I love this song . . . "Undo" by Rush of Fools

My Little "Princess of Nothing"

I wanted to call her "Sadie," which means "princess, member of a royal family."

My wife wanted to call her "Dakota," which means nothing - as far as we know.

So, we compromised and named her "Sadie Dakota," which being interpreted is (according to one of my friends), "the Princess of Nothing."

She came into this world one year ago this July.

She came into our world about eight weeks later, just before Labor Day weekend, 2006.

She was a "gift" to me from a friend who wanted to show his gratitude for some help we had given him. Win was opposed to having another dog (we've already got two labs - a 12-year-old yellow lab named "Max", and a 10-year-old chocolate lab named "Lucy"). I was finally able to convince her that we needed a black lab puppy, too. As I saw her resistance weaken, she finally blurted out in resignation (and desperation?), "I'm just glad they don't come in any more colors!"

At first we thought we might "breed" Sadie and raise other black lab puppies (incredibly, that was Win's idea). I mean, we thought we had the perfect puppy. But when we tried to find out from her breeder what her exact birthdate was and who her "parents" were, because we wanted to make sure we had all the right "papers" - well, she never returned our calls. After several weeks passed, Win and I began to realize why the breeder was willing to give her to my friend so she could be given to me. It became painfully clear to us that our sweet little lab would probably never be a blue-ribbon champion show dog. The fact of the matter is that she has way too many, shall we say "imperfections", not the least of which is that she must have been the "runt" of the litter. She's just about a year old, and is still a petite little lady lab, no where near as big as her "siblings" (or, at least the one sibling that we know . . . she belongs to that same friend who gave me Sadie). I suspect that anyone looking for a show dog, guide dog, helping dog, and/or bird dog might not have chosen Sadie to be their dog. But, do you know what? I am so glad she is my dog. I love her just the way she is. And don't think for a moment that she is just a "Princess of Nothing." Oh, no, she is definitely a "Princess of Something." I mean, just visit my home and you may get the distinct impression that "Sadie Rules." She has her "master" wrapped around her little finger . . . er, paw.

Come to think of it, I guess that from the world's perspective I, Joe Lombardi, would hardly be considered a blue-ribbon, gold medal-winning kind of person - in any category. Talk about imperfections . . . I'm overstocked with them, all in a short, squat 5'6" body. Although I was not officially named "the least likely to succeed" in high school, I'm sure there were those who would have at least nominated me for the title. (As I recall, whenever we divided up for teams, I was usually the last person left. And even then I wasn't really "chosen" - I was just sort of given as a consolation prize to the other team).

But do you know what? My Heavenly Father loves me the way I am. In fact, there isn't anything I can do to make Him love me any more than He already does. (Not only that, there isn't anything I can do to make Him love me any less than He already does). To be sure, He loves me enough not to let me stay the way I am, but to transform me (slowly, sometimes almost imperceptibly) into the image of His Son. But beyond that, He actually chose me to be a servant of His Gospel. Isn't that incredible? Oh, make no mistake about it - I know He did not choose me because I deserve it. In fact, I can totally relate to these words of the Apostle Paul, "To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8). In response to a comment on a previous blog, I even suggested that Ephesians 3:8 should be my life verse.

Why did He give me this glorious privilege? I know that ultimately it is for His glory. Again, it was the Apostle Paul who said, "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”

As I said in my very first blog entry, for me, the main thing about my life is that it must bring glory to God. I am motivated to live that way not only because I believe it is the most reasonable response to His grace in my life, but also because it is the best tangible indication of both my gratitude to Him and my love for Him.

But there is one other thing that motivates me to live a life that gives Him pleasure. You see, the Bible makes it clear that those servants who faithfully persevere and endure will also "reign with Him" (2 Timothy 2:12). Just the thought of the possibility of being able to have a part in His reign during His millennial kingdom boggles my mind. I know that when I stand before His judgment seat to give account of my life and work, I want Him to find me faithful.

Just think: Out of His love for me and because of His incredibly amazing grace which He has already made abound to me, He might actually take this ribbon-less, medal-less, and trophy-less unknown preacher, and make him a "Prince of Something!" Imagine that. "Jesus rules" . . . and Joe Lombardi might even get to rule with Him, too!

I am STILL amazed by His grace.

Who's Who?

Some time ago I received a very interesting phone call from someone I had never met before. My caller basically wanted to ask of me a favor. Now, over the past two dozen years or so I have received several calls that have been similar, but never with the kind of appeal that this particular individual made. He told me his name and then went on to tell me about his church. As I recall, he said it had about 1500 members, and that they had just completed building a brand new $6 million facility, situated between two beautiful lakes and right next to a gorgeous 18-hole golf course.

When I inquired as to the reason for his call, he said, "Well, we have a problem at our church, and we've been told by somebody that you're the man to fix it." (Now my curiosity was really picqued).

"So, what's your problem?" I asked.

"We need a new Senior Pastor," he replied.

"What makes you think I'm the man to fix your problem?" I pressed, beginning to wonder with a slight twinge of excitement (I confess) if I was about to be "translated" to "paradise."

His reply, which was spoken tongue-in-cheek, caught me off-guard. "Well," he said, "we're located in Wisconsin (not too far from Green Bay) - and you just happen to have the right last name!" (That's a good reason to call a man as your pastor, don't you think)?

For those of you who may be recreationally-challenged, my caller was alluding to Vince Lombardi, of course, the legendary head coach from 1959-1967 of the Green Bay Packers, winners of the NFL championships in 1965, 1966 and 1967, as well as the first two Super Bowls. Although Lombardi stepped down as head coach of the Packers in 1967, and then succombed to intestinal cancer in 1970, his name and fame are still celebrated by "cheeseheads" throughout "America's Dairyland" state of Wisconsin.

My caller was kidding, of course - but it got me to thinking . . .

It seems to me that just about everyone in this world is looking for some sort of "fix-it man" for the world. For good reason, too - for humanity is broken. (Indeed, the Bible makes it clear that mankind has been that way ever since the "fall" in the Garden). In fact, next year, many of my fellow Americans will cast their presidential ballot for whichever man (or woman) they believe has the ability to fix everything. Others are looking to the sciences (including the so-called "soft" sciences) - from anthropology to biology and cosmology to psychology - to find this talented fix-it man. Still others may turn to religious figures for the ultimate solutions to mankind's problems, whether it be the Catholic Pope, a Jewish Rabbi, a Moslem Imam - or even one of America's notorious tele-evangelists.

That reminds me that the Bible talks about a time when there will be a man who will convince the world that "he's da man" who can fix everything! In fact, if this blog (and others like it) are still posted somewhere in cyberspace when this man (the son of perdition, the man of sin, the antichrist) ascends to world domination, I suspect he will do everything he can to track it down and then hit the delete button.

The truth of the matter is that in the "Who's Who" book of people who can truly fix this world, there is really only one entry: the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says that "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist" (Colossians 1:15-17). And again, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). You see, you just cannot substitute anyone else for Him - Who was, by the way, the one and only substitute for YOU! "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

Jesus really is the Answer. To be sure, if He doesn't return soon, I have some well-intentioned friends and colleagues who would wish that when the history of the Church (and the world) in this 21st century is written, there might be at least a whole chapter devoted solely to them. Honestly, I rather doubt that my name will even appear in a footnote. In fact, there are several "Lombardis" (maybe a dozen or so) listed in "Who's Who in America" - including Vince Lombardi - but I'm not one of them, either. But, then, it has never really been about me. Indeed, it is all about Him. "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17).

Obviously, we never did go to that church. In fact, things took a serious turn for the worse when I informed my Wisconsin caller that my wife, Win, is a diehard Chicago Bears fan. So much for my "translation" to "Paradise."

But, hey, now I get to live in the Pacific Northwest. I ask you, dear reader, is there any other place on this planet that is closer than Oregon to "heaven on earth?"

I'm STILL amazed by His grace!

Baby steps . . .

As a new bloggerI feel like a little baby learning how to walk. For example, someone (actually, it was my wife, Win) pointed out to me that when she clicked on the link to view "About Me," the profile that appeared included my astrological sign and zodiac year. You know, I never answered those questions . . . that info just appeared "automatically" on my blogspot when I gave my birthdate. I've decided it's just not worth allowing people to view the profile if the presence of those two categories troubles them. (It troubles me . . . I could care less about the Astrological Sign and my Zodiac year. The only thing that matters to me is that I know the One who is the Alpha and Omega - from "A-Z" in the Greek alphabet)! Besides most of you reading this blog right now (at least, initially), are people who know me fairly well. (But, in case you don't remember, my birthday is November 15, 1950)! :-)

Secondly, I've changed the "comment" setting so that ANYONE can leave a comment. You do not have to have a Google account.

Finally, I've added the link to CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship). They know how to present the Gospel to boys and girls clearly and effectively, and the Lord is using them mightily to reach children for Christ.

So, I'm learning . . .

My Journey with Jesus - the first steps . . .

I was seven years old when I believed in Jesus for everlasting life. I was attending a weekly after-school club for children sponsored by the ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship. It was called a "Good News Club." I can still picture that day in the fall of 1957 when I left my second grade classroom in West End School at the sound of the closing bell and walked the short distance to a large white house located at 517 Greenbrook Rd in my hometown. Our club met in the basement of Mrs. Lyons home. She was our teacher. She taught us about the Savior. Sure I was young. But I was old enough to understand that I was a "sinner" and that apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ I was lost forever. That dear, white-haired, grandmotherly-type lady told us the "good news" of John 3:16. She even suggested that we place our own name in the verse: "For God so loved JOE LOMBARDI that He gave His only begotten Son, that [if] JOE LOMBARDI believeth in Him, JOE LOMBARDI should not perish, but have everlasting life." I believed . . . and at that moment I knew that I was forgiven and one day would go to heaven. I was convinced that Jesus Christ alone could and in fact did guarantee my eternal destiny. I had become a child of God, and He had become my Heavenly Father. This year I celebrate my 50th birthday since I was "born again." When a person becomes the recipient and beneficiary of "good news," they usually want to share it with anyone else who is willing to listen. That is how I feel about the Gospel (the "good news") of the grace of God. I want to share it with the world. I guess that is one reason I began this blog on the worldwide web. By the way, if you want to know more about how to start your own journey with Jesus, I would like to suggest you visit this site created by a good friend of mine: http://www.believeinJesus.com.

A New Road

My first blog . . . and the man who is usually NEVER at a loss for words doesn't even know how to begin. I've kept a personal journal for 27 years - but no one else has read it (yet). Blogging is different because the blogger is allowing his life to become an "open book." So, how do I want this book to begin? I have a friend who attended our church in the desert in southern California (my third pastorate, from 1992-2000). Every Sunday he was there he would send me a note on our "Communication Card." He would remind me week after week, "Joe, keep the main thing the main thing." For me, the main thing about my life is that it must bring glory to God. So, whether I eat or drink, blog or surf, or whatever I do, I want my Lord to be glorified. That's it . . . the first thing I want you know. There will be more in days to come. But right now, I need to get my rest, because tomorrow morning I have to preach - and once again I will try to be diligent to keep the main thing the main thing!