Celebrating New Life!

On Friday night, August 24th at 9:59 pm, my daughter and son-in-law celebrated the birth of their first baby, Abigail!  Of course she makes me a grandpa!  My wife flew out on her reserved flight to Phoenix on Saturday afternoon and I drove out following dropping her off.   I had 9 hours on the road to think about what it means to have a new generation in the family.  I drove straight to the hospital and met her.  This is new life like I hadn't experienced since the birth of my own children.  She is the most beautiful and precious baby I've seen in a long time. Some thoughts...
There is part of me in that baby.  Somewhere buried in her DNA is one or two chromosomes that were put there by myself and Rhonda.  That's an awesome thing. At least I hope so.  :)  What that part is yet to be revealed and I can't wait to see what it might be.  To see  both Andrew and Sarah in her is amazing.  I see the feet of a runner and the hands of a pianist!   Neither one is me.
She will grow up in Christian family! I had a great sense of peace flood over me knowing she would be a child of God. She has come from two bloodlines that hold their allegiance to Jesus Christ!  What a privilege it will be to share stories of faith with her. Andrew's parents and entire family have dedicated their lives to be "Enochs" and "walk with God."  I am blessed to have a family that  also walks by faith.  This is a rare covering in her life and we look forward to introducing her to all her aunts, uncles and cousins in the months and years ahead.
We will make memories together. What will she remember about me?  I must begin to formulate in my own mind the stories that we will make together.  Will we camp, ride boogie boards,  learn to fish? Play "Heart and Soul" as a piano duet?  We will share a life story along with Randy and Elaine. It has re-calibrated my thinking about how I finish this race.  My health and well-being is important to sustain me through this next chapter of our lives as we watch her grow up to be the person God intends for her to be.
God has an amazing purpose for her life.  How exciting it will be to see her life unfold within a generation that will experience so much change!   Yet, like any child we are a steward to shape and mold what God has created.  He has purposed her for greatness! She will be an exception, not the norm!  (a peregoyism).  There is no one on the planet like her.  God has equipped her in some way to  do some amazing things for Him.  I just can't wait to see what that might be.
I already love this child despite only knowing her for two days.  It is an example of the unconditional love God has for each of us.  No matter how much she cries at night, or the number of dirty diapers,  she will get the undivided attention from her parents. They must be attentive to her every wimper.  So it is with our relationship with our God.  To know that God has established this kind of relationship with Abigail is amazing to me.  He fashioned her in her mother's womb, she is fearfully and wonderfully made.!  I love this!

Discipleship Business

I read a great blog post in Leadership Journal by Gordon MacDonald titled, "How to Spot a Transformed Christian."  I have been a big fan of MacDonald's writings since the 70's and his "Resilient Life"  had a great impact on the lives of those who read it with me.  MacDonald draws a comparison to the development of a Marine to that of a disciple of Jesus Christ.  The transformation is marked as a recruit goes through an intensive training process to produce the chiseled warrior ready to dedicate his life for God and country. They are easy to pick out in a crowd.  He asks the question - "What would a transformed Christian life look like?"  Here is Gordon's dozen:

1. Has an undiluted devotion to Jesus.
2. Pursues a Biblically informed view of the world.
3. Is intentional and disciplined in seeking God's direction.
4. Worships with a spirit of continuous repentance.
5. Builds healthy human relationships.
6. Knows how to engage the larger world.
7. Senses a personal "call"  and unique competnencies.
8. Is merciful and generous to those who are weaker.
9. Appreciates that suffering is part of faithfulness to Jesus.
10. Is eager and ready to express the content of their faith.
11. Overflows with thankfulness.
12. Has a passion for reconciliation.

His thoughts were shared with my teaching staff this morning.  We are in the "disciple making" business.  Disciples building and equipping followers of Jesus.  I would expect those who lead to be more dedicated to the principles than those they shape.  It  caused me to take a personal inventory of how I measure up to these "transformational principles."    I must admit that there are several of them that I feel good about, while others that need constant attention.
Gordon states: " There are Marines and you know them when you see them.  They bear evidence of a remarkable transformation.  And then there are Christ-followers, and among them you see the occasional mature, transformed follower of the Lord.  You know them because, as you draw closer, you see Christ in them."   Nice work Gordon!  Glad you are still part of the "transformation business!"  I am thankful that in my 55 plus years of life, I have been blessed by the faithful influence of many!      

Olympic Withdrawl

Less than 24 hours ago, the London Olympic games packed up and  sent  athletes heading home with dreams of "coulda" and "shoulda," while others get ready to cash in on their accomplishments.  The games always capture my attention on several points:
1. Relatively unknowns become household names after their Olympic exposure.
We now know the intimate stories of people like Missy Franklin, Ryan Lochte, Gabby Douglas, Oscar Pistorius, David Boudia and you can probably name a few more.  They are now national heroes and ready for their own cereal box.
2.  Epic performances from the champions we expect to show up.  Michael Phelps, the basketball teams, foreign soccer,  Chinese divers and gymnasts and those incredible Jamican sprinters.  You want to see them perform at a high level and they seldom disappoint.
3. Favorites you don't want to miss.  Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, three time gold medalists!  Not only did they dominate the sport for 12 years but they NEVER lost an Olympic match! Wowsers! In each game there was point when I felt they were capable of losing, only to rebound and gather the composure to close out strong.   Beach volleyball is two people who at one moment look forlorn after a spike in their face and have  their opponent screaming at the top of their lungs and the next having to stand up from a great dig and ready yourself for a game changing kill.  There is no time for moping or feeling sorry for a bad play.  You get up and forget it.  A wonderful expression of competition.
4. How about dumping professional sport events from the Olympics? I don't need to see an NBA or WNBA all-star team playing against NBA all-stars from another country.  I want to watch competitors from around the world compete in sports that we can only watch every four years!  How about rowing, gymnastics, track and field competition, platform diving.  These are athletes that dedicate so much of their lives in refining their skills for a chance to compete on this stage every four years. I will say that there is marked improvement on the national courts that created more competition than we've seen in the past. 
5.  Being a Homer for the host country.  Mo Farah, Andy Murray, and the British cycling teams became hometown legends and were spurred by their frenzied countrymen. 
So I go back to watching HGTV, FoodNetwork, DIY and the Travel Network.  Looking forward to watching a new Russia showcase their country for the Winter Olympics in 2014!