Jonathan Manafo

I have fond memories of walking with friends and family. I enjoy running, which I do mostly by myself (cause I’m too slow to run with the big boys/girls), and I really love walking. Walking by myself is cool when I need some time alone. But my best walks have been with people I love. My wife and I built the first part of our now 11 year relationship on walking. We came back past cerfew (at the school we were attending) after our first long walk and the excuse we wrote on the explanation note was, “walking, talking & drinking coffee”. We still love it, although now our 2 kids get in most of the talking and we do more listening (and breaking up the fights between them). I have a great memory of a walk that I took with my dad and twin brother. Dave and I must have been 15 or 16 and my dad asked if we wanted to go on a walk. My dad was quite the busy man, a workaholic you might say, so when he asked we took him up on the offer. During that walk we talked about lots of stuff - he gave shared advice and wisdom and we tried to add in our 2 cents. We even got caught in the rain. It was pretty hilarious seeing my dad run back to the house in the rain with his dress shoes (he didn’t own runners) and office clothes. Good Times!

Walking to me represents relationship. Why? because when we walk with friends or family we block off time to be with them. Time that isn’t interupted by TV or Study or Email or…anything. Time that’s focussed on walking & talking and sharing life together. It’s pretty cool that many places in scripture, our relationship with God has been compared to or illustrated as walking with HIM.(Genesis 5 & 6; Deuteronomy 10:12; Micah 6:8; etc.) This summer we (that would be the church I serve - CLC) are doing a series called, “Walking with the Son”. It’s based out of John’s letters (1, 2 & 3). Over the next few weeks I’ll try and keep you posted on what comes out of this text. Stay Tuned and in the words of Bono, “WALK ON”.

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My 4 year old son is playing soccer this summer. It’s his second year…last year he was a little too young. An interesting thing happened a week before the season began, our team didn’t have a coach and while we waited for someone to step up, no one really did. What’s happened is that all the Parents are way more involved. One mom makes the calls and schedules snacks, I help with the on field stuff (not because I am able but because I’m willing) and other parents are taking on more ownership as well. As much as it would be a little easier with a coach to run things, it’s amazing how we all have come together to help out. The parents wouldn’t be connecting as much and I think the kids seem to be connecting more as well. I’m loving the coaching part - There’s no skill involved, but I am losing weight and my voice every Monday night.

Now think about how we arrive at church wanting everything done for us. It’s easy to get very dependant on Pastors and established leaders. I’m obviously in agreement with Paid Staff and skilled/gifted leaders, but every so often we should remind ourselves that we all have a part to play - teaching, leading, cleaning, organizing, building, etc. If you’re a pastor reading this, take sometime to remind yourself that it’s not all about you. If you’re a parishioner (lay person) and you don’t do much around your local church, think about how you can get involved and be a bigger part of your community.

Now let me go rest my legs, I just ran after 4 year olds for the last hour.

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The U.S. Open is officially here. One of the biggest golf events of the year has finally arrived. OK, now you know that I’m a golf fan. Actually, I’m addicted. I don’t get to play as much as I’d like to but (not enough money & not enough time), but it has got to be the best way to rest and exercise at the same time. And there’s nothing like a great shot or perfect putt.

All this to say that my favourite golfer is back. Tiger Woods is playing this week after a 9 week lay off. He’s been away from the game due to the passing of his 74 year old father. He’s never taken this long of a break from tournament play. I’m thinking he’ll be coming back with a roar. Not only will he be rested, but he’ll have much incentive to win. He plays for major tournements (Masters, US Open, British Open & PGA Championship), but this week he’ll also be playing for his Dad. The US Open will conclude on Fathers Day and I’m hoping for Tiger’s sake that he can win. I too like to see others win (except Phil Mickleson) like Mike Wier and Vijah and Toms and Furyk…but Tiger has a chance to make history. He’s 9 Major wins away from passing Jack Nicolas’s record and more than half way to getting the most tour victories ever. So as much as others should get a chance to win, Tiger has and is changing this sport for everyone.

Few things to learn from him: Work ethic (both on his skill and his stamina) - Stays committed to change (church leaders can learn lots here) - Focus - Uses his wealth and platform to help others - The persuit of excellence.

Not sure about you, but I’ll be watching and reading and checking the scores from Thursday to Sunday. Go Tiger!

p.s. on another sports note…this world cup is shaping up to great. Go Italy Go!
p.s.s. www.tigerwoods.com

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As you can tell I’ve been in this book a lot lately. I still have a love/hate relationship with it, but the appreciation level has gone way up. As I’ve been looking at 29:10-14 I’ve noticed a ton more than I ever saw before.

10 This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. [a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” (this is the NIV, but the NRSV is a little better)

I’ve probably used these verse so many times, but never really appreciated the full backdrop to them. Judah is confused as to how long they’ll be stuck in Babylon and God puts the issue to rest with these words. It’s pretty amazing how clear and encouraging they are. (also cool how he challenges the people earlier in the chapter to seek the welfare of Babylon…it’s welfare will be their’s) I’ll get to my point. I so want to find God in every circumtance, in every situation. My desire is valid and my need is huge, but it seems like I don’t do enough of the calling, praying, seeking and searching. Are these prerequisites to finding God? Most times I’d say yes. I realize that for many we don’t even know who we’re calling to or searching for…but I believe that in those moments is where God lets us find him. That’s right…lets us find him.

I want God with me. I want to be ‘found by him’. I should probably stop writing and starting praying.

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