Our small group's discussion today focused on our belonging to God - I am my beloved's and he is mine. Some made comparisons to a dating relationship that leads to marriage. As a man, it is difficult to make that connection, as I have never viewed God as my "boyfriend" or "lover." I get that the context is different, and that isn't really the point I wanted to make.
I do long for the day that I am so in love with God that I want to do nothing but what he wants me to do, instead of seeking to do things I want to do. I want my worth to be found in Christ and for my life to be such a reflection of Christ that people have to recognize that my life is different.
I did relate to my friend, Krista, who was talking about getting married right after college graduation and moving to a new place where no one knew her apart from her husband, Dan. At first, she wanted to have her own identity, but she says that if she met someone now and they didn't meet Dan, she feels like they wouldn't really know her. She drew that parallel to her relationship with Christ, which I think it great.
I had a similar experience when I quit my job, packed up and moved to Cincinnati to be closer to Kate before we were even engaged. I left behind my friends and everything that was familiar just to be closer to her.
That is how we must live with Christ. We have to be willing to drop everything we know, everything that is easy and comfortable, to follow him. I recently wrote about the amazing responses of the first followers of Christ when he said, "Follow me." The common response in their circumstances was to literally leave everything and "immediately" follow him.
Christ is calling us to a life drastically different that what we know - a life full of surprises, discomfort and joy, a life of love, mercy and grace, a life of hope and truth.
We must be found in him.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
What DO you like?
I resisted liking Mumford and Sons for awhile because I don't like to like things other people like. It drives my wife crazy.
I had to give Mumford a chance after asking too many times, "What band is this?" I just wanted to share this song and video because I like it, and maybe you like liking things other people like. I tried to look up the meaning behind the song because, of the few things I do like, writing is obviously one of them and I know there is always a meaning behind the written words. Message boards had people saying, "I think it means (and then typing in lyrics from the song)."
They were no help. My take on it is a story about a prodigal, having lost everything familiar to him, gotten into some trouble and now searching for answers anywhere he can.
Also, this live version is cool because Mumford goes crazy on the drums.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hBkeX3k48M&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I had to give Mumford a chance after asking too many times, "What band is this?" I just wanted to share this song and video because I like it, and maybe you like liking things other people like. I tried to look up the meaning behind the song because, of the few things I do like, writing is obviously one of them and I know there is always a meaning behind the written words. Message boards had people saying, "I think it means (and then typing in lyrics from the song)."
They were no help. My take on it is a story about a prodigal, having lost everything familiar to him, gotten into some trouble and now searching for answers anywhere he can.
Also, this live version is cool because Mumford goes crazy on the drums.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hBkeX3k48M&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Monday, October 17, 2011
Greater things than these
I love reading the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John because it helps me get to the basics of why I have committed to living my life for Jesus. The miracles, the healings, the promise of real life - not an easier life, but a better one - life to the full.
What strikes me are the instances when Jesus invites ordinary men to follow him. The incredible thing is not the invitation, but the immediate response of each man to literally drop what he was doing and actually follow Him. These men left their jobs, families and everything normal to go where Jesus went and see what he saw and do what He did.
At the end of John's gospel he writes, "Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name... Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written."
Can you imagine the events that didn't make it into the Bible? There are a few accounts of times when people decided it was too difficult and did walk out on Jesus, but I wonder how many others said to Jesus, "No thanks, I'm good here fishing in this same watering hole I've been to every day for 10 years," or, "Oh maybe, let me check my schedule."
Jesus doesn't work that way. Life with him isn't scheduled or planned. We don't operate on our own accord and we don't always get to do what we want to do. We get to do "even greater things" than those Jesus did. What?
How could we possibly do anything greater than Jesus? That's exactly what he said, according to John, shortly before his death when he promised to send the Holy Spirit to live not just with us but in us. Jesus said having the Spirit is even better than having him on earth, referring to the Spirit of Truth as an advocate to help us and be with us forever, to teach us and remind us of everything Jesus said (John 14).
Aside from the most incredible miracle of taking on the sins of the world, being crucified in our place and raising from the dead, we don't even know the depths of the amazing things Jesus did because the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written to account for them.
What strikes me are the instances when Jesus invites ordinary men to follow him. The incredible thing is not the invitation, but the immediate response of each man to literally drop what he was doing and actually follow Him. These men left their jobs, families and everything normal to go where Jesus went and see what he saw and do what He did.
At the end of John's gospel he writes, "Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name... Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written."
Can you imagine the events that didn't make it into the Bible? There are a few accounts of times when people decided it was too difficult and did walk out on Jesus, but I wonder how many others said to Jesus, "No thanks, I'm good here fishing in this same watering hole I've been to every day for 10 years," or, "Oh maybe, let me check my schedule."
Jesus doesn't work that way. Life with him isn't scheduled or planned. We don't operate on our own accord and we don't always get to do what we want to do. We get to do "even greater things" than those Jesus did. What?
How could we possibly do anything greater than Jesus? That's exactly what he said, according to John, shortly before his death when he promised to send the Holy Spirit to live not just with us but in us. Jesus said having the Spirit is even better than having him on earth, referring to the Spirit of Truth as an advocate to help us and be with us forever, to teach us and remind us of everything Jesus said (John 14).
Aside from the most incredible miracle of taking on the sins of the world, being crucified in our place and raising from the dead, we don't even know the depths of the amazing things Jesus did because the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written to account for them.
Monday, October 10, 2011
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to write a book, which I guess is why I started a blog. My inspiration started by reading a lot of C.S. Lewis and thinking about how smart he was and how many lives he touched through his work. But then I realized that he was really really smart and wondered how I could ever do that.
Then I read a lot of Donald Miller, who I think is great and represents a style that I think I could replicate on a smaller level. I know he is a best-selling author and has published several books, but what I am saying is, my dream became more real when I found someone I could relate to.
This could apply to anyone and their own dream. When I was young, I emulated baseball players like Ken Griffey, Jr. and Roberto Alomar while playing in my backyard. I could never reach the level of Hall of Fame baseball player. But maybe I could be an author.
I am not saying that we should set our goals low - just the opposite. I want to encourage you to dream big but also to be realistic. I am not going to write the next Chronicles of Narnia or Mere Christianity, but by telling my story and putting my experiences on a page, I could pen the next Blue Like Jazz because that was a normal guy talking about his life and his pursuit of God.
What I am saying is, if you want to open a coffee shop, like my friends Chris and Vanessa Cannon, find coffee shop owners to talk to and learn from. If you want to be a hairdresser like my wife, find one you admire and find out how they got to where they are. If you want to be a contractor, find someone who will hire you and teach you everything they know.
My dad was a great personal baseball coach, but Jr. and Robbie were not coming to my house to play catch with me. However, I know a lot of talented writers, published and not, who I can talk to and read and learn from.
My encouragement is to think big, pursue your dream and figure out what you need to do to get there. Seek guidance, take criticism and grow with it.
Then I read a lot of Donald Miller, who I think is great and represents a style that I think I could replicate on a smaller level. I know he is a best-selling author and has published several books, but what I am saying is, my dream became more real when I found someone I could relate to.
This could apply to anyone and their own dream. When I was young, I emulated baseball players like Ken Griffey, Jr. and Roberto Alomar while playing in my backyard. I could never reach the level of Hall of Fame baseball player. But maybe I could be an author.
I am not saying that we should set our goals low - just the opposite. I want to encourage you to dream big but also to be realistic. I am not going to write the next Chronicles of Narnia or Mere Christianity, but by telling my story and putting my experiences on a page, I could pen the next Blue Like Jazz because that was a normal guy talking about his life and his pursuit of God.
What I am saying is, if you want to open a coffee shop, like my friends Chris and Vanessa Cannon, find coffee shop owners to talk to and learn from. If you want to be a hairdresser like my wife, find one you admire and find out how they got to where they are. If you want to be a contractor, find someone who will hire you and teach you everything they know.
My dad was a great personal baseball coach, but Jr. and Robbie were not coming to my house to play catch with me. However, I know a lot of talented writers, published and not, who I can talk to and read and learn from.
My encouragement is to think big, pursue your dream and figure out what you need to do to get there. Seek guidance, take criticism and grow with it.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
On Spiritual Gifts
As I try to get some things organized for the next Iron on Iron weekend with a manly group of man I have been meeting with for more than three years, I started thinking about my gifts, both spiritual and practical. In both cases, I am an administrator, which I think is lame, regardless of its necessity.
I have taken spiritual gifts assessments and personality tests, and they all point to me being an administrator. I do enjoy making spreadsheets and plans and organizing, and I know God uses that. But I see my friends who are gifted in prayer, prophesy and healing, and I want those. I guess God has allowed me to use all of those specific gifts at one time or another, but I want to tap into those.
I believe God allows that, too, from my understanding on 1 Corinthians 12:
Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed... There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
I realize the scripture says that there are different kinds of gifts, but I also think that the last verse - "he distributes them to each one, just as he determines" - allows us access to all of the gifts, although we are each most strongly gifted in one area, that God uses for his glory.
So I will continue to schedule and plan and review. All in His name.
I have taken spiritual gifts assessments and personality tests, and they all point to me being an administrator. I do enjoy making spreadsheets and plans and organizing, and I know God uses that. But I see my friends who are gifted in prayer, prophesy and healing, and I want those. I guess God has allowed me to use all of those specific gifts at one time or another, but I want to tap into those.
I believe God allows that, too, from my understanding on 1 Corinthians 12:
Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed... There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
I realize the scripture says that there are different kinds of gifts, but I also think that the last verse - "he distributes them to each one, just as he determines" - allows us access to all of the gifts, although we are each most strongly gifted in one area, that God uses for his glory.
So I will continue to schedule and plan and review. All in His name.
Monday, October 3, 2011
We found out today we are having a boy! I know I would have been just as excited if the baby was a girl, but every father wants a son, I think. Now I have to figure out how to raise this kid. Good thing we have 20 more weeks.
What are the lessons I want to teach my boy? What position will he play on his little league team? How do I raise a godly man? Heck, how do I become a godly man?
I do know I will teach my son about the importance of surrounding himself with other godly men that he can look up to and turn to for guidance. Hopefully I will be on that list, but he will need boys and men his age to help spur him on.
Dad will always be there, regardless of his choices, but how do I protect him? How much should I protect him? When do I let him learn from his own mistakes?
I'm blessed to have several men in my life who have done this many more times and had to answer these questions themselves.
And what am I going to name him?!?
What are the lessons I want to teach my boy? What position will he play on his little league team? How do I raise a godly man? Heck, how do I become a godly man?
I do know I will teach my son about the importance of surrounding himself with other godly men that he can look up to and turn to for guidance. Hopefully I will be on that list, but he will need boys and men his age to help spur him on.
Dad will always be there, regardless of his choices, but how do I protect him? How much should I protect him? When do I let him learn from his own mistakes?
I'm blessed to have several men in my life who have done this many more times and had to answer these questions themselves.
And what am I going to name him?!?
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