I think this week might turn into a wrestling theme. Several things are on my mind right now; battles, victories, challenges, obstacles, the power of God to do more than I can imagine and my willingness.
I'm a contemplative person by nature. I like to address ideas and problems by taking time to think about them, to study them, to know as much about the possibilities and contingencies as possible. Being contemplative, I enjoy time alone, quiet and away from others. Some people find this strange, some think it anti-social, others think it a waste of time and then some find it to be brilliant (OK, maybe I'm the only one who thinks that way). I enjoy my solitary time while I know others prefer to be busy.
When I recently experienced the darkest days of my life, my first reaction was to stop and think (alone) but I was often encouraged to "stay busy" and I have found myself taking that advice. I would go and do and keep myself engaged with something, anything, so I wouldn't stop and think about all that needed to be dealt with the way I normally deal with issues. And now, I think it has caused me to prolong some pain and healing I have needed and some changes that I need to make because I was staying busy while I believe I was really needing to be me, to think, to process and to heal the way I need to heal.
I don't relish pain, don't go looking for pain and will try to avoid pain but sometimes I need to experience the pain for what it will bring. If I needed a heart transplant to stay alive, I have no doubt I would do it. I wouldn't avoid the heart transplant because I knew there would be pain following it. I would accept the pain and deal with it knowing it was part of making me whole again. It's no different than the heart work I have needed through these dark days. I needed to go through the pain because the pain reminds me I'm still alive and it has a way of aiding in the healing.
Pain means something has happened that gives me the opportunity to heal and, hopefully, be better. How much better? Who knows? One pitcher has Tommy John surgery and comes back to pitch better than ever. Another pitcher has Tommy John surgery and never pitches again but he can use his arm without it hurting all the time. Different levels of positive results but positive results all the same.
I have come to realize that I need to take time to be contemplative, to be me, and to finish a process that I believe will make me stronger, more whole, more healthy. I have started a journey that I believe will leave me feeling me more unshackled than I've ever known, more free. It's another step. And what great journey has never begun without a single, small step?
Grace and peace to you.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
The Things You Learn On The Internet
Using Google Analytics, I learn alot about my blog and who some people are that come to read it. In the past month, I've had over 875 visitors and 22% of them were 1st time visitors. I learned that most people come to my site directly followed closely by those coming from Rick Ross' blog followed by people coming from Facebook. I had more new visitors from Rick's site than from Facebook and I had 1 person who had typed in "way out wise blog" in a search engine and found me along with some people who typed some random stuff and found me also. I know where most of my visitors are from and can track some of them back to their IP address. Freaky. I had 17 visits from someone using software to make their IP anonymous. I wonder why? Anyway, for those of you who keep coming back, thanks...I think. Maybe you enjoy torture. And to my good friend Rick, thanks for being such a good marketing vehicle for me. (That's how we look at it in the business world anyway.)
I'm so proud of my children. I have recently learned things about both of them that just make me happy to be their dad, to be a part of their life, to know them and to watch them grow. I hope I have a hand in helping them find their paths, I hope even more that they are learning to seek God and to listen to His desire for them and that they will follow His path. I think most parents hope their children will be better people than the parent has been, that they make better choices, that they help more people, that they will know their Lord more intimately. I know I want that for my children and I am so thankful I have the opportunity to watch them grow.
If I could ask one thing from you today it is to stop what you are doing and offer a prayer for the spiritual health of our children and that they will learn to see with the eyes of God so they may better understand the battle raging around them. It's a good prayer for all mankind but my kids and kids in general are on my heart today.
Grace and peace to you.
I'm so proud of my children. I have recently learned things about both of them that just make me happy to be their dad, to be a part of their life, to know them and to watch them grow. I hope I have a hand in helping them find their paths, I hope even more that they are learning to seek God and to listen to His desire for them and that they will follow His path. I think most parents hope their children will be better people than the parent has been, that they make better choices, that they help more people, that they will know their Lord more intimately. I know I want that for my children and I am so thankful I have the opportunity to watch them grow.
If I could ask one thing from you today it is to stop what you are doing and offer a prayer for the spiritual health of our children and that they will learn to see with the eyes of God so they may better understand the battle raging around them. It's a good prayer for all mankind but my kids and kids in general are on my heart today.
Grace and peace to you.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
When I Don't Have The Words To Say What's On My Mind...
I resort to random thoughts.
I need to read through James again.
I need to spend a lot of time in Romans.
I have some things I want to say about yesterday's post but the words aren't coming out in clear thoughts. That happens often in a crazy mind like mine.
I was at the Mavs game Tuesday night. There was a group in front of us that we have decided included some strip joint owners and their employees. The girl in front of us had a shirt on that said "Stay classy, Dallas." She was wearing low-rise jeans, a high-rise t-shirt and no underwear. You can see where this is going. We spent at least a quarter of the game with a tramp stamp and her bottom in clear view. Yes, by all means, stay classy Dallas.
Blake Griffin is a beast. He plays for the LA Clippers. His body is chiseled and he can jump to the moon. If he hadn't played for Zero University, I could cheer for him more.
I got this texted to me: "Always remember that Goliath was a 40 point favorite over David." We never know what God will do through us, do we? I need to learn to trust Him completely, every day.
James 4:10 popped on my screen today. I need to remember to live more humbly in submission to the Lord's will for my life. Too often, I go out to chart my own course and forget to remind myself to be open to His hand at work in my life for that day.
On the other hand, many days I walk out completely open to His desire and with a pretty blank slate of my own. While not perfected, I am getting better, day-by-day, at listening for Him.
I'm growing closer to God. That gives me peace. And joy.
Grace and peace to you.
I need to read through James again.
I need to spend a lot of time in Romans.
I have some things I want to say about yesterday's post but the words aren't coming out in clear thoughts. That happens often in a crazy mind like mine.
I was at the Mavs game Tuesday night. There was a group in front of us that we have decided included some strip joint owners and their employees. The girl in front of us had a shirt on that said "Stay classy, Dallas." She was wearing low-rise jeans, a high-rise t-shirt and no underwear. You can see where this is going. We spent at least a quarter of the game with a tramp stamp and her bottom in clear view. Yes, by all means, stay classy Dallas.
Blake Griffin is a beast. He plays for the LA Clippers. His body is chiseled and he can jump to the moon. If he hadn't played for Zero University, I could cheer for him more.
I got this texted to me: "Always remember that Goliath was a 40 point favorite over David." We never know what God will do through us, do we? I need to learn to trust Him completely, every day.
James 4:10 popped on my screen today. I need to remember to live more humbly in submission to the Lord's will for my life. Too often, I go out to chart my own course and forget to remind myself to be open to His hand at work in my life for that day.
On the other hand, many days I walk out completely open to His desire and with a pretty blank slate of my own. While not perfected, I am getting better, day-by-day, at listening for Him.
I'm growing closer to God. That gives me peace. And joy.
Grace and peace to you.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
46
By the time you are 46 years old, there has been plenty of time for bad ideas and hurtful emotions to take root within you. By the time you are 46 years old, there has been plenty of time to tell yourself a lot of things that are not right but seem plausible. By the time you are 46 years old, there has been plenty of time for a battle to ensnare your soul to be raging without pause.
It isn't easy undoing. It isn't easy unwinding what has been wound. Sometimes, it seems, demolition work is the easier alternative but not always the practical one. Sometimes, you just have to take time to unwind, to undo, what has taken many years to build. Sometimes the bricks have to come down one at a time before the rebuilding can begin. Sometimes you have to peel the onion one layer at a time.
That's the way I feel today. There are things that I have accepted and believed about myself for years that aren't true. I wish I could just demolish what isn't right and start from the ground up but demolishing means taking out everything, good or bad, and I don't think that's the right approach. So I'm unstacking the bricks one at a time, I'm peeling the onion layer by layer. It's slow and sometimes I think I've reached the core only to find that I'm really not there yet, there's still some mistakes and rough patches that need to be removed so the process starts again.
One day I'll reach the core and can start rebuilding with the truth. I'm ready for that day.
Grace and peace to you.
It isn't easy undoing. It isn't easy unwinding what has been wound. Sometimes, it seems, demolition work is the easier alternative but not always the practical one. Sometimes, you just have to take time to unwind, to undo, what has taken many years to build. Sometimes the bricks have to come down one at a time before the rebuilding can begin. Sometimes you have to peel the onion one layer at a time.
That's the way I feel today. There are things that I have accepted and believed about myself for years that aren't true. I wish I could just demolish what isn't right and start from the ground up but demolishing means taking out everything, good or bad, and I don't think that's the right approach. So I'm unstacking the bricks one at a time, I'm peeling the onion layer by layer. It's slow and sometimes I think I've reached the core only to find that I'm really not there yet, there's still some mistakes and rough patches that need to be removed so the process starts again.
One day I'll reach the core and can start rebuilding with the truth. I'm ready for that day.
Grace and peace to you.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
What I Hear
It's part odd, part funny sometimes to say something and people hear something different. I look back on a life of hearing what so many people have said and wonder now if I heard what they said or heard something else. Here's an example. I've been going to church all my life, going to Bible classes, listening to sermons and what I have heard most of my life was more about how I needed to avoid sin instead of how I need to love God and be obsessed with living for Him. I wonder if I just heard it all wrong. Regardless, I am finally coming to understand that an obsession with trying to live right kept me focused on my weakness but and obsession with being close to God, soaking up the fact that I am living in His presence, is keeping me focused on His power. It seems like such a small thing in words but in my life it is making a very big difference.
In the old days, when I sinned, I beat myself up and slowly began to convince myself I was just a sinner and would never be more. These days, when I sin, I realize I have only pulled myself away from the Father, I've only cheated myself out of being in His presence but it is not who I am, just something I did. Who I am is His son, His loved child who He still desires to be in His presence, soaking up His abundant love.
For years I lived focus on my need for His grace and mercy. While I do need that, God is love and that is what I want to be caught up in because I have found that by living in His love, He gives me all that flows from that (grace, mercy, compassion, etc.) and I am drawn closer to Him and live in the growing understanding that being made in His image means that I too can overflow in love.
My cup overflows when I live in His love.
Grace and peace to you.
In the old days, when I sinned, I beat myself up and slowly began to convince myself I was just a sinner and would never be more. These days, when I sin, I realize I have only pulled myself away from the Father, I've only cheated myself out of being in His presence but it is not who I am, just something I did. Who I am is His son, His loved child who He still desires to be in His presence, soaking up His abundant love.
For years I lived focus on my need for His grace and mercy. While I do need that, God is love and that is what I want to be caught up in because I have found that by living in His love, He gives me all that flows from that (grace, mercy, compassion, etc.) and I am drawn closer to Him and live in the growing understanding that being made in His image means that I too can overflow in love.
My cup overflows when I live in His love.
Grace and peace to you.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Uh Oh Spaghetti-O
You know you are in trouble when you are up with your mind spinning at an hour you expected to be long asleep while looking at the clock knowing you need to be up in less than 5 hours.
Maybe I'll be able to address all that is on my mind at some point but not now. For now, I have something that will probably bore some readers, repulse others and make some just click on over to the next place you want to go. Hey, I don't care 'cause it's my blog, right?! :)
I love music. OK, I love a lot of different types of music. I'm a loud and fast guy most of the time but I enjoy classical from time to time, blues more often, jazz on occasion, Robert Earl Keen/Lyle Lovett/Jimmy Buffett/Willie any time, Christian rock and pop most of the time these days, some country and yes, hip-hop. I grew up playing basketball with some folks who listened to R&B/soul/rap and it's long been a part of my music repertoire. Now, I've given the appreciation of it to my youngest child. Uh oh! Anyway, I've listened to several hip-hop artists popular today and like the music but don't care for the message...until my boy turned me on to Lecrae. So, I've shared some of my favorite Third Day songs, some good Skillet music and now...crank up the subwoofers...here's Lecrae, Flame and John Reilly singing Joyful Noise.
Grace and peace to you.
Maybe I'll be able to address all that is on my mind at some point but not now. For now, I have something that will probably bore some readers, repulse others and make some just click on over to the next place you want to go. Hey, I don't care 'cause it's my blog, right?! :)
I love music. OK, I love a lot of different types of music. I'm a loud and fast guy most of the time but I enjoy classical from time to time, blues more often, jazz on occasion, Robert Earl Keen/Lyle Lovett/Jimmy Buffett/Willie any time, Christian rock and pop most of the time these days, some country and yes, hip-hop. I grew up playing basketball with some folks who listened to R&B/soul/rap and it's long been a part of my music repertoire. Now, I've given the appreciation of it to my youngest child. Uh oh! Anyway, I've listened to several hip-hop artists popular today and like the music but don't care for the message...until my boy turned me on to Lecrae. So, I've shared some of my favorite Third Day songs, some good Skillet music and now...crank up the subwoofers...here's Lecrae, Flame and John Reilly singing Joyful Noise.
Grace and peace to you.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Neutral
I feel like I'm stuck in neutral. I have a desire to do things for the kingdom yet each day I feel like I am just going through the motions to get through the day. My prayer life is in neutral. My reading is in neutral. My journaling is in neutral. Oddly, while I feel completely in neutral, I have people from a Bible study I lead at work telling me how meaningful some of the things I mentioned meant to them or helped them in how they see things in their life. I'm thankful because all I ask is that God will speak through me and it makes me wonder if I feel like I'm in neutral simply because I'm not trying to be in control as has been my custom for many years. Maybe I am in neutral and allowing God to work but I wouldn't expect to feel like I'm in neutral if that's the case. I'm baffled.
I am looking forward to the coming weeks of our workplace Bible study. I will be leading a study through one of my favorite books, Crazy Love. I expect to lose my feeling of neutral while going back through Chan's book because it has moved me so deeply in the past. Or, maybe I'll feel the same as I ask God to again speak loudly and deliberately through me during that study.
Grace and peace to you.
I am looking forward to the coming weeks of our workplace Bible study. I will be leading a study through one of my favorite books, Crazy Love. I expect to lose my feeling of neutral while going back through Chan's book because it has moved me so deeply in the past. Or, maybe I'll feel the same as I ask God to again speak loudly and deliberately through me during that study.
Grace and peace to you.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Knocked For A Loop
Sinus infections. I've battled them annually for the past 4 or 5 years and last Thursday brought another humdinger that sidelined me through the weekend and still has me feeling out of sorts but recovering. It's good to have my eyes still inside my head instead of feeling like they were about to bulge out of their sockets.
Since I'm still on the road to recovery, I'll share a story found on a friend's blog and maybe get back in the swing of my own thoughts later this week.
Graham Street - Lombardi Story
Grace and peace to you.
Since I'm still on the road to recovery, I'll share a story found on a friend's blog and maybe get back in the swing of my own thoughts later this week.
Graham Street - Lombardi Story
Grace and peace to you.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Friday's Flogging
...because reading this for a week has to be a beating...
I like that Jason Garrett got the head coaching job for Dallas. I may watch them next year.
Can the Mavs survive without Dirk and Caron? Or either? It started off as a hopeful year but it's not looking good right now.
I've reinvested in the stock market. Apparently, I subscribe to the "buy high" system. For those of you not familiar with stock purchasing lingo, that is a bad thing. I'll share some of my picks with you once the stocks are worth more than I paid and I look like I know what I'm doing.
I just spilled coffee on my leg. No burns. No lawsuits.
Someone is encouraging me to use my blog as a platform. Dude, this is all about me. Some days I'm just dry and some weeks I'm drier. This has been one of those weeks. (For what it's worth, I don't think any of my regulars know this encourager.)
As you are reading this, I'm either loading my fishing gear, on the way to go fishing, fishing or back from fishing. I'm off to the closest river that has some trout in it and I'm going to forget everything as I work to make a perfect cast and hopefully land a fish or two. I do nothing that is more therapeutic, more healing than casting a fly rod because it's about the only time I block out everything to focus on one thing. I need more of that in my life but today, it will come through an almost weightless fly, a tight loop, a tiny ripple, and maybe, just maybe, a tug on my line from a hungry trout.
EDIT: All that stuff above sounds good doesn't it? Well, it's just too cold to get on the river today so I will be daydreaming about fishing.
Grace and peace to you.
I like that Jason Garrett got the head coaching job for Dallas. I may watch them next year.
Can the Mavs survive without Dirk and Caron? Or either? It started off as a hopeful year but it's not looking good right now.
I've reinvested in the stock market. Apparently, I subscribe to the "buy high" system. For those of you not familiar with stock purchasing lingo, that is a bad thing. I'll share some of my picks with you once the stocks are worth more than I paid and I look like I know what I'm doing.
I just spilled coffee on my leg. No burns. No lawsuits.
Someone is encouraging me to use my blog as a platform. Dude, this is all about me. Some days I'm just dry and some weeks I'm drier. This has been one of those weeks. (For what it's worth, I don't think any of my regulars know this encourager.)
As you are reading this, I'm either loading my fishing gear, on the way to go fishing, fishing or back from fishing. I'm off to the closest river that has some trout in it and I'm going to forget everything as I work to make a perfect cast and hopefully land a fish or two. I do nothing that is more therapeutic, more healing than casting a fly rod because it's about the only time I block out everything to focus on one thing. I need more of that in my life but today, it will come through an almost weightless fly, a tight loop, a tiny ripple, and maybe, just maybe, a tug on my line from a hungry trout.
EDIT: All that stuff above sounds good doesn't it? Well, it's just too cold to get on the river today so I will be daydreaming about fishing.
Grace and peace to you.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Thursday Thoughts
Auburn won the National Championship with a QB who is accused of being the best that money can buy and a defensive lineman known for taking cheap shots at other players during the game and I was still rooting for them. There may be need for some introspection. :)
Someone asked me yesterday what I thought about all the Muslim activity going on in the U.S. I'm clueless.
I suppose I should be more concerned but I have some odd beliefs and worrying about the Muslims isn't going to help anything. I think there is some pain and turmoil coming our way and I think our society has been too complacent for far too long to turn the tide. That's all I'll say for now because the rest of the story gets really bizarre.
If you think that is bizarre, you should spend a day in my head. The things that pass through there...
It would be great if love ruled the world.
I have started counting the number of times each day I or someone else makes a judgment on another party without knowing any facts (I suppose I could be accused of judging others who are making judgment calls on someone else but it is not my intention. Merely a learning tool for me about how bad I am about doing it). It's astonishing. I'm trying hard to quit labeling people and quit applying my (ignorant) conceptions of them and their actions and just love them for who they are. I hope it gets easier over time.
Let's end on a happy note. Pitchers and catchers report to Surprise in about a month! Go Rangers!
Grace and peace to you.
Someone asked me yesterday what I thought about all the Muslim activity going on in the U.S. I'm clueless.
I suppose I should be more concerned but I have some odd beliefs and worrying about the Muslims isn't going to help anything. I think there is some pain and turmoil coming our way and I think our society has been too complacent for far too long to turn the tide. That's all I'll say for now because the rest of the story gets really bizarre.
If you think that is bizarre, you should spend a day in my head. The things that pass through there...
It would be great if love ruled the world.
I have started counting the number of times each day I or someone else makes a judgment on another party without knowing any facts (I suppose I could be accused of judging others who are making judgment calls on someone else but it is not my intention. Merely a learning tool for me about how bad I am about doing it). It's astonishing. I'm trying hard to quit labeling people and quit applying my (ignorant) conceptions of them and their actions and just love them for who they are. I hope it gets easier over time.
Let's end on a happy note. Pitchers and catchers report to Surprise in about a month! Go Rangers!
Grace and peace to you.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Wednesday Warblings
Another day, another borrowed blog. I've posted some things from Michael Hyatt in the past (www.michaelhyatt.com). He's one of my favored bloggers and someone I continue to get good ideas and challenges from. This blog just cracked me up and I hope you enjoy it.
10 Things You Can't Say At Work
Grace and peace to you.
10 Things You Can't Say At Work
Grace and peace to you.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Tuesday Tidbits
I think I'll keep the goofy titles. Wednesday Warblings. Thursday Thoughts. Goofy.
I'm borrowing a blog post today. This is from Rick Ross and was something I saw on TV last week. I was really impressed when Ted rolls off Proverbs 3:5-6 in front of Robin and George on GMA and said it with what seems to be complete conviction and sincerity.
2nd Chances
Grace and peace to you.
I'm borrowing a blog post today. This is from Rick Ross and was something I saw on TV last week. I was really impressed when Ted rolls off Proverbs 3:5-6 in front of Robin and George on GMA and said it with what seems to be complete conviction and sincerity.
2nd Chances
Grace and peace to you.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Monday Mumblings
I think I'm going low-key this week..
A shout-out to my buddy Jason. Go Auburn!
A lady was arrested in Wise County for soliciting of murder. She was wanting a couple of people killed so she could collect insurance, I believe. When arrested, she was wearing a Mickey Mouse sweatshirt.
I wish I would have never opened a Facebook account.
Ignorance really can be bliss.
I think it's ridiculous that the college football championship is being played on January 10th. It means the NCAA is a) money hungry and b) liars. Yes, that's harsh but it seems evident they are doing it so more people can watch more bowl games so they can get more commercial revenue. The NCAA says one reason for no playoffs is that they don't want to keep kids out of school. The Oregon team has been out of school all of last week. I think Auburn was a day behind them. Same for the last few straggling bowls.
I love March Madness. LOVE it.
That is all my thoughts that are fit to print. Stay warm.
Grace and peace to you.
A shout-out to my buddy Jason. Go Auburn!
A lady was arrested in Wise County for soliciting of murder. She was wanting a couple of people killed so she could collect insurance, I believe. When arrested, she was wearing a Mickey Mouse sweatshirt.
I wish I would have never opened a Facebook account.
Ignorance really can be bliss.
I think it's ridiculous that the college football championship is being played on January 10th. It means the NCAA is a) money hungry and b) liars. Yes, that's harsh but it seems evident they are doing it so more people can watch more bowl games so they can get more commercial revenue. The NCAA says one reason for no playoffs is that they don't want to keep kids out of school. The Oregon team has been out of school all of last week. I think Auburn was a day behind them. Same for the last few straggling bowls.
I love March Madness. LOVE it.
That is all my thoughts that are fit to print. Stay warm.
Grace and peace to you.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
I'm Getting Grumpy
My problem with exercising late is that I have trouble sleeping.
Add problems with Blogger and I'm getting grumpy. So, I'm trying this new app and writing a short post in case it doesn't work.
I learned some things about Adrian Beltre I'm not sure I needed to know today.
Michael Young continues to impress me. He is a selfless ballplayer.
How do you label people? How do you make and justify putting a label on someone you barely know? How would you explain to God your decision to talk negatively about someone you really don't know? How do you explain to God that you feel qualified to call someone when you have no clue what issues they are carrying and having trouble dealing with? What would you do after calling someone worthless only to find out that they are up late every night caring for an ill parent? These are questions I and others had to confront in a Bible study at work yesterday. I think I need to be very careful about what I say. How about you?
We are all God's children. It might be good to treat and speak of people that way.
Grace and peace to you.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Add problems with Blogger and I'm getting grumpy. So, I'm trying this new app and writing a short post in case it doesn't work.
I learned some things about Adrian Beltre I'm not sure I needed to know today.
Michael Young continues to impress me. He is a selfless ballplayer.
How do you label people? How do you make and justify putting a label on someone you barely know? How would you explain to God your decision to talk negatively about someone you really don't know? How do you explain to God that you feel qualified to call someone when you have no clue what issues they are carrying and having trouble dealing with? What would you do after calling someone worthless only to find out that they are up late every night caring for an ill parent? These are questions I and others had to confront in a Bible study at work yesterday. I think I need to be very careful about what I say. How about you?
We are all God's children. It might be good to treat and speak of people that way.
Grace and peace to you.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Obsession
I'm teaching class tonight as we continue working through Crazy Love. I think I was asked to teach the chapter on being obsessed with Jesus because it's one that I need to work on so much. I don't know that I'm obsessed with anything but when I think about what I might be obsessed by "Mercedes" pops into my head. I've always wanted one and now the Mercedes G500 is on my list of things I really, really want. I have no need for it. I don't have the money it takes to acquire one. I just want one.
Frances Chan, in the study video for Crazy Love, talks about how it makes sense to him that the early Christians were obsessed with Jesus. They had been around him and listened to him, then they saw him die followed by seeing the empty tomb and the resurrected Christ among them. They were living in the middle of it so the fact that they gathered together, sold their possessions and took care of each others needs doesn't seem far-fetched. He goes on (and this is the part I like) and says it would be much harder for him to believe they were obsessed with the Christ if they had said, "hey, let's have services once a week and sing some songs and listen to a sermon and then go our own way the rest of the week." Cracks me up...and it doesn't change his comment for me very much if you throw in Sunday night and Wednesday night.
I've been satisfied for far too long with making an appearance at the church building and going on my way saying I was a follower of Christ. I want to be more obsessed with the things Jesus was obsessed with. Sure, he spent time teaching but his time was much more about helping others with their spiritual AND physical needs. The church I've attended all my life touts our "pattern theology" and, maybe it's just me, but I don't feel I have been a part of the group that follows the pattern of the church in Acts 2:42. I'm more accustomed to thinking about what I have, not what I am giving away to someone who needs it. I'm more accustomed to worrying about tax rates and savings accounts and the size of my 401k than being willing to give all I have and trust God will provide all I need. I want to look more like that church in 2:42. I want people to identify me with that body.
I don't want to be misunderstood (though I can imagine it easy when dealing with my crazy mind) so I want to be clear that what I'm talking about is a heart that is willing to give everything to God. Does that mean that could include physical possessions? Yes, definitely. Does that mean I earn any standing with God because I did something? NO! I don't want anyone to think I'm saying I have to do some physical act to get in God's good graces. I lived that theology for far too long. I'm talking about a heart and mind that is obsessed for God and, I believe, if I have that the physical acts will follow from a desire to be a servant to others.
Chan talks in the video about how the 2:42 church shared all their stuff - their houses, their money, their cars. It makes me think. I don't care if anyone borrows my 2002 truck. It's got 150,000 miles on it, plenty of scratches and I'm not worried about it. But, park a Mercedes G500 in the driveway and I'm not sure I'm as willing to let you take it as the old truck. At that point, what am I really obsessed with?
I want to be obsessed with living the life God wants me to live. Maybe that includes a car that doesn't seem reasonable for me, more likely it doesn't. Either way, I want to give, to share, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give the thirsty something to drink...to be more like Christ.
Grace and peace to you.
Frances Chan, in the study video for Crazy Love, talks about how it makes sense to him that the early Christians were obsessed with Jesus. They had been around him and listened to him, then they saw him die followed by seeing the empty tomb and the resurrected Christ among them. They were living in the middle of it so the fact that they gathered together, sold their possessions and took care of each others needs doesn't seem far-fetched. He goes on (and this is the part I like) and says it would be much harder for him to believe they were obsessed with the Christ if they had said, "hey, let's have services once a week and sing some songs and listen to a sermon and then go our own way the rest of the week." Cracks me up...and it doesn't change his comment for me very much if you throw in Sunday night and Wednesday night.
I've been satisfied for far too long with making an appearance at the church building and going on my way saying I was a follower of Christ. I want to be more obsessed with the things Jesus was obsessed with. Sure, he spent time teaching but his time was much more about helping others with their spiritual AND physical needs. The church I've attended all my life touts our "pattern theology" and, maybe it's just me, but I don't feel I have been a part of the group that follows the pattern of the church in Acts 2:42. I'm more accustomed to thinking about what I have, not what I am giving away to someone who needs it. I'm more accustomed to worrying about tax rates and savings accounts and the size of my 401k than being willing to give all I have and trust God will provide all I need. I want to look more like that church in 2:42. I want people to identify me with that body.
I don't want to be misunderstood (though I can imagine it easy when dealing with my crazy mind) so I want to be clear that what I'm talking about is a heart that is willing to give everything to God. Does that mean that could include physical possessions? Yes, definitely. Does that mean I earn any standing with God because I did something? NO! I don't want anyone to think I'm saying I have to do some physical act to get in God's good graces. I lived that theology for far too long. I'm talking about a heart and mind that is obsessed for God and, I believe, if I have that the physical acts will follow from a desire to be a servant to others.
Chan talks in the video about how the 2:42 church shared all their stuff - their houses, their money, their cars. It makes me think. I don't care if anyone borrows my 2002 truck. It's got 150,000 miles on it, plenty of scratches and I'm not worried about it. But, park a Mercedes G500 in the driveway and I'm not sure I'm as willing to let you take it as the old truck. At that point, what am I really obsessed with?
I want to be obsessed with living the life God wants me to live. Maybe that includes a car that doesn't seem reasonable for me, more likely it doesn't. Either way, I want to give, to share, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give the thirsty something to drink...to be more like Christ.
Grace and peace to you.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Borrowed Material About An Easier Life
This is borrowed from Michael Hyatt's blog (http://michaelhyatt.com).
"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle." - Phillip Brooks, U.S. Episcopal Bishop (1835-1893)
I have long prayed that my life would fit into my neat, comfortable idea of what it should be. This is a good reminder that my prayer should fit into the image of what God wants to do with it. What can I be if I just let Him work in me?
Grace and peace to you.
"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle." - Phillip Brooks, U.S. Episcopal Bishop (1835-1893)
I have long prayed that my life would fit into my neat, comfortable idea of what it should be. This is a good reminder that my prayer should fit into the image of what God wants to do with it. What can I be if I just let Him work in me?
Grace and peace to you.
Monday, January 03, 2011
Merry New Year!
If you like "Trading Places" as much as I do, you'll know the reference to the title for my post today.
It's 2011, the second year the Rangers will make it to the World Series and the first time they win.
I've never been great at making predictions. I hope 2011 changes for me.
On December 1st, I wrote that my plan was to shut this blog down at the end of the month. Well, here it is January 3rd and another post is up. Go figure. I started the blog to chronicle a journey I have been traveling and when I started, no one knew all that was going on within me and around me. Today, more people know my story, know me and my failings, know the tragedy and heartache and have a better idea from where the words have sprung. I started this blog as my journal, only for me. I guess I realized other people might find it but I never have written for other people. It's not about what others should be doing to bring themselves into a closer walk with God, it's all from me and for me. When I re-read postings, they are words to myself and no one else...at least in my mind. Yet, since I wrote those words on December 1st, I have been shocked (there is no other word) by the responses I have received about my blog, about the words written for me that helped someone else, about the pain, about the joy, about the suffering, about the healing that has been a part of my journey that also resonates with others. To those who suggested I keep writing, you bless me. You remind me of what God wants me to be reminded of; relationships and community. You remind me that we are all more similar than different, that we all struggle and fall and that for those willing to admit the truth, we are there to help pick each other up, brush each other off and love each other without condition. God reminds me of things He wants me to know through you.
So, here I go. My blog posts won't change in that they will still be written to me, to my lows and to my highs, about the valleys I walk through and the mountain tops I am astounded by. It's by me and for me, as always, but I also hope that God will continue to use it for anyone else who might benefit from it.
Grace and peace to you.
It's 2011, the second year the Rangers will make it to the World Series and the first time they win.
I've never been great at making predictions. I hope 2011 changes for me.
On December 1st, I wrote that my plan was to shut this blog down at the end of the month. Well, here it is January 3rd and another post is up. Go figure. I started the blog to chronicle a journey I have been traveling and when I started, no one knew all that was going on within me and around me. Today, more people know my story, know me and my failings, know the tragedy and heartache and have a better idea from where the words have sprung. I started this blog as my journal, only for me. I guess I realized other people might find it but I never have written for other people. It's not about what others should be doing to bring themselves into a closer walk with God, it's all from me and for me. When I re-read postings, they are words to myself and no one else...at least in my mind. Yet, since I wrote those words on December 1st, I have been shocked (there is no other word) by the responses I have received about my blog, about the words written for me that helped someone else, about the pain, about the joy, about the suffering, about the healing that has been a part of my journey that also resonates with others. To those who suggested I keep writing, you bless me. You remind me of what God wants me to be reminded of; relationships and community. You remind me that we are all more similar than different, that we all struggle and fall and that for those willing to admit the truth, we are there to help pick each other up, brush each other off and love each other without condition. God reminds me of things He wants me to know through you.
So, here I go. My blog posts won't change in that they will still be written to me, to my lows and to my highs, about the valleys I walk through and the mountain tops I am astounded by. It's by me and for me, as always, but I also hope that God will continue to use it for anyone else who might benefit from it.
Grace and peace to you.
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