Sorry I haven’t been around the blog lately. I actually think that my life may be returning to normal! ANd I am celebrating both failures and victories as a result.

I really liked the “I saw God Today” lyrics. Artists seem to feel at such a different level than the rest of us. Sometimes I think we are so far from where God intended us to be in our day to day thoughts. But, Paul seemed to struggle with that too so I guess we’re in good company!

Ed

It’s so good to have you back to share. I’m always enriched by your blog thoughts and insights here.

l used your Beth Moore quote in my post today without giving you credit. I hope that’s OK. I was trying to keep it succinct. But, what a great thought and challenge to be a life long learner. And, to be real, honest, and vulnerable as well.

Your perseverance in Gainseville is an example to us. Thanks for trusting in Him!

Dad

Thanks for your special story. Those bugs are so remarkable.

It’s also remarkable that as a mother of three you still have the curiosity and wonder you had as a 5 year old. What a great memory! You made me smile and my day rich.

As a parent, maybe the biggest affirmation of God is the experience of watching your kids grow in Him. As remarkable as that mantis was Ann, you’re far more so.

Love you much…your doing a great job!

Dad

Thanks for your comment!

I really enjoyed your list of how to fail in business… life… etc…

I also enjoy this post. We are actually working thru these at church right now… God Omnipresent, Omniscience, etc… I appreciate your honesty in your bit of a different take in omnipresence.
Beth Moore recently stated in a conference that her daughters are not as concerned with how much she knows vs. her desire to grow & keep it real. I very much agree as a child & parent.

Love,
J

That little bug…testified a creator today and I have the conviction that all over the globe, people see God in ways that He sees fit. I just think there is no lack of evidence that God is here-it’s whether we can absorb the information with a humble heart, right?

I’m not saying it’s as simple as seeing a bug on a twig…but God meets us where we’re at with what we need to see Him and know him. I think the verse “I stand at the door and Knock” means that God is very intentional in his calling of hearts to Him no matter where on the globe and whether a missionary has set up camp near by or not.

Thanks for jumping in. I always deeply appreciate your passion and insight.
You never lose me. In fact, your “open mind” ramblings are some of your best. Your thoughts about making the simple things as important as the big things is valuable. Yes, it does seem to begin and end with selfless love for our neighbor. If we miss that everything else is plastic and hallow.

Wise insight…thanks again.

I SAW GOD TODAY - thanks george strait for your blog contribution

I just walked down the street to the coffee shop
had to take a break
I’d been by her side for eighteen hours straight
I saw a flower growing in the middle of the sidewalk
pushing up through the concrete
like it was planted right there for me to see
the flashin’ lights, the honkin’ horns
all seemed to fade away
in the shadow of that hospital at 5:08
I saw God today

Chorus:
I’ve been to church
I’ve read the book
I know He’s here, but I don’t look
near as often as I should
Yeah, I know I should
His fingerprints are everywhere
I’d just slow down to stop and stare
opened my eyes and man I swear
I saw God today

I saw a couple walking by they were holding hands
Man, she had that glow
yeah I couldn’t help but notice she was starting to show
it stood there for a minute takin’ the sky
lost in that sunset
a splash of amber melted in the shades of red

Chorus

I got my face pressed up against the nursery glass
She’s sleeping like a rock
My name on her wrist wearing tiny pink socks
She’s got my nose, she’s got her mama’s eyes
My brand new baby girl
She’s a miracle
I saw God today

Okay - before some reading of this blog freaks out on me, no, I am not saying that ministry never happens at, in, or through a church or church staff member - - let’s just decide now to move beyond that.

Staff are leaving at an alarming and unhealthy rate for the local church. I hear guys stand up and say that the ‘local church’ is the last great hope for America - - - and I know some of the staff and ex-staff from some of those churches. I’m just saying……………we need to start having converastions, dialogues, two-way street kind of stuff.

I think this blog and the various generations, genders, and gurus that are reading and gettin’ their blog on are a good start……..

I sense that in myself…even as I watch the Olympics and see these men and women doing things that are almost super-human (and granted, it’s not even things that are going to last…the records will be broken), it makes me want to do something in my life that is significant to someone.

I guess there can be a bit of a problem though, when we don’t see the significance in the “normal” life as well. It seems like we sometimes are waiting for that significant event or calling to fall in our laps when God may be calling us to become significant where we are by stepping out into the uncomfortable places in our present surroundings. Even just the small things like speaking truth to someone who may only want to hear the soft words…being willing to be vulnerable and share where God is having to change us…being willing to associate with the unnoticed and seek relationships with those who seemingly would never elevate our social status in any way. (I’m speaking to myself on these things because they are the ways I feel God wants me to step out and so often it seems too difficult…and yet I think I’m ready for the “difficult and significant” tasks)

Am I even on the same wave length as your post here?!? Maybe i”m just off on a tangent and you’d rather like to see me just chase this little tangent over the hill like a bunny.

i’ll stop writing…it’s late and i’m not making a lot of sense.

Yea, I’m with you. I was editorializing a bit in response to your comment about your friends having to get out of the church to do real Kingdom work. I’ve heard many stories about staff getting hunkered down in admin stuff versus ministry stuff.

I was tracking the deeper point of your comment about God and church etc.

Thanks brother!

The streets and beaches of California were blessed to have footprints left by the ed bahler family, and fingerprints left on hearts touched with your love along the way!

Come again!

Thanks for jumping in here.

There was a day church and God were connected of course. It’s interesting to ponder just how the perception, or reality, of a division came about. We’ll explore it further here soon.

Regarding owning our issues…

Why do we fight so hard against owning our issues? It’s fear isn’t it…fear of rejection…fear of being alone if we are losers. What might the verse “perfect love casts out all fear” suggest? Maybe we lack the kind of perfect love for God that provides the deep rooted security necessary to own our failures without fear. Maybe we lack the perfect love for others that makes it OK if they reject us. OK because a love for others would make it about others…not about ourselves anyway, right? What do you think?

Regarding who defines us…

Is it hard to define ourselves because of the world? Or, is it hard because we are not believing in God’s love for us and have a clear identity in who’s we are? If we had a clear faith and resulting identity in who’s we were (and the hope that goes with such an identity) could the world opinion affect us at all?

It reminds me of the saying, “If we don’t know where we are going any road gets us there.” If we don’t know who’s we are any identity can easily stick to us. This seems to tie to my grandmothers thoughts in that our actions do in the end define us. But our actions are a result of what’s in our heart. Proverbs teaches, “Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life”. And I think of the verse, “Out of the abundance of the heart our mouths speak”. The root to our identity is the perceptions of our own heart not the perceptions of the world’s view of us. If the “world” has preeminence in our heart then it define us. If we are pilgrims here, a very different definition surfaces quite naturally it seems. We fool no one. Our eyes and actions are a window to our heart.

I hope I’m making some sense? I’d appreciate your thoughts.

Ed

Come on…tell us how do you really feel?

It’s tough for any organization that grows quickly to lose its focus and get caught up in administration. It takes great leadership to keep the focus on a few key priorities. That may be a part of the struggle you and others are frustrated about.

But I sense the real issue is far deeper. It may be about how we see God and believe He works in the heart of all of us. Your comments are provoking thoughts I’ll post about soon. Thanks Michael.