless and blameless life. We have much to be thankful for!

Again, I ask you. Look back across this past week and take note of what God has taught you in every moment you lived. Hear His quiet voice and take to heart the things He wants you to do in the week ahead that will honor Him.

Run the race to the finish line! Keep your eyes on the prize of an eternity spent with our Savior!

In Christ,

Mike Meehan

<>< 

Shatter the Mirror

So I live in this poverty

Hard days and sleepless nights

Late to bed and early to rise

And still I face into the wind

You may judge me true

But please wait your turn

And get in the line

For you’re not the first

And you may be surprised

Or maybe again you won’t

For at the front of the line

Look carefully and take note

For the first one there

The one with the biggest stone

The one most ready to fight

Well, he wears my face

A strange thing is this judgment

This unwanted pity

This failure to understand

Introspection a dying art

You see I’ve observed this truth

And it’s really no mystery

We are often our own worst critic

No enemy so venomous as the self

So I challenge us both

I throw down this gauntlet

Scream out my barbarian cry

And then I whisper so very quiet

Let’s break these mirrors

For if I have learned even one thing

Gleaned one truth from this journey

Then it would be this one nugget

This one goad to move us forward

To break these ghostly chains

Is the key to a better future

And, you will not regret it

Won’t waste another tear

Gaze instead into your Saviors eyes

Look into them and see

See the love unearned

And, yet freely given

Demonstrated in nail scars

We are bought at dearest price

Rescued from darkness

And carried into a new day

A better future now assured

Our reflection not misplaced again

Not found in enemies lies

Not found in mirrors’ deception

But instead in dear Father’s gaze

In Whom I Have Believed’

Though I write now

From this place of doubt

Though my pen speaks

From a troubled heart

Do not doubt

And do not fear

That I know

In whom I have believed’

For time never ceases to flow

And life just doesn't slow down

For not even one of us

So, I hold no fantasies close

But I do hold some things

Close

The ones I love

And the Word

Who loved me first

These I hold dear

I cast aside some things

Some weighty painful things

For its these that hold me back

These sorrows that pull me down

For to place my faith

In the frail hands

Of those who like me

Are born of dust

To do this thing

Is to reach for something less

Less than truth

Less than hope

For my hope cannot be found

In finite things

In these fading flowers

In things that fall to dust

Instead, I anchor my hope

On the Eternal Rock

Tested by the passage of time

And unmoved by human thought

For you have turned

Your ear to my cries

And you have listened

When others shut me out

You have walked with me

Whether in darkest valley

Or over peaks of exquisite joy

And you've never turned aside

So in this moment

I must confess

And in this confession

I must speak clearly

When I am with you

I can let go my fear

With your hand at my back

I can bravely enter life’s battles

So in those moments

When trials weight

Lays heavy on my shoulders

Drags my heart into the depths

It’s at these times

Your spirit confesses for me

Before the eternal throne

And I am defended

And I am reminded then

That though I am weak

In this frame of water and bone

I’m made strong by your indwelling

So I stand here now

On this valley floor

And though I do not look back

I can still recall the altars

The stones laid out

In loving care placed

To remember all you've done

And to recall your faithfulness

So my spirit looks forward

With thankful altars behind

To a future rising now

Over misty heights yet unseen

The spark of hope kindling

And fanning into flame

My heart warms with peace

And my mind dares new dreams

And like so many of you

I set one foot before the other

Take in this gift of breath

And start on a new path

Each step powered with hope

Strengthened by eternal promises

My eyes are fixed upon our Savior

The one in whom I still believe

Just Another Day in Ferguson

Well, when you stay up too late for whatever reason, you end up sometimes catching up on the news of the day. And for me (you’ll have to try and forgive this) well I've given up on regular TV since it costs just way too much money these days (in my humble opinion).  And, don’t get me started on just home much of television is just so much aberrant garbage anyway. The old saying I think still holds true: garbage in, garbage out!

So, I happen to go on one of the local TV station’s websites to view tomorrow’s weather and what to I see, but the heartbreaking news that two officers were shot outside the Ferguson police department late today!

Once again, here we go. Really?!!

How do any of you think we will ever see peace over this? When, we cannot make some attempt at forgiveness?

The behavior of some people has become so wrapped up in revenge, playing judge, jury, and apparently executioner as well, that they now arrogantly think that these roles are their right. Revenge and justice belong to nobody this side of eternity other than God himself.

Don’t get me wrong, in certain circumstances I do believe it is ok to take a life, such as when you are in defense of your own life or that of a loved one, but to basically lay in wait for someone (such as these officers) and take them down to make your point, etc. is completely criminal.

Two wrongs never make a right!

Didn't your mother teach you right?!

Before I hit the pillow tonight, once again I will pass on some prayers for those like these police officers that need God’s healing touch and a miracle here or there to get them from this terrible day into tomorrow.

But as for the cowardly, murderous thugs, and hypocrites that shot these two officers, you are just as much a part of the problem as any of the officers that may have done you and yours wrong before today. Your actions will never bring peace. You now have added just another reason why unity between the races will continue to elude much of our country.

May God bring swift and sure justice down on your heads. They who live by the sword will die by it as well.

Only repentance, forgiveness, and love will ever see our nation healed. May God have mercy on us all.

Peace…

Mike

<>< 

The Returning Son

When darkness seems to reign

And roaring lion roams free

We cower and crouch in fear

Courage flees from weak knees

Some depend on the shine

Of gold and earthly treasure

Still others on power

Deluded by human praise

Falsehoods fly and tickle ears

Flattery flirts with prideful hearts

Ears are tickled by shallow promises

Birthright sold for momentary pleasure

Some feel we’ve evolved so far

Grown beyond our need for God

That we’ve become by science

And our wisest thoughts

Something greater

Something more

What great irony is this

What blindness begs

Wisdom tries to catch our eye

And we’re too busy

Clinging to our own accolades

Deaf are our ears

And blindness steals our sight

Always speaking into the wind

And never hearing His quiet voice

So the earth shakes

And all creation cries out

Since many have ceased

And no longer proclaim

The message of our Creator

The ransom he paid

For our redemption

Our dearly bought freedom

So I ask you this

To take up my feeble cry

Raise your fist at our enemy

Confirm his total failure

Raise the battle cry

Sound the trumpets of war

Lean into Master’s shoulder

Take up the armor of God

For He has gone before us

Laid waste the enemy’s plans

And we have but one duty now

To take back what He has won

So we walk this battle field

Our prayers a refreshing breeze

Breathe out His love with every step

And lift the repentant from their knees

So take heart weary soldier

For this darkness will not last

Raise your eyes towards Jerusalem

And watch for the returning Son

Somewhere in the Middle Lives a Realist

Ok, so here goes.

I have listened to many people over the years (as have you as well) who have their personal views on life, health, clean living, and success. My take after all of these years of listening seems to fall somewhere in the middle when it comes to how my worldview lines up against some of the very positive spins on things vs. the negative ones.

I would call myself a bit of a realist these days.

For the longest time, I have referred to myself as “the glass is half full” kind of person, but now I am again going to label myself more of a realist instead.

You see, there are those people that I have encountered who live in such negative and self-destructive ways that the negative consequences that they live with (to me at least) are really to be expected.

And, on the opposite side, I see that there are people that walk around in this constantly positive haze. A haze that refuses to acknowledge the negative, or at the very least, tries to sweep it under some sort of proverbial rug where they may know it’s there but at least they don’t have to look at it.

And, yet again, there are those that live somewhere in the middle. These people recognize the value of positive thinking, faith, prayer, self-sacrifice, and love. These people recognize that sometimes tough things happen to both good and bad people (yes there are, in fact, truly bad people). You cannot easily explain why these things happen, especially to the really wonderful good (from a human perspective at least) people.

So here I sit and I ponder all of the many things both positive and negative that swirl around me every day.

Here are a couple of examples that I know of that hopefully explain why I sometimes sit on the fence and call myself a realist:

1)      I am aware through my wife of a situation where a young mother (unwed, if that matters to you; it definitely matters to me), had a boyfriend that in a fit of anger violently shook this young woman’s baby and altered this little innocent boy’s future for ever (not to mention the lives of his extended family). Now, I am aware that there are both positives in this and negatives. The positives are that this tragic and preventable situation has drawn together this girl’s extended family as well as a new Facebook prayer community that is rallying around this boy and his heroic and selfless grandparents that have now taken over his care and guardianship. The negatives are that this young woman who seems to live in a deluded and foolish haze is standing by this boyfriend (not the baby’s father either) as if he is not the monstrous person that he has shown himself to be. Does he need Christ? Yes. Do we need to forgive him at some point? Yes. But, no matter what you choose to focus on at the moment, this is still a tragedy, so I remain a realist.

2)      I also, like many of you I’m sure, am aware of the recent murders of 21 Egyptian Christians by the Islamic extremists who call themselves (ISIS) (btw – I am still trying to come up with a really belittling and humiliating replacement for the acronym ISIS – I’ll post it on FB once I come up with it). Positives here, well just like the previous example, not so easy to think of but here goes: The worldwide followers of Christ are in large numbers now praying earnestly for the persecuted church. We are more glaringly aware of their plight and are even more aware of the threats to our own faith and practice here in the U.S. and we are thus better prepared to speak of and defend our own faith. The negatives, well I could really write a novel here but I’ll just mention a few things. These guys are the consummate cowards and bullies in our modern world. I mean really, if you are so great and your “religion” is the awesome thing you purport it to be, then why do you come on video wearing masks (the masks scream “COWARD!!!”). If these people were anything other than weak minded, bullying, backwater, cowards, murderers, and thugs, they would have the manhood to actually show their faces. I knew these types growing up and they never change. They are only strong when they hold a weapon and they are only strong when they are in their mob. Otherwise, they are just a bunch of girly-men. Do I have a shred of sadness for them? Yes, to maybe some of your surprise, I do. Please don’t misunderstand me though. They need Christ as much of the rest of us sinners and I believe that they truly do not understand what they have done and are doing. On this example, this is a whole lot of tragedy and it will not be resolved until judgment day (especially hard for the ISIS guys when they realize just how badly they have been deluded).

You may choose to view the above examples any way that you wish however, please don’t pigeon hole me and just slap the whole “negative Nelly” label on me.

I think that yes, sometimes we can have entirely too negative a focus if we’re not careful and this is sometimes blown way too far out of proportion by making the mistake of watching or listening to any of the myriad of the liberal news organizations in the world today. Let’s face it; they would not have the following that they have if they were not a bunch of ambulance chasing zombies.

However, there are many of us that behave like the proverbial ostrich and stick are heads in the sand (or possibly elsewhere… “did I say that?!”) and act like the world cannot affect us or our loved ones if we just ignore it. Let me tell you, you cannot expect to ignore the negative things in this world and have them somehow never impact you and those you love. That my friend is just foolish.

I am not advocating that we run around like some human “Chicken Little” and always be in a panic or always on the verge of a tearful breakdown. Instead, I am asking that you join me in being a realist. Keep your eyes open, both your human ones and your spiritual ones. Listen more and talk less. Pray as the scriptures say “without ceasing” and let your heart and hands be ready to show others the love of Christ.

I know that I can sometimes spend too much time worrying, focusing on the negative events of the day, or feeling judgmental towards those around me that simply are still spiritually blind and I know that you may experience this as well.

What I ask of you is this: Learn to recognize the difference between negativity and realism. Be ready to attack the former when it overwhelms your heart with prayer and then just start counting your blessings, live an attitude of gratitude, and serve others with enthusiasm. What you give away will come back overflowing in joy, peace, and contentment in whatever situation you are in at the time.

But, do not walk away from being realistic either, as I believe that to do otherwise is not an authentic way to live. The lost, the searching, and the skeptical people around you will not listen to the message you are trying to live and speak if you cannot explain how to follow Jesus both in the good times but also in the hard and tragic times that swirl around us every day.

Shipwrecked

I've lived this life and traveled far

Through many seasons passed

Chills of winter and summer sun

Valleys deep and dizziest heights

And like a tall ship

I've been cast upon the rocks

And called out in howling storms

Clinging to hope of rescue

I looked into the deep night

Cast my gaze far and wide

Looked for searcher’s lights

Waited long with patient heart

Stinging rain fell

Like persecutor’s arrows

And my heart grew faint

Tears lost in the rising flood

And it has taken so long

For my heart to learn

For this stone to be rolled away

For my soul’s ears to be opened

Can’t believe you’d suffer

That you’d be this patient

Waiting for my weak response

And give me chances unnumbered

How overwhelming is your mercy

Your grace deeper than my sorrows

Your love washes the darkness away

Your hope lifts me above the hurricane

And this is what you've led me to

A life being stripped clean

Excuses and distractions being left behind

Nothing left but one lingering question

Will I die to myself and just trust You?

From this seed is new life born

From this tiny spark

A new life filled with anticipation

A light is uncovered to shine bright

And here this one selfish life

Well, it begins to change

When Your light shines

From my heart into the world around

The darkness is washed away

Truth and hope pulled from my wreckage

A future of Your design created

And a man risen from the dead

And some say there is no rescue

No hero standing by to save us

I for one do not hold this as truth

And my hope is built on my Savior

So, if you like me, search the horizon

Gazing into the misty distance

And long for a hero to step in

Understand that He is already here

And he is just waiting for you

To look into His eyes

To call out his name

And reach for His strong hand

Jesus is our hero

Call to him today in prayer

Accept His help and strength

And move into the future He has for you

Stepping from the Boat

This week finds me in a place I have been in before, a place where as in times before in my 51 years I am faced with a burden of needing to decide how I will move forward in my life. And, there is certainly no less pressure on me now than in previous years. I am sure, were I single and bore little responsibility in this world, my decisions for 2015 would be far easier than they are now. In reality, I don’t have the luxury of being selfish. I have a family, a wife and daughter who need me to be strong and courageous, whether I feel that way or not.

You see, I just heard a very bright, successful, and godly young man speak yesterday. And what this young man said brought into sharper focus for me that there are two fundamental types of people in this world. There are those who get beat up by life and cannot get past thinking, speaking, or living as a victim. Conversely there are those who get beat up by this life as well, and instead of wallowing in the mire of self-pity, they make a conscious decision to step out of the boat and into the stormy waves to make their way to Jesus’ arms.

For you see, it becomes increasingly clear to me that none of us walks through this life without eventually bearing the scars of our story. For each of us the experiences are different and our perspectives are individual and unique. None of us can truly say that they know “exactly” what the other has gone or is going through. But, we have this savior, this redeemer that calls us out from our fears, from our self-preservation, and from our loneliness to live in the courage and the bravery that only our complete and total trust in him can bring.

In order to truly live, our fearful selves, our inner victim, our selfish hearts.. well, they must die.

Crucified daily, our hearts must be given over to Christ in absolute trust and faithful belief.

There is no other way for us to have victory over the people, the circumstances, or the fear that holds us in helpless bondage short of stepping out of the boat.

And, so I ask you: Has Christ been calling you out from your boat? Can you close your earthly eyes and see him with the eyes of faith? Can you make out his outstretched arms, his gentle gaze, and his smiling face as he stands waiting for you to stop grasping tightly to your fears? Can you imagine the weight of the chains of fear being lifted from your shoulders? What would your life be like if you just gave up and truly trusted Jesus to fill in the blanks that you feel inadequate to fill in?

I am committing to seeking Jesus’ help daily to set aside my fears and to step out more in faith to help others and to become the leader that my family and co-workers need me to be.

What will you do? What will you commit to? Are you satisfied and content to huddle in the boat, to go below and sleep while the storm rages outside? Or, will you step out of the boat in faith and truly trust that Jesus will never leave or forsake you, that he will not let you sink beneath the waves of your troubles.

The prayer that goes out with this blog post is that each of you who reads this will truly trust God in 2015. I pray that you will give up the fight and lean on Jesus’ strong shoulders and let him bear your burdens.

Let’s agree to trust him from now on. Let’s agree to not handle this thing called life on our own and to let him accomplish in us all the many plans he has for our lives.

Live radically. Live honestly. And pour your life out to serve others!

In Christ,

Mike

<>< 

A Four Letter Word

I have to start this piece out by saying this: Living the life of a writer, well, it’s not always that glamorous, nor is it all that convenient (for those of you who pay attention to the time stamps on Facebook, you might note the exceptionally early morning one on this release from myself). I woke up at around 2 am with my sinuses yelling at me about the Santa Ana winds that were raging locally and drying them out severely. Our cat Dakota, all twenty plus pounds of him cutting off the circulation in my legs and my stomach telling me that I was unreasonably hungry at this early hour, well, these things had got my attention and they were not going to let me sink quietly back into sleep despite my wishing they would.

With all that boring detail out of the way, after I was so rudely awakened by the above, I found my inconveniently awakened mind dwelling on several Facebook posts that I had looked at over the last week. These posts would have been forgettable if it were not for one key similarity; they all contained at least one four letter word that earned the reaction of me hiding them on my wall.

They each had a (in my opinion anyway) a highly offensive four letter word that even though I try to think of myself as enlightened, even though I fancy myself an expert at communication, and even though I think despite my occasionally strong opinions, I am patient and tolerant, I found myself angry.

There are words that we use these days. Words that (at least when I was growing up) would have once earned you a bar of soap in your mouth, an hour long lecture from Mom or Dad, or even a good spanking (ooohhh! Lord forbid we actually discipline our children!). And now, they just flippantly drop from our tongues, pens, or keyboards as if they were actually now cool, or cutting edge, or as if they had somehow lost their intended meanings.

I mean, nowadays, if I put something down like; “What the @#$!@?!,” you have already filled in the blank without a blink before you even finish reading the previous sentence.

By now, you may be wondering where I am going with this. I get it. Your time is precious and well, so is mine. I will get to the point now.

If you, like me, are a Christ follower then you should already know what scripture says about our tongues. They are a flaming fire. They can set the whole world ablaze. Their occasional poison can corrupt all that comes out from our lips.

Conversely, the things that can also come from our tongues can lift others up from their pain and hopelessness. We can educate, praise, and cheer on those around us with fervor and loving abandon so that the world is made a better place.

Wouldn’t you agree with me that doing all the good that is possible for us to do with the words we use is a better use of our words than those that tear others down or cause them to stumble in this already challenging walk through life?

Please don’t be offended if I tell you that I may have blocked some of you or even worse, un-friended others due to your frequent peppering of your posts with various 4 letter words that I don’t want my eleven year old seeing when she peeks over my shoulder. Because, shock of all shocks, yes I am still teaching my kid that these still offensive words are best left out of their vocabulary and will still to this day earn a punishment in our home for their use.

As followers of Christ, we are called upon to hold ourselves to a higher standard. We are strangers in s strange land. Aliens. And, we need to realize that we are being observed by those around us who wonder exactly what makes a Christian different than them. What separates us and distinguishes us from the rest of the religious followers that surround us and call out for our attention.

I’ve asked this question before and I am using it again now; “If being a follower of Christ was/is a crime, is there enough evidence against us to convict us?”

You see, this world is sending out so many messages these days about how we should live, dress, eat, and yes how we should speak, that I ask you: “What messages are we sending to those around us by what we say?” Do we care enough about the messages we convey and the ultimate impact they have on those in our circles of influence?

We are called by God through Christ to be a light, to shine his light to the lost world around us. How can they see or hear his message to them if they are distracted by our misbehavior? When we act like the world and we consistently speak like them, then how exactly do you think they are going to see anything in us that says Christ is worth following?

You see, I have seen a growing disease in the world today. It is a disease distinguished by many of us idolizing the rebel spirit, the pirate, the outlaw. Now, don’t get me wrong, Jesus was/is a rebel and this is clearly seen in scripture. But, for us to maintain and live out his rebel example, we certainly cannot justify much of our all too common behavior nowadays. I have been appalled in the last few years to even see some “so called” church pastors (not mine of course) using foul language from the pulpit in a sad and misguided sort of “shock and awe” campaign to either get our attention or drive home their point. I find this truly disgusting and indefensible and trust me I have personally witnessed it.

If through scripture, we are told that what we think and say should be pure, noble, and praiseworthy, then how is it that we fall into the trap of often speaking offensively? If we are told to avoid coarse speech and joking, then what justification is there for us when we are guilty of it?

Please hear me on this. I am not your judge. You should live your life and live it as you see fit. You answer to our God, not to me. I love each of you and even though I do block or unfriend those who cross my lines, I do not pretend to be perfect. I only ask that you occasionally check yourself. Look closely to see if what you say and how you are acting reflects who you are in Christ.

The things we say and do should not be a cause for any of our weaker (in the faith) brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble in their walks with him. And, we should be concerned about this. Even though we stand and fall to our God alone, we are held accountable for the influence we have on those around us. For good or bad, we are not islands and we cannot delude ourselves into believing that our behavior and the things we say go unnoticed.

The only 4 letter word that should define and distinguish us is this: Love! When people think of us, any “ugly” 4 letter word that we can think of, should not be what comes to mind.

I could go on and on with this subject, but for now I am shelving it. All that I ask is that you (like me) consider carefully the things that we do, say, and write. Many others around you whether you acknowledge it or not are in fact paying attention. You and I have a responsibility to filter these things through the guidance of our Savior in Christ.

Live free, rebel against the things of our spiritual enemy, love deeply, and speak the truth!

May God richly bless you and your family at this Christmastime 2014.

Sincerely,

Mike Meehan

Philippians 4:8

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

1 Peter 2:12

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Galatians 5:13

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Black and White vs. Unity

I am confronted these days

No, assaulted is a better word

My reason is violated

And my heart is in tatters

My eyes are tempted

Enticed to close

To turn the other way

To ignore the ignorance

My Mind craves denial

My logic begs for satisfaction

But, for these things I am denied

And all because of hypocrisy

When I have the courage

The strength to look

To venture past my own doorstep

And peer into what lies beyond

I find the World wanting

And I cannot believe my ears

My heart cannot deny the truth

The very air is filled with lies

There are those who often cry foul

Seeking to pull the board

To wrench it from other’s eyes

Ignoring the Sequoia in their own

Won’t spend too much time explaining

If you don’t know the current issue

The flavor of the hour

Let me tell you it’s all black versus blue

But this old world isn’t monochrome

And it isn’t black versus white

Nor is it black versus blue

No, it truly is a kaleidoscope

Won’t waste too much of your time

Won’t make up your mind

No fancy intellectual games here

Just plain simple me

At your service

And if you need some more hints

To help you see current events

Then all I can really give you

Well here it is, it’s just this

No color is better than another

Though God created them all

And He knows them intimately

In this instance He’s color blind

Don’t get me wrong

Or take me out of context

He hears our prayers

And he weeps over our losses

But he expects more from us

Than we seem willing to give

He wants us to set aside selfishness

Wants us to take up our crosses

And what cross is this

The primary one I speak of

The whisper roaring through my soul

Still small voice calling for our attention

You ask me

It’s this my friend

My fellow traveler

We are called to greater purpose

We need to stand shoulder to shoulder

You see, there is no victory

No battle won or true enemy defeated

Where we fight for our own rights

A servant’s life is what we are called to

Lest we forget

Lest we plead some ignorance

If we say Christ is our Lord

Then where is it we stand?

If we are to be reflections of redemption

If we are the peacemakers

Then how did we end up

On two different sides of this line?

Yes, my dear friends

My brothers and sisters all

Brutality is most certainly a crime

But so also is false judgment

And let me tell you

Something maybe you already know

Those sticks and stones

Those ugly names and vicious lies

Well, you and I both know they leave scars

There are no easy answers

To so much water passing

Far too much already under this bridge

So there is only one answer

One thing to start the healing

And yes, it comes with a heavy price

You know it won’t come easy

The strength to do the right thing

Comes down from on high

So what is this costly thing you ask?

What unknown miracle awaits our discovery?

Well it’s one that was given us already

Forgiveness

Without our passing it on

There cannot be

That which God asks of us

No healing without sacrifice

This black and white divide

So there it is in print

My call and challenge to you

And me

You can call it vague

You can call it ignorant if you want

But I tell you once more

Maybe in plainer terms still

We are called by our God to this thing

And a prayer by Jesus was spoken

That we would live in unity

So I beg this request

Of you this huge thing I ask

Lay down your sword

And I’ll put down my shield

Let’s remember who’s we are

Let’s set aside these painful things

Let’s forgive each other our failings

And seek peace while hand in hand

And then maybe together

We can accomplish the impossible

Break down these barriers once for all

And live to see Jesus’ prayer answered

And in unity we’ll bring healing

To war weary hearts bring rest

Drying these many shed tears

Repairing brokenness with overflowing love

On Thankfulness

Dear Friends and Family. 

We have reached that time of year once again where we set aside one day, one special day to ponder what we have to be thankful for. I know many of you who may see or read this today, may be struggling to feel a sense of thankfulness in the mountains and storms that you may be facing today. Please understand that I am writing this and sending out a general prayer for all of you attached with my own feeble love. I hope you feel it today.

If you are struggling with thankfulness, please trust me, you are not alone. Every week that passes by, I am sure that like me, you are faced with challenges, storms, hard decisions, pushing past pain, wandering through loneliness, and sometimes feeling like the mountains are just too high for you to continue on. But, I can tell you too, that there is always hope.

And hope has a name.

Jesus.

There are numerous sayings that I could quote to hopefully lift your spirits today. I am afraid though that for some of you they might just come off too cliché or insincere.

What I want to leave with you instead is just my heartfelt encouragement to stop right now. Take a deep breath (even if your heart is not in it just yet) and then let it slowly out while telling God thank you. Thank Him for the following things:

Thank Him for your precious and one of a kind life that only you have and only you can live to its fullest.

Thank Him as much for the storms in your life as much as the good times since I(We) know he walks with us through all of them.

Thank Him for the family, friends, and co-workers he has let cross your path and the many gifts both physical and spiritual that they have shared with you.

Thank Him that He has blessed you with yet another day to both live to its fullest and for the chances it gives you to pay His love forward to those your life inevitably touches.

And, Thank Him above all for His greatest gift, His life paid in every precious drop of His blood on a cross so long ago despite our unworthiness.

You can add all of your own thanksgiving to the above. God dwells here in the praises of His people.

Don’t just live this thankfulness today, but live it out daily. Write your thankfulness down in a journal to set up altars of remembrance so that you never forget God’s ongoing, never ending, and unquenchable provision to those who love and worship Him.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and may this precious special day start a tradition of daily thankfulness that carries you on until that day when you will be able to thank Him at his feet in Eternity.

In Christ’s love,

Mike Meehan 

Longing For the Easy Button..

So, I was thinking this morning (a dangerous task indeed), and my thoughts were circling around a specific theme. This week seems to be one of those crazy weeks where no matter what I do, things either just don’t work out the way I was hoping or expecting them to.

For example, I had recently realized that I needed to replace our water heater since it was way past its warranty period of 7 years. I was preparing to call for service last weekend when to my surprise, the heater sprung a leak. Well, needless to say, I now had to call and have a guy come out to replace it asap so that we didn't have to go more than one day without hot water.

Later in the week, I went to a doctor’s appointment only to find out after arriving that she did not have me down for the day I had arrived, but the following day. Needless to say, it’s a bad mix to have two ADD people trying to set an appointment with each other. Lesson learned: always verbally confirm the other person understands the details by having them repeat them back to you.

I don’t know about you, but weeks like this (and trust me the two things mentioned are far from all of the challenges for me this week) leave me feeling overwhelmed, breathless, and frustrated. We may wonder at times where is God when I need him. We think: Can I just catch a break? And, at others (if you’re like me that is) you ask out loud: Can someone just hand me the easy button for once!

I get it. Trust me.

But, in thinking carefully about this from a Christian worldview is easy what we really need? Never mind our wants.

You see if we had it easy, would there be any lessons learned? If we had it simple, would we grow and find ourselves stronger?

Since we have given our lives and hearts to Christ, I don’t think that simple or easy is necessarily best for us. And, our continued growth and increased strength are certainly needed, aren't they?

How can we shine brightly for Christ and God’s kingdom if we aren't seen as over-comers by those around us? For whether we like or not, people around us are watching us to see if Christ has really made a difference in how we face life’s inevitable trials. If we were always handed an easy way out of challenges, then our impact on those who need hope would be weak.

Don’t get me wrong, I know it is sometimes very hard to lift your chin, keep moving forward, and maintain a confident hopeful smile. But, the point is, we have an endless supply of power, positivity, and an assured future through our relationship with our Savior. In our times of weakness, frustration, and maybe even despair, we must actively place our burdens on the unbending shoulders of Jesus.

Today, if you’re like me there are things on your radar for the day or this week that seem insurmountable, overwhelming, and just too hard to face. Give these challenging things up to Jesus and keep moving forward.

I promise you that if you do this, you will be stronger on the other side. I promise that if you allow Jesus to shoulder the burden with you, that you will not only survive, but you’ll be an inspiration to those around you who need just that.

When we allow God to step in, he will not leave us unchanged. He will not let us go through these things without revealing in us new strengths, unseen gifts, and a deep sense of confidence in the hope that we have in him.

So, lift your chin, dry your tears, put a smile on your face and take your eyes off the storm around you. Focus your eyes on the kind eyes and the outstretched hand of your Savior and step out of the boat.

I promise you, you won’t regret it.

Mike Meehan

Matthew 11:29, 30

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The Small Flame

We enter this world

A small flame flickering

Lighting the world nearby

For those close enough to see

Every breath a miracle

Every coo and giggle a joy

Soft kisses and downy cheeks

Magnets for love

Our flame made for shining

And again made for warmth

To be shared and given

World tries to snuff it out

Those that love us

Try to fan the flame

And set our dreams alight

Investing in us hope and direction

But the world’s a thief

And it steals our joy

Pulls oxygen from our lungs

For it fears a dreamer

But, we the brave

We sing louder in the darkness

We fight harder on our knees

And put our faith in the Truth

For the Truth lit this fire

And fanned it into life

Kindled that sparkle

In our parent’s eyes

The Truth knit us together

Brought us into light of day

And if we give our hearts to it

It carries us safely on our way

So when our flames are fading

When age and trials tire our hearts

The flame of Truth will call our names

From His book of life this He’ll read

And our little flames

Flickering and fading will pass

From this life to the next

Joining the joyous heavenly blaze

We’ll fight no more to shine

Now dwelling with the author of life

And with all those gone before

We’ll light the way for those who follow behind