Family Life

I read this quote and thought of Tripp. Terri and I played peek a boo with his shirt last night and he laughed so hard each and every time we played. He brings such joy to our lives. Never thought parenting would teach me so much about God. We are so blessed that God is giving us another child to teach us even more. The expectation makes me want to yell like Tripp "again, again" to God.

Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again”; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun; and every evening, “Do it again” to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.

G.K. Chesterton

Reminders

I read a daily devotional by Frederick Buechner. Today, I read this little bit and it just jumped of the page.

"To journey for the sake of saving our own lives is little by little to cease to live in any sense that really matters, even to ourselves, because it is only by journeying for the world's sake ----even when the world bores and sickens and scares you half to death ---- that little by little we start to come alive. It was not a conclusion that I came to in time. It was a conclusion from beyond time that came to me. God knows I have never been any good at following the road it pointed me to, but a least, by grace, I glimpsed the road and saw that it is the only one worth traveling."
Frederick Buechner, Listening to Your Life

Maybe, It stirred my spirit because I will be preaching on Feb. 22nd about serving the church. Or maybe I just love to be reminded why I travel down this road of faith. God came from beyond time to reveal Himself to me and I respond by giving all of me back to Him. Paul talks about this in the first chapter of his letter to the Ephesians. Often we need to be reminded more than instructed on Godly living. Let this serve as a reminder

Mid Afternoon Distraction

Just thought you might want some entertainment. Enjoy

Sleep

I am in need of some sleep. The past few nights I have been tired but just could not stop my mind long enough to doze off. One of the reasons I love this blog is because it stops my mind from focusing on other things and allows me to doze off into the greatness of God. I really believe so many people fill distant from God because they don't give themselves a routine that makes them stop. I know God always longs to meet with us but often He doesn't overwhelm our daily lives. I have heard it said pain and trials are a megaphone that God uses to speak to us. In the good times it seems like God whispers His love for us. I am so blessed right now, if I don't stop my mind I miss the splendor of communion with God.

If times are good, what is your routine to ensure time focused on God?

Just a little Off

I was eating today when I had this uncomfortable pain in a crown I received. I got it a few months ago, but when they put it on the crown didn't fit right and hit before my other teeth. It is interesting how something little can be so incredible annoying. A little bit off can cause huge problems. A little something wrong at home can lead to a loss of intimacy, a little thing at work leads to a loss of productivity, and little hitch with God leads to not experiencing fullness of life. With my tooth, I wanted the problem to go away without going to the dentist. That was not possible; it had to be grind down. We all want our problems to go away without any difficulty. It is just not likely. Uncomfortable conversations have to grind away the problem.

Your spouse has to know your heart has drifted because....

Your boss has to know you lost your drive because....

Your family needs to know why you don't spend time with them because...

God needs nothing but desires honesty about the hurt or failure that have caused the distance.

Last month I had one of these conversations that was extremely awkward and I fumbled through the whole thing. I know unspoken words were cancer to the relationship. Not sure much changed on their side but everything changed inside of my heart. A weight was lifted. All this is easy to say and hard to live. I fall short of what I desire so often. So God help us!

Windows of the Soul

I read this when I was struggling with some criticism. I needed to here it. My nature wanted to attack and bring out all that was wrong with the other person. I couldn't see my self righteousness.

The old proverb, "The eyes are the windows of the soul," contains a powerful truth. Our eyes reveal whether our souls are spacious or cramped, hospitable or critical, compassionate or judgmental. The way we see other people is usually the way we see ourselves. If we have made peace with our flawed humanity and embraced our ragamuffin identity, we are able to tolerate in others what was previously unacceptable in ourselves.

Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel

Come, Lord Jesus

Revelation 22:20

"Yes, I am coming soon."
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

I have been racking my brain over something lately. In this political season I have heard a few well meaning Christian say that they wish Jesus would come because their candidate didn't win. I am conflicted and it has been bothering me, not because of the statement, but the spirit in which it seems to be said. Often it comes off as fear of the unknown and like the world has gotten to be to much for them. It is cowardly. God doesn't stop working because this world is evil. I have fear often but I must remember I have the spirit of God living inside of me, as a Christ follower, and perfect love drives out fear. Also, God is patient not wishing that any should perish. Do we really understand what it means that Jesus is coming to judge? All those that don't know Him are eternally doomed. Doesn't that break your heart for those you love that don't know Him? We need commitment to the mission of God not tunnel vision on the obstacles.

I understand what Paul is talking about in Philippians 1 "I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me."

Jesus open blinded eyes! Give me wisdom and understanding. I don't want the easy way out, but anoint me to push forward your Love.

Focus

John Milton said "The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make a Heaven out of Hell, a Hell of Heaven." I have this problem focusing on what is wrong instead of seeking what is right. Destroying what has the potential to be amazing. Today I have fought that all day making it more hellish than it needed to be. Tripp, Terri, family, work, home, and health speak to the fact I have so much. Jesus needs to enlighten my eyes like Paul talk about in Ephesians. I will renew my focus, life is short I won't live in what is not but what currently is.

Worldview

A huge day in America's History today. I love America but we can't get so wrapped up in what is happening in our little world. I love when I get a clearer picture of what the world looks like. I ran across this post yesterday and it made me think about what is the way I see the world.

Six billion people on the planet. If we reduce that population to a one hundred people, proportionately,

57 of those people come from Asia

21 from Europe

14 from North and South America

8 from Africa

49 would be women

51 would be men

68 would still not be able to read and write

6 of those people would own and control 50% of the world’s wealth, all of those six people would be US citizens

1 of those people would have just been born

1 of those people is about to die

Only 1 of those people have been to college.

On planet earth…

One third of the world’s population is dying from a lack of bread.

One third is dying from lack of justice.

One third is dying from over-eating.

How do you see the world? I see it in need of hope. I love the way President Obama is calling people to action and giving people tools to make a change reveal some hope at www.usaservice.org. I know real, true, and lasting hope comes through a right relationship with our creator not service projects. Although, service does reveal our hearts desire to change the world with God love revealed through Jesus Christ. So get off the sidelines and make a change in the world!

MLK

I got Terri a book on Martin Luther King one time. One of those coffee table books, you know big and bulky that they have near the check out line at Barnes and Noble. She loves what his life stood for, probably more than most young white women. I of the things I instantly saw different about her was she didn't seem to have preconceived notions about people. No stereotypes, prejudices, or bad feelings but love seemed to spring from her eyes when speaking of people of different ethnicity. I loved that and still do because I believe I am a recovering racist. I never acted it out in violence or joined a white supremacist group. I did however join in jokes, promoted stereotypes, and felt somehow superior to other races and nationalities. It all changed when I met Jesus Christ; I felt the depths of how ruined I was as a person. I understood that all the hatred I had toward others was fear of my own inadequacy. Perfect love drove out that fear and I saw that all people are the same before God. Terri had the eyes that I hoped to see people with, free of all hatred, but jumping out was God love. She was my guidepost to take me where I wanted to go. God has taken me a long way and I give Him honor. Praise God for my wife that inspired me to change and my Savior that empower me to change.

Wedding

I am going this weekend to perform a wedding. My first one and I have this overwelming peace right now that everything will go well. I know that as the day approaches my stomach will turn in anticipation. Butterflies in my stomach is something I deal with every time I speak whether in front of 5 people or hundreds. I think it focuses my thoughts to have a physical reminder to continue to study or run over what I am talking about. That is why I love being a pastor every week I am on the line for something I know that if God doesn't show up I will look like a complete moron. After years of God showing up to speak through me it gives me so much confirmation that the Holy Spirit is real and active. I think it is sad how many Christians don't push themselves to the point of getting butterflies in their stomach to do something to make Jesus famous. Without pushing ourselves we limit our experience of knowing God. What have you done lately that you could not do unless God shows up?

Oh $%*#

That is likely what came out of that kid's mouth, when he was hit with the reality of having his head stuck. He had to be scared and embarrassed over making that mistake. I noticed on yahoo today about a man who had an Oh $%*# moment and tried to fake his death in a plane crash to get rid of the embarrassment, fear, and shame. His name was Marcus Schrenker and as an investment banker he got caught cheating people out of millions of dollars and was being forced to pay it all back in addition to jail time. Marcus also was getting a divorce as well as just have his stepfather die. He escaped the crash by parachute and went in hiding until yesterday. They found him in campground in Florida with his wrist cut and wanting to die. In a suicide letter he said "I embarrassed my family for the last time." Marcus took into his hands to fix all the mistakes the easiest way possible but in reality made things worse.

Reminds me that fixing our problems ourselves makes them worse. Mistakes are meant to be lived through and used to provide deeper understanding of how to live your life in the future. You can't change past mistakes and running doesn't make them go away. My mistakes given over to great God can be redeemed and used for the good of others. In Hebrews 13 I am reminded God promises to never leave me or forsake me. It is crazy that God never gives up on me but I often desire to say Oh $%*# I did it again stop believing in myself

Praise the God of the 2nd Chance!

rewriting your life

I was reading through 2 Samuel 22 today in the message and I came upon a prayer from King David after all the victories in battle throughout his life. One line in particular stuck out me it said

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes"

I often think of my life as a story that God is writing out in and through me. Sometimes I feel like my story is incredible mundane especially compared to David and other people of the bible. I desire to see God do crazy things to make himself famous through me. I know that security is something I cling to and want to control so many aspects of my life but that is the kind of story that nobody would want to read or a movie anyone would watch. God has taken me so far from the person I used to be before I open the book of my heart to his eyes but I hope I am not just a more moral, kinder, and nicer person to be around. Nothing wrong with those thing but they don't inspire and compel people. I hope to become a person of risk, courage, and faith that invites people on a adventure to join with me to make God more famous. Today my story is boring so I am praying for a place to begin to write a new part of my story. Mentoring, Volunteering, Joining something new to expand my influence might be the direction I go. I really don't know what that looks like so pray for me.

How is your story? Is it worth reading about or is it safe?

Understanding

I recently took my car to the shop because the check engine light was on and after travel from the Holiday's, it wasn't starting. It ended up being just an O2 sensor, which is not that big of a deal, and now the car is running great. When I went to picked the car up, the mechanic tried to explain to me what the O2 sensor does. It was confusing and I didn't get it at all. Maybe it was the speech impediment, speed of the word coming from his mouth, or that I don't know the first thing about cars. I shook my head and smiled like I followed every word. It is real easy to listen without any comprehension of what is really being said.

I am finding out how often I do the same thing with Terri when it comes to parenting. Often I can listen to her tell of the difficulty of the day and what energy it takes to follow a one and half year old around. She doesn't complain but just explains how frustrating the tantrums can be and what a chore it can be to get anything done around the house. I shake my head, give confirming noises, listen, and try to show concern. But, I don't really understand until times like today when Tripp is mine to watch all by myself. I understand right now and I value what my wife does by raising him. He is asleep, the house is quiet, and I am beat. I have to go Tripp and I have another big day tomorrow.

One Man and One Boy

Big weekend coming up this week! Terri is heading out for a bachelorette party for her sister, so it will just be Tripp and I. Hoping it will be a fun weekend for him. He loves playing with mom and Terri is so intentional when it comes to how to interact with him. She will be missed by us both. I have not decided what we will do but I am planning to use this time to do something different from the ordinary to start building memories with my son. I know he is young but it is never to early to start. Traditions and events have to start sometime. I desire to be a Dad that shows life lessons as we spend time together.

I can remember one the important lessons I learned from my Dad that is seared in my brain is that when you borrow something you give it back in better shape than you recieved it. He said that when he was working on a car and I was watching. He borrowed a tool and in the process of fixing the car damaged the tool. Dad left to buy a new one to replace the one he damaged. That event says alot about my dad and issues of integrity are caught not so much taught.

So I am seeking creativity, energy, and fun. I am gearing up now.

Hope

I just read an great article that I think you should all read. It speaks about how powerful it is to have someone believing in you and rooting that you succeed. I hope we can be as creative as this coach and have the forethought to think about those that are stereotyped and marginalized. I always have to remember that good intentions never help anyone. Brilliant ideas with no forward momentum are wasted opportunities. Only when we act on these God inspired ideas do people lives get changed.


http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3789373

Finished

I just finished this Sunday morning. I preached today about dealing with disappointment with God. We went through everyone's favorite book of the bible, Habakkuk. I used a quote by Mark Batterson in a book called "Wild Goose Chase" where he says "Don't let what is wrong with you keep you from worshiping what is right with God" to be the central theme. I believe it went well and I will try to post it to the blog once I get a copy of the message. It is such a relief once done because the anxiety level is high when speaking in front of people about what I think the most important truth in the world. Off to watch football and decompress.

Brand New Day

I was late getting into a the new Joshua Radin CD. I got it with all the itunes gift cards from Christmas. As I was listening to it one song stuck out to me because the theme made me stop and play it again. The song is "Brand New Day". Listen to it on youtube or myspace but here are some of the words.

Joshua Radin "Brand New Day"

Most kind of stories
Save the best part for last
Most stories have a hero who finds
You make your past your past
Ya you make your past your past

It’s a brand new day
The sun is shinning
It’s a brand new day
For the first time
In such a long long time
I know
I’ll be ok

This cycle never ends
Gotta fall in order to mend

It's not christian artist, as far as I know, but he hits the Christian gospel message head on. A Hero who finds us and makes the past the past. The last line reminds me of Jesus words about personal growth in John 12 "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." Reminds me everyone is looking to be redeemed from the past. They just need to be shown that Hero they are looking for.

Not a great start

Well I started the year with a great bit of parenting. I was cleaning the grill while Tripp smacked his face on the concert of the back porch. He ended up with a few good scratches on his face nothing serious. It was the first band aid of his life. And I only turned my head for like a second. Crazy what we miss when we look away. My hope for 2009 is for God's mercy, grace and protection for myself and those I love. Without help my focus goes to my selfish desires and I look away from everything I know makes life worth living.