Psalms – Running After Papa

Waves (James 1)

James 1:6 NIV “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

A few weeks ago, in the midst of some very big “asks” with the Lord, this verse stayed top of mind for a few weeks. The New King James translates it as “… let him ask in faith, with no doubting…” and the root word for what the NIV calls “believe” and what the NKJV calls “faith” is pistis. I’ve written about this word a few times, the most recent being Faith & Doubt (Mark 11) and Faith: What is it? so I won’t expound on it here.

I’ve really begun to look deeper into the example James uses. What are the characteristics of waves and how do they apply here and to my life? How do they describe the state of my being when I doubt? Carrying the example out, how does believing make me less like a wave?

Waves Are Random

When I say “a wave”, what do you see when you close your eyes? Most of us see some sort of wave on a body of water. That’s about as much similarity as we can state. Wikipedia has a fairly extensive discussion on the many types of waves and forms of waves across all types of mediums (water, sound, light, etc…) You can read it here. Let’s keep the discussion of waves in context of waves on a body of water. Even with that, there are no clear definitions of what a wave looks like. They have a pseudo-form, but can vary greatly from a slight series of rings that ripple out from a small pebble tossed in a very still pond, to a 20-foot (or greater), life-threatening whitecaps out on the ocean. Both are waves. While I assume there is a technically a definite beginning and end of a wave, it is clearly not easy to accurately identify for the casual observer. The one constant is that they freely move up and down, back and forth, in and out, and constantly change shapes – often times spilling out or falling over (as in a whitecap).

When I doubt, I am like a wave. I am not clearly defined and morph and change with the pressures and obstacles of life. But when I believe – when I ask in faith – I am fortified to stand firm – with definition of who I am in Christ and more importantly, who Christ is in me.

1 Corinthians 16:13 NLT “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.”

2 Corinthians 1:21 NLT “It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ.”

When I believe – when I ask in faith – I am positioned and permanent to display Christ in me.

Waves Are Reactive

Waves exist because of a reaction to something else – some outside force – be that an object, the wind, a current, a shift in it’s foundation (i.e. an earthquake). The height, shape, speed, spread, and intensity of the wave is determined by the force acted upon it. Waves are a reaction to the world around it.

When I ask in faith – when I believe and not doubt – I am confident in God’s plan and not reactive to the world around me because I know who He is and that His heart is for me.

Jeremiah 2:11-12 NKJV “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”

When I believe – when I ask in faith – I am purposed and peaceful and not moved by the world around me.

Waves are Running

Waves are always moving from point to point – constantly moving and being moved by the forces around them.

When I doubt – I too am constantly seeking and constantly moving – looking for an answer, looking for relief, looking for some way out or away from whatever I’m reacting to. This is not God’ s plan. I’m to ask in faith. I’m to learn to be confident and trust in His will for me.

Psalms 37:5-9

5 Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.
6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
7 Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
8 Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm.
9 For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land.

When I believe – when I ask in faith – I am planted in God’s peace and power and can rest in who He is

Ask in faith. Do not doubt.

Running After Papa…

Day 13 – “meditate on these things”

Phil 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

“meditate”….

I was just going over this verse again and thought I’d look into the action of this verse. This is the command (so to speak) that Paul gives about all the things true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy.

Admittedly, my first thought on the word “mediate” brings out visions of sitting cross-legged, back straight, chest out, eyes closed, with my arms outstretched and my hands palms up, making “o’s” with my fingers (yes… with my pinky out!) while chanting ‘Ohmmmmmmm‘…. I’m not sure that’s exactly what Paul meant when he chose that word.

According to Strong’s, the word translated as “meditate” (logizomai) means: “1 to reckon, count, compute, calculate, count over. 2 to reckon inward, count up or weigh the reasons, to deliberate. 3 by reckoning up all the reasons, to gather or infer. Additional Information: This word deals with reality. If I “logizomai” or reckon that my bank book has $25 in it, it has $25 in it. Otherwise I am deceiving myself. This word refers to facts not suppositions (emphasis added).”

The “added information” is very interesting when you couple it with the origin of the word. Logizomai is a form of “logos” which specifically deals with uttered (spoken) word by a living voice.

In several of the previous posts breaking down this passage, God showed me – and this now confirms it – that what I am to meditate on is what God says about me – not my shortcomings and past failures – as it relates to all things true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. (NOTE: each word links to the previous post I did for that word)

What God says is 100% absolute truth and not supposition. God says that all my past failures are forgiven (1 John 1:9) and forever forgotten “… as far as the east is from the west (Ps 103:12)” and no longer “meditate-able.’

All my past failures and shortcomings are 100% supposition, conjecture and theory

This is good news O my soul… very good news indeed….

… Running After Papa

Day 12 – His present Presence…

All day, I have continued to ponder Day 4’s revelation.

I’ve been in St. Louis the last two days on business. We had a big custom demo to deliver today to a potentially large customer. The room had about 12-15 people in it of many nationalities and I expect it was likely a big salad bowl of beliefs. I didn’t ask, but I would guess there were Muslims, Buddhists, possibly a Hindu or two, and then I expect a big mix of “Protestant” faiths… probably had an atheist and an agnostic thrown in amongst the crowd.

As I began to dwell on the reality of the physical office building and conference room and that God’s presence fills up every inch of space there, I wondered why more people don’t see, know, and relate with God.

It was a similar experience on the flight home. I’ve flown enough over the years that I get to board early, and I sat in row 10 and watched almost everyone board that plane – it is one of my favorite things to do on a flight is to watch every person board… weird, I know… I guarantee there were all kinds of faiths and non-faiths alike on that flight… even more than I listed above. And yet, the TRUTH is this – God’s presence filled every cavity, overhead, cabin, seat-back, snack cart and square inch of that 757 including the luggage compartment and the air around the plane as we flew from St. Louis to Dallas. Think about it… that plane flew through the presence of God from takeoff to touchdown – and yet, how many people had no idea. Many of them don’t know, don’t acknowledge, or worse, don’t care that The God of the universe, The Creator of every living thing, is “in da house” and is right up in every one of our faces – all the time – every moment of every day – every day of our lifetime – close enough to feel the breath we breath and be tickled by our eyelashes when we blink… yet we sit there unaware… How are we so ignorant of the truth? How am I so ignorant of the truth of His presence?

I shudder to think of how many flights I’ve flown and been in one of those categories – didn’t know, didn’t acknowledge, didn’t care… I cringe at how many days I’ve been on this planet and walked utterly oblivious to Him – either intentionally or in ignorance. Thank you Lord for your mercy, your unfailing love, and your consistent, gentle presence always in my present – even when I wasn’t aware.

This contemplation has progressed to wonder why many I – and likely many in the Church – associate the presence of God with some sort of one-at-a-time experiences or “special and infrequent event”. How many times have I said, “The presence of God was really powerful today”, or “God really showed up today in worship”…. really?

Today my question is: When did God’s presence leave? I didn’t hear an announcement… “Attention, God has left the building…. repeat, God has left the building.” (Yes, that was an Elvis throwback for those old enough to remember…)

David wrote it best…

Psalms 139 5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!
7 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave,* you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—
12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

Paul said it similarly in Romans

Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV) 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I’ve been guilty of this. I am currently more often than not guilty of this. I think my theology might be askew to assume that God’s presence “comes and goes”. I believe it was true in the Old Testament as there are numerous examples of God’s presence coming and going. But the Scripture is fairly clear that after Jesus’ resurrection and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit – that He was here to stay. I’ve not found where the Holy Spirit bugged out.

I’m sure I think this way because of the Church culture and mindset in which I grew up and live in.

Take, for example, the lyrics of a LONG TIME FAVORITE worship song… One I have lead many times.

I`m here to meet with you
Come and meet with me
I`m here to find you,
reveal yourself to me

As I wait, you make me strong
As I long, draw me to your arms
As I stand and sing your praise
You come, you come and you fill this place
Won`t you come, Won`t you come and fill this place

"MEET WITH ME" BY TEN SHEKEL SHIRT

Did you catch the lyrics… “won’t you come, won’t you come and fill this place?”

Didn’t we already establish that God’s presence is everywhere, all the time, every day of our lives?

To where is He going to come… or go for that matter? Is He or is He not Omnipresent?

Yes, I’ve had a major shift in my perspective and understanding and ultimately my Theology. Instead of viewing God presence as “come and go,” as my current theology-view is, I think it to be more accurate to say ” I CHOOSE to recognize and live in His ever-present presence” or “I CHOOSE to ignore His ever-present presence”.

Psalms 46:1 (NIV) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Regardless of what I CHOOSE – the TRUTH is that His Presence is still present and is always everywhere…

I’m choosing to live in His present presence…. Lord, open the eyes of my heart to always recognize and see your Presence in my present.

… Running After Papa

Day 4b – Always in God’s Presence…

This is why I love running! God has my complete attention.

During my run tonight, I was talking to Papa and just praying for His presence and more of Him when he reminded me of the passage in Romans 8:38-39 (yes, I had to look up the reference when I got home!)

Rom 8:38-39 (ESV) 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Here are His words to me: “I am everywhere, all the time. I am omni-present, all the time. There is no mountain too high, no ocean too deep, no desert too wide, no star too far that I am not there. You cannot escape My Presence. You don’t need my Presence to come to you, you need the eyes of your heart opened to recognized that YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY PRESENCE!”

WOW! I was immediately reminded of Ephesians 1 (yes, I knew this reference because I attempted to memorize this chapter once) when Paul prayed for the “... eyes of their hearts to be opened…” to know the hope of His calling.

That may be old news to some of you, but my soul awakened with those life-giving words from my Abba!

Run on, soul…. run on!

…Running After Papa

** Post Script **

It’s 11:15 and has been a couple of hours since my run and epiphany. As I finished a book I’m reading, (The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning) the end of the book has 19 devotionals (which I’ll be doing of the next few weeks).

The first devotional’s reading is all of Psalms 139. I’ve included a few verses that literally made me giggle and God’s craftiness and timing – given the events and revelation during my run tonight (a few hours previous)…

Psalm 139:7-12 (NLT) 7 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. 9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, 10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. 11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— 12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

God cracks me up. His timing is impeccable. I guess this was my great revelation today… I can never escape the presence of God. He is everywhere, regardless of whether or not I realize, acknowledge, or feel his presence – He is here!
*** Post Post Script *** – June 18, 2011

While running today what God spoke a couple of days ago is absolutely changing my worldview, my faith-view, and quite possibly some portion of my theology… more to come in a separate post… Unbelievable!

Fear God… nothing else…

Exodus 20:18-21 (NKJV) 18 Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. 19 Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”
20 And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” 21 So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.

God’s really working on me in His holiness and what the fear of the Lord means, and in the process, I’ve gotten really ticked at how the enemy has taken everything that God has created – remember that God created everything for good – and twisted it into some sort of shackle to restrain, control, and manipulate mankind with.

There have been times during my children’s lives that they have expressed a fear of something, be it a roller coaster or a bully or a new situation, and I almost always respond with the same thing. “Fear God and nothing else.” I don’t mean that as a trite quip just to satisfy giving them some sort of response, I want that repetitive statement to sink deep into the core of who they are and resonate within their spirit. I want it to sink deep into the core of who I am and resonate within my spirit too! It’s just as much for me as it is for them. I struggle with fear for them as much as any parent who loves their children.

Here were the Israelites who feared that God would kill them right after they had seen all the miracles God performed to free them from their bondage and slavery. He chose them. He saved them. Yet, they feared He would kill them because they witnessed his amazing power, majesty and glory on the mountain. He gave clear instruction on what was going to happen and how to prepare and respond to it (see Exodus 19), yet they still walked in fear. They walked the wrong kind of fear of the Lord, the kind of fear that cripples and paralyzes us in our journey with and toward God. Holy Fear is a fear of respect and humility – knowing that God can AND has every right to zap me off the face of the earth. I deserve nothing that He affords me. That is Holy fear. Holy fear is NOT being afraid to enter into his presence or approach his throne if you are a believer (Eph 3:12, Heb 4:6, 1 John 5:14).

They were living a picture of Psalms 23. Verse 6 says “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Interesting word in that verse is the Hebrew word hesed which means “a love or affection that is steadfast based on a prior relationship.”

For Israel, it was based on the promise and relationship God made with Abraham, Issac and Jacob. For you and me it’s based on the prior relationship God the Father has with God the Son (Jesus). His redemptive power through my submission to His lordship is the basis of God’s hesed in my life.

Fear God… nothing else.

Running After Papa…

Blisters (Eph 6:15)

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (italics added) Ephesians 6:14-15, NKJV

I run. I have for several years now. I don’t really run because I like running, although I do enjoy the benefits and the feeling after a good long run. I started running in order to get some discipline in my life, so I decided to train for a marathon. Fast forward a few years. I got really lazy in my training and only did the long runs one year and…. as you might guess… injured my heel which has plagued me with planar fasciitis for over a year. Fast forward again. About a year ago, I started changing my running style to take all the impact out of my running by going to more of a “barefoot style” running – simply put, I land on the ball of my foot and then let my heel touch before springing off my foot for the next step. This style takes a while to build up stamina and strength in your calves as they do A LOT more work.

Last year, I purchased a pair of shoes called Vibram Five Fingers which are basically gloves for your feet with “fingers” for your toes and all. They have zero support and are basically a sole for your foot so you can run barefoot style without gettting cut up or bruised from rocks and stuff in the road.

I say all that to say this. Yesterday, I ran too far in my shoes and I got serious blisters on both feet. I had been running about 2-2.25 miles in the Vibrams and then I would change into my running shoes and run 2 or 3 more miles. That is my normal M.O. That is what I do and how I build up endurance.

Yesterday, I tried to run 4 miles in my Vibrams. This is NOT me. At 3.3 miles, my feet were so hot (where the blisters are now brilliantly showing themselves) that I took my shoes off and walked the rest of the way home barefoot… in the grass… gingerly.

On the way home, Papa brought to mind Eph 6:15. The NIV version says “…with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.“ When I asked how this all fit together, He showed me:

Don’t give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath. It’s better to suffer for doing good, if that’s what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. (I Peter 3:14-17, The Message)

and

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. (Psalms 139:14, NKJV)

What God showed me in that I don’t have to be anyone else. While I can look to others who are farther along this life of transformation; those I consider spiritual giants; those heroes of the faith; I am NOT to strive to be like them. God made me to be me. According to the Ephesians passage, I am to know and understand and live in Truth and Righteousness. This brings all glory to God. But I don’t have to wear anyone else’s shoes. When I do, I get blisters, they rub my feet wrong. They slow down my pace. I just have to be me (crucified) in Him. If I try to be someone else, I am not living the 1 Peter passage. I won’t “Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why I’m living the way…” I am. I praise him for make me just like I am. I am free to be me in Him. That’s how I’ll be most effective for His purposes and to give him all the glory and praise that He is due.

Running After Papa…

Withered Leaves (Psalm 1)

Psalm 1 (ESV)
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

“Its leaf does not wither” has become a very interesting phrase to me this weekend.

The Lord has shown me some things about fallen leaves, but I want to know what those leaves represent:
1. When they are withered
2. When they are not withered

God’s speaking a message in to me on this topic, so I value the input of my sharpeners…

Debating with God

Gen 18:22-33 (NKJV)

22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. 23 And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? 25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
26 So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”
27 Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: 28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?”
So He said, “If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.”
29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose there should be forty found there?”
So He said, “I will not do it for the sake of forty.”
30 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?”
So He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
31 And he said, “Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?”
So He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.”
32 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?”
And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” 33 So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.

What is the purpose of this debate? Why did God include this deliberation between Abraham and Himself? Do I really believe Abraham changed God’s mind? No, I don’t. I believe God already knew there were no righteous men in Sodom, even before the “others” went there. That would imply that God went down this rabbit trail with Abraham for Abraham’s benefit. Why?

A. God’s Character

It’s possible God wanted to reveal a part of His own character to Abraham. Abraham knew his nephew was in the city, and either knew or hoped that he could count Lot as one righteous man. Perhaps with as many herdsmen and servants Lot had, that there would be a few more he could add. God may have wanted Abraham to know that His love for mankind superceded His wrath against the cities.

verse 19 tells that God knows Abraham is going to be telling the coming generations about Himself and therefore he wants to clear up any questions about both sides of his justice and his mercy.

B. Abraham’s understanding

It’s entirely possible that God wanted Abraham to know that he could approach God and speak to Him, plead his case to Him, argue with Him, and disagree with Him as long as it was done in earnest humility. v23 says “… Abraham came near and said…”

James 4:8 “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”

Ps 73:28 “But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God. That I may declare all Your works.”

Abraham was living out these passages as he walked and talked with the Lord en route to Sodom. Again, v19 discusses how Abraham would “… declare all of [His] works…” to his children and their children and impact generations.

C. My and your benefit

So why is it recorded? For you and me. Everything God wanted to teach and show Abraham, God wants to teach and show me and you. God wants me to know that His love for me and for mankind supercedes his need for vengance and wrath. God wants me to know that He is accessible and open and approachable. God wants me to know I can speak with him about anything at all.

Filters

Today the Lord took me to Psalm 73.

73 A psalm of Asaph.

¹ Truly God is good to Israel,

to those whose hearts are pure.

² But as for me, I almost lost my footing.

My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.

³ For I envied the proud

when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

⁴ They seem to live such painless lives;

their bodies are so healthy and strong.

⁵ They don’t have troubles like other people;

they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.

²¹ Then I realized that my heart was bitter,

and I was all torn up inside.

²² I was so foolish and ignorant—

I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.

²³ Yet I still belong to you;

you hold my right hand.

²⁴ You guide me with your counsel,

leading me to a glorious destiny.

²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you?

I desire you more than anything on earth.

²⁶ My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,

but God remains the strength of my heart;

he is mine forever.

²⁷ Those who desert him will perish,

for you destroy those who abandon you.

²⁸ But as for me, how good it is to be near God!

I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,

and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

Again, it’s not about me. Dwelling on – envying – the success and apparant ease of life of the wicked and rich is making it about me and what I don’t have. It’s all about Him. It’s all about eternity.

My mind tries to define eternity as the time I have on this earth, because it seems like it will be SO long, but I have no context in which to understand the concept of eternity. I hear it’s a really, really, long time!

Father, remove these filters of humanity through which I filter everything around me. Open my eyes and my mind to see the eternal, the eternity in every man and woman. Through these stupid filters, everything relates to or revolves around me. When seeing with your eyes, it’s all about you. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Stop Praying?

Psalm 27:4 (NIV)
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

Francis Chan wrote in his book “Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God” the following:

What if I said, “Stop praying”? What if I told you to stop talking at God for a while, but instead to take a long, hard look at Him before you speak another word? Solomon warned us not to rush into God’s presence with words. That’s what fools do. And often, that’s what we do.

We are a culture that relies on technology over community, a society in which spoken and written words are cheap, easy to come by, and excessive. Our culture says anything goes; fear of God is almost unheard of. We are slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry.

I am arrested at this thought tonight. I am guilty of this very thing… just running right into his presence and throwing up my prayers and running out, like a 3 year old comes in and makes his bold announcement to his parents in the midst of their dinner party and then makes his exit just as promptly.

I just need to spend some time gazing on His beauty.