MGSF, Season 3 Episode 2 - Real Work

(Matt Guthrie, Suburban Farmer)

This season is all about reclaiming the Garden. Over a month ago when I was doing the back breaking work of hoeing up my garden plot, I began to appreciate the whole concept of work. I'm not a desk jockey, but as a math teacher, I do very little physical work throughout the course of the day. It felt good to use all those neglected muscles, especially when I thought about having my own farm. My dream of perfect, romantic farm life where everything goes on without a hitch rolled continuously through my mind as I drove my mental tractor through the fields and collected the eggs of my yet-to-exist chickens.

I began to appreciate once again our original purpose when we were created. Contrary to popular belief, Adam was not put in the Garden to eat bon bons all day. He was put there to work. Adam's job was to tend to the Garden and all of Creation. That doesn't mean that if we are not doing hard physical labor that we are falling short of God's design. It doesn't matter what type of work it is, as long as we do it. One of the reasons we feel so fulfilled after a hard day's work is that we are fulfilling part of our purpose.

We were made in God's image, imago dei. He wanted us to continue his work. That includes his creative work in the Garden. We were called upon to multiply across the face of the earth. That creativity is not limited to procreation. Take a good look at the art, technology, and philosophy around you. They are all products of the ability to create placed in us by God.

The continuation of God's work includes telling everyone about him. Abraham was given a promise. Part of that promise was to be the forefather of the one who would provide salvation to all. Abraham was also told to be a blessing to all he encountered. As God formed his chosen people, their purpose was to show the world who God was. Before Jesus returned to his Father's side, he gave us the commission to go out and tell everyone about him, making them his disciples. This is the most important work we could do.

How's your garden going?

Happy Mother's Day

This Mother's Day I am reminded of how mothers so easily embody the self-sacrificing ideals of Christ.  In church this morning we sang several songs that highlighted the price the Son of God paid to willingly be our savior.  He gave up his throne in heaven.  He took on human flesh and its limitations, even death.  He gave himself to take on our sin when we were so undeserving.  All this was motivated by love.

My own mother sacrificed so much for the sake of us kids.  She worked hard.  She put herself last when we need clothes.  She shopped all day with us kids in tow and then came home to unload it all while at the same time preparing supper.  Even now that we are all grown, she still gives sacrificially to us.  And all because of love.  Thanks.  Happy Mothers Day.

Meet Nutty

I'd like to introduce you to my new friend, Nutty.  Nutty is my new Webkinz.  He's a squirrel with an old fashioned country bedroom.  I'm trying to pass on my love of baseball to him by building him a baseball themed playroom.  The floor looks like a playing field.  The walls are decorated like a stadium.  Slowly I'm buying furniture and appliances for the room that look like baseball equipment.

Nutty was another one of those special birthday gifts.  Each of my sons has a couple of Webkinz.  Joshua really enjoys the online world.  I don't think there is anything about it he does not know.  He talks about it all the time.  Joshua thought I would enjoy it as well, so he bought Nutty for me.  Once I opened the gift, he could not wait to help me get registered, help me furnish my room, and show me where all the cool stuff in Webkinz World is located.  You might say he moved with a certain evangelistic zeal.  

Joshua's fervor brought to mind how we should view our faith journeys.  Are our journeys so meaningful to us that we think everyone should have one?  Are we willing to help novices navigate through the often uncertain waters?  Are we willing to befriend them and interact with them in their world so they will be more comfortable?

Just a thought.  BTW, if you're ever in Webkinz World, send a note to gutmajohar.  I'll show you Nutty's playroom and then we can go to the arcade together.

Birthday Surprise!

I turned the big 4-0 a few weeks ago.  Life has been so hectic that I haven't had the opportunity to talk about the cool surprises I've received.  The biggest surprise came last Friday.  My wife planned an outing to see the Carolina Mudcats play.  I had no idea where we were going until we got there.  When we arrived at the ball park, we met up with two other families, again a surprise.  They even wished me a happy birthday on the giant screen.

I really love baseball, so this was a cool gift.  What made it really cool was the presence of these two families.  The husbands are two of my best friends, fellow pastors I have known for twenty years.  When I was pastoring, we would meet once a month to support and encourage each other.  Since leaving the pulpit, I've not had the opportunity to hang with these guys.  I was touched they would come because they each had to drive 2 to 2 1/2 hours to get to the ballpark.  One family even broke down on the way home that night.

I was really blessed this birthday to re-experience the value of relationships and community in my faith journey.  What about you?

Fathers - why is it that every Hollywood movie that involves the fulfillment of a dream also involves an unsupportive and atagonistic father?