It is has been a while since I have posted. Life in Washington/Union has been a bit busy. The youngest of the Union Wildcat basketball family, my 7th grade team, is 3-2 thus far with a tough week ahead. I hope we can have a winning record at Christmas. Bible Bowl at Washington has been great. Won the last Greenwood Round Robin.
I am a fan of the "Star Wars" movies as many of you know. I recall a quick scene in the first of the original trilogy and number 4 (A New Hope). The Rebels are attacking the Death Star and a missle is fired in an attempt to enter the exhaust shaft and trigger a massive explosion. When it is shot, there is hope and excitement among the Rebel Alliance, but the shot doesn't enter the shaft. It barely misses and has only surface impact on the Death Star.
I thought a lot about those words "surface impact." In the "Star Wars" movie they meant that the Death Star was hit and slightly affected, but nothing lasting. I am afraid that is what happens to a lot of people with respect to Jesus Christ. He makes a "surface impact" and that's about it.
In Luke 8 Jesus tells a parable about a sower and some seed. He notes, later, that the seed is the word of God. The different kinds of soil represent the different kinds of people who hear God's word. Some have the word taken from their hearts by the devil. Some are shallow and do not last. Others have the word choked out by the cares and concerns of the world. A few, though, are good soil. They are the ones that receive the word and allow it to grow and produce a crop.
Now, I know you have heard that parable many times. I thought about it again, however, this morning. I am convinced that there are too many people for whom Jesus only makes a surface impact. They are the rocky soil that doesn't go deep or produce a lasting crop. The Christmas season is upon us. Everywhere you look, you get the feeling of Christmas. The light poles are decorated in both Union and Washington. There is Christmas music on 24/7. Churches are doing their part with programs and events designed to highlight the "reason for the season."
It is all there, but does it really make a difference? I hope you can answer "yes" to that, but not so much with words as actions. You see, a "surface impact" is all about words. One who has allowed Jesus "surface impact" knows the right words. He attends church. He serves as a deacon, maybe even an elder. He has read the Bible, at least some. He is concerned about his image. He wants to look Christian in all he does. He wants to sound Christian in all he says. He is very driven to appear to be a leader and a follower of Christ.
Did you catch the key words there? "Image." "Look." "Sound." "Appear." These are the marks of "Surface Christianity" and are, what I think, Jesus condemned in the Pharisees. One who has allowed Jesus to have real impact is much different. The Death Star exploded into bits when real impact was made. While I don't want to stretch the metaphor too far, I think a life that has really been impacted by Jesus is permanently and radically altered.
Those who really are affected by Jesus, as in the parable, bear good fruit that will last. They live lives worthy of note. They don't just give testimonies, they live them. They don't seek the spotlight of other's attention. They live out their faith in anonymity and obscurity seeking only the Lord's favor. They are different in the way they deal with others. They exude kindness, compassion, gentleness and the rest of the fruits of the Spirit. They don't make excuses for bad behavior by claiming, "Well, I'm not a finished product." In short, they are clearly becoming "little Christs" (Christians).
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. More than that, though, I hope Jesus Christ impacts and explodes upon your life in a way that alters it forever. Thanks for reading....
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Just a few random thougths...
I know that it is rare in the blogging world to post twice in one day. The first post was one that I have had ready for a while. I needed to get the computer ready to get it up. This one is not so much a written "essay," as it is a few random thoughts.
I remember an episode of "Little House on the Prairie" in which Laura and Albert thought they had found gold. They didn't realize that it was "fool's gold" and worthless. They had big hopes and plans for all the money that was surely coming. The episode ends with the huge pile of wothless "fool's gold" drifting away in the creek.
I thought about "fool's gold" in the last day or so. There have been a few times in my life when I have been taken in by "fool's gold" so to speak. I thought something was a certain way or that something would surely happen. Like Laura and Albert, I began to dream a little and make some plans. Also, like Albert and Laura, I have experienced the frustration of finding out that what I thought was one thing, was really something else.
Now I know when I post things like this, I get questions like whether or not I am ok or if I have any regrets about leaving Kansas City. I am fine and I do not, for a minute, have any regrets about moving. I am, though, sorting through some things in life. These posts sometimes reflect that sorting process.
What do you do when you've been taken in by "fool's gold?" Well, I don't know that there is a simple answer. I think you have to go through a process of being a bit down and discouraged. However, there is something, or rather someone, to whom you can look. The Lord tells Joshua, "I will never leave you or forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). Jesus said, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). I think it is important to do as an old chorus suggests; "Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. The things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace."
Seek the Lord when what you thought was gold turns out to be worthless. Hang on to the one who will never abandon you when those upon whom you counted were less than true. Find rest in Him who is always there when those that you knew would never leave have left.
Fool's gold. Hmmm...it doesn't seem right but it can get us to the right place and person.
I remember an episode of "Little House on the Prairie" in which Laura and Albert thought they had found gold. They didn't realize that it was "fool's gold" and worthless. They had big hopes and plans for all the money that was surely coming. The episode ends with the huge pile of wothless "fool's gold" drifting away in the creek.
I thought about "fool's gold" in the last day or so. There have been a few times in my life when I have been taken in by "fool's gold" so to speak. I thought something was a certain way or that something would surely happen. Like Laura and Albert, I began to dream a little and make some plans. Also, like Albert and Laura, I have experienced the frustration of finding out that what I thought was one thing, was really something else.
Now I know when I post things like this, I get questions like whether or not I am ok or if I have any regrets about leaving Kansas City. I am fine and I do not, for a minute, have any regrets about moving. I am, though, sorting through some things in life. These posts sometimes reflect that sorting process.
What do you do when you've been taken in by "fool's gold?" Well, I don't know that there is a simple answer. I think you have to go through a process of being a bit down and discouraged. However, there is something, or rather someone, to whom you can look. The Lord tells Joshua, "I will never leave you or forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). Jesus said, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). I think it is important to do as an old chorus suggests; "Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. The things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace."
Seek the Lord when what you thought was gold turns out to be worthless. Hang on to the one who will never abandon you when those upon whom you counted were less than true. Find rest in Him who is always there when those that you knew would never leave have left.
Fool's gold. Hmmm...it doesn't seem right but it can get us to the right place and person.
Criticism
The month of November has been a full month. I am in the middle of a long-term assignment in the classroom and I have begun basketball. I am the seventh grade coach at Union Middle School and it has been an interesting experience so far. I have had the opportunity for a week or so to have our practice from 6:00 a.m. until 7:40 a.m. and then attend the varsity/jv practice from 3:15 until 6:00 p.m. This made for some long days, but they were very informative.
I always thought of myself as a person who knew a bit about basketball. I played, a little. I coached, a little. I have also officiated the game. I must confess, though, that I didn't really know the game, at least not like now. I still am far from proficient (I feel confident that the parents of the 7th grade Wildcats will remind me of this shortly), but I do see the game differently. Man to man defense is much more than just staying between your man and the basket. The "help line," "deny position" and "close out" are vital to insuring good, solid defense.
People who have played the game may recognize those terms, but I'm sure that there are many fans that have not analyzed the "help line" and "sinking down" to help. Why am I bringing up all of this? As a fan, I used to think I could watch a game and criticize a player or a coach for what was happening on the floor or field. I used to gripe that "so and so" got beat on a play or that "so and so" was out of position. I don't think I'll do that anymore. There is a whole lot to the game that I, as a fan, don't see or really understand.
The same is true with the church. I am convinced that a lot of people in the church criticize that about which they really know very little. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." Just prior to that he noted, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths , but only what is helpful for building others uup according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29). The directive for Christians is to use words to build up and to enrich. Too many times, though, words are used to tear down and destroy.
Let me be clear. There is an accountability structure and we are all accountable to God. Having said that, though, there are a whole lot of church folk that criticize and tear up that about which they know very little. As I am now on a "sabbatical," I can ask some of these questions. "How is it that you, elder, who has never ran a youth group or taught kids a lesson, have become an expert on what the youth minister should be doing?" You don't know. "How is it that you, deacon, who have never tried to work and have the Lord grow a church through your leadership, can comment on whether or not a minister is able to do that?" You really can't. So, my inquiry is, why do we do it? Let's stop. Unless I am really qualified to oversee, my role is to support, encourage and ask questions. Too many churches are torn up by those who see their role as "chief critic." I believe that the church doesn't need that position filled.
I will do my best this season to coach the 7th grade Wildcats. I know that I have much to learn. I will take every opportunity I can to learn what I can. I will also be much more hesitant to criticize others on the athletic field, coaches and players. Bill Self, Bill Snyder, Mark Mangino, Gary Pinkel, Mike Anderson and a host of others know a great deal more than I do. I will try to support and encourage. You might try that in church, too. Thanks for reading...
I always thought of myself as a person who knew a bit about basketball. I played, a little. I coached, a little. I have also officiated the game. I must confess, though, that I didn't really know the game, at least not like now. I still am far from proficient (I feel confident that the parents of the 7th grade Wildcats will remind me of this shortly), but I do see the game differently. Man to man defense is much more than just staying between your man and the basket. The "help line," "deny position" and "close out" are vital to insuring good, solid defense.
People who have played the game may recognize those terms, but I'm sure that there are many fans that have not analyzed the "help line" and "sinking down" to help. Why am I bringing up all of this? As a fan, I used to think I could watch a game and criticize a player or a coach for what was happening on the floor or field. I used to gripe that "so and so" got beat on a play or that "so and so" was out of position. I don't think I'll do that anymore. There is a whole lot to the game that I, as a fan, don't see or really understand.
The same is true with the church. I am convinced that a lot of people in the church criticize that about which they really know very little. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." Just prior to that he noted, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths , but only what is helpful for building others uup according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29). The directive for Christians is to use words to build up and to enrich. Too many times, though, words are used to tear down and destroy.
Let me be clear. There is an accountability structure and we are all accountable to God. Having said that, though, there are a whole lot of church folk that criticize and tear up that about which they know very little. As I am now on a "sabbatical," I can ask some of these questions. "How is it that you, elder, who has never ran a youth group or taught kids a lesson, have become an expert on what the youth minister should be doing?" You don't know. "How is it that you, deacon, who have never tried to work and have the Lord grow a church through your leadership, can comment on whether or not a minister is able to do that?" You really can't. So, my inquiry is, why do we do it? Let's stop. Unless I am really qualified to oversee, my role is to support, encourage and ask questions. Too many churches are torn up by those who see their role as "chief critic." I believe that the church doesn't need that position filled.
I will do my best this season to coach the 7th grade Wildcats. I know that I have much to learn. I will take every opportunity I can to learn what I can. I will also be much more hesitant to criticize others on the athletic field, coaches and players. Bill Self, Bill Snyder, Mark Mangino, Gary Pinkel, Mike Anderson and a host of others know a great deal more than I do. I will try to support and encourage. You might try that in church, too. Thanks for reading...
Sunday, November 8, 2009
A Season for Everything
I read through the book of Lamentations last week. I know you're thinking, "That's really uplifting." It might come as a bit of a surprise to you that I did find it encouraging. In case it has been a while since you've been to this Old Testament treasure, let me give you some background. The book of Lamentations was likely written by Jeremiah and is a companion to the book of Jeremiah. It is written in Hebrew poetic style with the first letter of each verse in chapters 1,2,and four corresponding to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In chapter 3, each letter is given three verses. Where the book of Jeremiah looks to the future, the book of Lamentations looks to the past. Jeremiah is among the exiles and he weeps for what was and he begins to pray and seek God's mercy.
There are a couple of verses in the middle of a challenging text that convey a message of hope. Lamentations 3:22-23 say, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Jeremiah writes these words as he mourns, broken-hearted, over the condition of God's people. They provide a glimmer of hope in a dark time. As I read them, I could not help but be reminded of the phrase that has come to mean a lot to me, "This too, shall pass."
I believe that one of the themes of this little book is that there are times of struggle and difficulty. Sin has consequences and God is just. However, in the middle of tough times, there is hope. If we will repent and seek to do what God wants us to do, he will forgive and renew.
There are seasons in life. I have been walking a mile or so nearly every day for about a month. Usually I am walking with a friend who lives near me. Sometimes I walk alone. When alone, I try to make some observations and think some "deep thougths" while walking. I confess, sometimes the "deep thought" is to check 8th Street before crossing, but I am still thinking. As I was walking on an unusually warm Sunday evening last weekend, I noticed several things. I saw a young family playing in their front yard. Mom, dad and two small children were having a good time in the leaves. I saw an older man and his wife get into their car and drive off for an unknown to me destination. I saw a house that had multiple cars in the driveway; a sure sign of teenagers. I noticed some other things, too. I looked up and saw a baby bird fly away from a nest and not look back. I saw squirrels gathering acorns and running frantically to store them away. As I thought about all of these things, I thought about the seasons of our lives.
I am in a different season now than I was only a year ago. The relationships that I took for granted then are different now. Sometimes I long for things to be as they were. There are some things that I miss terribly. There are some things that I don't miss at all. The truth is, though, that seasons change. The older couple was once the family with teenagers which was once the family of small children. There is no going back. God uses the birds to remind us of that.
That can be a hard lesson. The mistakes that you and I have made are done. I can't go back and do it again. We must deal with the consequences of what is. That is what Lamentations tells us. There is more, though. Through the tough times, God is faithful. He is there. He offers forgiveness and restoration. He offers love and the chance to begin again. I have begun to see that there is joy in the moment in which we find ourselves. The young couple laughed and played without thinking of the day when their children would leave. Parents of teens can rejoice in the maturing and growing of their kids into adults. They don't have to be "bogged down" by the problems. Seasoned saints can still have joy in loving and caring for those around them. Joy in the moment. I like the sound of that.
There are some things that I wish weren't as they are. I'm sure you have things like that, too. There are times when I am dealing with the consequences of my own decisions. You probably understand that, as well. I hope that we can see these times as seasons. Allow God to show us what we need to see and bring about another day. Even in Lamentations, there is a glimpse of joy. I found it. I hope you do, too. Don't look back. Look up. I did.
There are a couple of verses in the middle of a challenging text that convey a message of hope. Lamentations 3:22-23 say, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Jeremiah writes these words as he mourns, broken-hearted, over the condition of God's people. They provide a glimmer of hope in a dark time. As I read them, I could not help but be reminded of the phrase that has come to mean a lot to me, "This too, shall pass."
I believe that one of the themes of this little book is that there are times of struggle and difficulty. Sin has consequences and God is just. However, in the middle of tough times, there is hope. If we will repent and seek to do what God wants us to do, he will forgive and renew.
There are seasons in life. I have been walking a mile or so nearly every day for about a month. Usually I am walking with a friend who lives near me. Sometimes I walk alone. When alone, I try to make some observations and think some "deep thougths" while walking. I confess, sometimes the "deep thought" is to check 8th Street before crossing, but I am still thinking. As I was walking on an unusually warm Sunday evening last weekend, I noticed several things. I saw a young family playing in their front yard. Mom, dad and two small children were having a good time in the leaves. I saw an older man and his wife get into their car and drive off for an unknown to me destination. I saw a house that had multiple cars in the driveway; a sure sign of teenagers. I noticed some other things, too. I looked up and saw a baby bird fly away from a nest and not look back. I saw squirrels gathering acorns and running frantically to store them away. As I thought about all of these things, I thought about the seasons of our lives.
I am in a different season now than I was only a year ago. The relationships that I took for granted then are different now. Sometimes I long for things to be as they were. There are some things that I miss terribly. There are some things that I don't miss at all. The truth is, though, that seasons change. The older couple was once the family with teenagers which was once the family of small children. There is no going back. God uses the birds to remind us of that.
That can be a hard lesson. The mistakes that you and I have made are done. I can't go back and do it again. We must deal with the consequences of what is. That is what Lamentations tells us. There is more, though. Through the tough times, God is faithful. He is there. He offers forgiveness and restoration. He offers love and the chance to begin again. I have begun to see that there is joy in the moment in which we find ourselves. The young couple laughed and played without thinking of the day when their children would leave. Parents of teens can rejoice in the maturing and growing of their kids into adults. They don't have to be "bogged down" by the problems. Seasoned saints can still have joy in loving and caring for those around them. Joy in the moment. I like the sound of that.
There are some things that I wish weren't as they are. I'm sure you have things like that, too. There are times when I am dealing with the consequences of my own decisions. You probably understand that, as well. I hope that we can see these times as seasons. Allow God to show us what we need to see and bring about another day. Even in Lamentations, there is a glimpse of joy. I found it. I hope you do, too. Don't look back. Look up. I did.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Reminder of what matters
This is my second post and it is nearly November. Initially, when I came to Washington, I thought I would write a lot. I still hope to do more, but it didn't work out like I thought it might. I suppose that could be said of quite a few things. Have you ever found yourself asking the question of God, "Why is it like this?" I know that there are people that have done so. I've seen them and talked to them. A woman whose husband died of cancer; parents whose child has turned away from what he or she has been taught; a dejected couple whose nursery remains empty; all of them ask the same question; "Why is it like this?" There is a companion question that rides shotgun with this "why" question. It is, "How come others have it better/smoother/easier than I do?" These two questions, I think, are common and trouble a lot of people.
I think Elijah must have felt that way as he sat under the broom tree. I think David must've felt like that as he fled from Saul. I believe Daniel might have entertained this thought on his way to the lions' den. Surely Joseph pondered these questions as he sat, year after year, in prison. These are Bible stories that we know and learn as children in Sunday School and, yet, they are real people. These folks found themselves in difficult situations and it appeared, perhaps to them, that God was going to let it go. Why? Why did they have it so tough? Why did others seem to get by without as much struggle?
Why does God act as he does? Why do some have it more difficult than others? Why are some more gifted than others? Why do some get opportunites or chances that others don't get? I've thought about these questions over the last few days. I don't know that I have any "real" answers (I hear what you're thinking. Why write about it then!!). I do, though, want to share a story that, as I thought about these nagging questions, kept coming back to me. You see, I think when we entertain these questions, we are are allowing ourselves to ask the question that Kevin Costner asked of James Earl Jones in the movie "Field of Dreams." We are asking God, "What's in it for me?" How come I don't have the chances that he does? Why does she seem to get all the breaks? Why can't I be more like so and so? It all comes down to us challenging God, "What's in it for me?" Let me share my story.
I'll call him Mitchell. I am currently the building sub at Union Middle School. Right now I am in a Reading/English class on a maternity leave assignment. I will do this until after Christmas. Before that, though, I just filled in wherever needed. One day, in September, I was asked to go the building next door to our school and work in the "Special Ed" building. That's where I met Mitchell. Mitchell is ten years old and is autistic. He has other issues and problems that I do not know of. I know this, though, Mitchell cannot speak, not what we consider speaking anyway. He is unable to communicate with words. He does know a few cuss words which he picked up from some of the males in his life. He can mimic them, but that's it. I was told to spend eight hours with Mitchell. I think, though I was never told, that I was an experiment. They wanted to see how Mitchell would do with a male teacher. I know that I kept track of the number of cuss words he said in the day and it was less than normal. I know that we got some work done. I watched Mitchell that day. He played with blocks and beads. He would communicate with me by touching or pulling on my arm. I thought about Mitchell. I thought how difficult it had to be to have thoughts in your mind that you could not express. I thought how challenging it would be to not be able to say or communicate or even connect with the world around you. I didn't do it at school, but that night I prayed for Mitchell.
Why am I sharing this story? It doesn't answer the questions that I posed earlier, but it does give me perspective. I don't always understand why things are as they are or why others maybe have it a bit better. It does remind me, though, that there are plenty who have it tougher. Next September I will likely be in another place, sharing the gospel of Christ. Mitchell will likely be in that little room on the second floor. I was supposed to be his teacher that day, but he taught me something, too. I am truly grateful for what I have and the opportunities that I've been given. I won't take them for granted and I will trust that God will provide them as he sees fit. I will live in the day that I've been given and know that what God allows will be okay. Others might be more gifted or speak in large churches but that's all right. I have enough that I can serve him.
Maybe you've wondered why you don't have as much as someone else. Maybe it has been tough and you've questioned God. If so, then I hope you meet someone like Mitchell. Let him or her remind you of what really matters and how we should be content to use what we have been given for his glory.
On Tuesday of this week, when I was coming downstairs from the cafeteria, Mitchell and his class were coming up the stairs. The crew from the other building had taken the kids for a walk. I saw him and said "hi." He made a noise and tapped my milk carton. I'd like to think he remembers. I know I do. Maybe he only reconginzed the carton. Maybe it was just a tap, but maybe it was a bit more. I hope so...
I think Elijah must have felt that way as he sat under the broom tree. I think David must've felt like that as he fled from Saul. I believe Daniel might have entertained this thought on his way to the lions' den. Surely Joseph pondered these questions as he sat, year after year, in prison. These are Bible stories that we know and learn as children in Sunday School and, yet, they are real people. These folks found themselves in difficult situations and it appeared, perhaps to them, that God was going to let it go. Why? Why did they have it so tough? Why did others seem to get by without as much struggle?
Why does God act as he does? Why do some have it more difficult than others? Why are some more gifted than others? Why do some get opportunites or chances that others don't get? I've thought about these questions over the last few days. I don't know that I have any "real" answers (I hear what you're thinking. Why write about it then!!). I do, though, want to share a story that, as I thought about these nagging questions, kept coming back to me. You see, I think when we entertain these questions, we are are allowing ourselves to ask the question that Kevin Costner asked of James Earl Jones in the movie "Field of Dreams." We are asking God, "What's in it for me?" How come I don't have the chances that he does? Why does she seem to get all the breaks? Why can't I be more like so and so? It all comes down to us challenging God, "What's in it for me?" Let me share my story.
I'll call him Mitchell. I am currently the building sub at Union Middle School. Right now I am in a Reading/English class on a maternity leave assignment. I will do this until after Christmas. Before that, though, I just filled in wherever needed. One day, in September, I was asked to go the building next door to our school and work in the "Special Ed" building. That's where I met Mitchell. Mitchell is ten years old and is autistic. He has other issues and problems that I do not know of. I know this, though, Mitchell cannot speak, not what we consider speaking anyway. He is unable to communicate with words. He does know a few cuss words which he picked up from some of the males in his life. He can mimic them, but that's it. I was told to spend eight hours with Mitchell. I think, though I was never told, that I was an experiment. They wanted to see how Mitchell would do with a male teacher. I know that I kept track of the number of cuss words he said in the day and it was less than normal. I know that we got some work done. I watched Mitchell that day. He played with blocks and beads. He would communicate with me by touching or pulling on my arm. I thought about Mitchell. I thought how difficult it had to be to have thoughts in your mind that you could not express. I thought how challenging it would be to not be able to say or communicate or even connect with the world around you. I didn't do it at school, but that night I prayed for Mitchell.
Why am I sharing this story? It doesn't answer the questions that I posed earlier, but it does give me perspective. I don't always understand why things are as they are or why others maybe have it a bit better. It does remind me, though, that there are plenty who have it tougher. Next September I will likely be in another place, sharing the gospel of Christ. Mitchell will likely be in that little room on the second floor. I was supposed to be his teacher that day, but he taught me something, too. I am truly grateful for what I have and the opportunities that I've been given. I won't take them for granted and I will trust that God will provide them as he sees fit. I will live in the day that I've been given and know that what God allows will be okay. Others might be more gifted or speak in large churches but that's all right. I have enough that I can serve him.
Maybe you've wondered why you don't have as much as someone else. Maybe it has been tough and you've questioned God. If so, then I hope you meet someone like Mitchell. Let him or her remind you of what really matters and how we should be content to use what we have been given for his glory.
On Tuesday of this week, when I was coming downstairs from the cafeteria, Mitchell and his class were coming up the stairs. The crew from the other building had taken the kids for a walk. I saw him and said "hi." He made a noise and tapped my milk carton. I'd like to think he remembers. I know I do. Maybe he only reconginzed the carton. Maybe it was just a tap, but maybe it was a bit more. I hope so...
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Post 1 Choices
I am excited to begin this blog. I am currently on an "open-ended" Sabbatical in Washington, Missouri. I have been here since the middle of August and continue to seek what the Lord may have for me. Today I wanted to begin with a thought or two about choices.
This morning, before church, I caught the end of the movie "The Family Man." If you haven't seen it, it is a bit like an inverse "It's A Wonderful Life." The main character, Nicholas Cage, is a wealthy Wall Street type who has chosen career and status over love. On Christmas Eve he gets the chance to see what his life would have been like if he had made a different choice.
When I came home from church, while grading essays and waiting for the Chiefs' game to begin, I caught the end of the movie "Juno." It, too, is a movie about choices. Juno and her boyfriend choose to allow the baby to live. The woman's husband chooses to leave and she chooses the baby. It is all about choice.
As I thought about these movies, I thought about the choices we make. Joshua, at the end of the book of Joshua, makes it clear to the people. He tells them, "But if serving the Lord seems undesirabale to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:14).
We all have choices to make. I have made many choices, both good and bad. I chose to leave Kansas City and move to Missouri. I chose to leave behind comfort and security. I chose to leave teaching and enter ministry years ago. I have chosen, over the years, to begin and end relationships. The life I now have is a result of the choices I have made. I suppose it is honest to say that I wish I could go back and "re-do" some of those decisions. There are some things I think I would choose to do differently. That possibility, though, exists only in the movies. We can only press ahead. The goal, I think, is to make the choices that God wants us to make. There's the Sunday School answer, huh? But it is true. It is just hard. I would like to think that all of my choices reflect his will. Sadly, though, many times I will seek to cloak my choices in religious garb and act like they were heaven-sent. After all, how can anyone argue with me when I tell them, "this is God's will for my life?" One who is truly seeking the Lord, I think, comes to him humbly and with an open heart and mind. I see God's will for my life more clearly in the template of sharing his plan for me with others and getting their input. That helps sort out what is from Him and what is from me.
I will continue to trust him and will make some choices very soon. I hope the choices I make are his leading and not my own.
This morning, before church, I caught the end of the movie "The Family Man." If you haven't seen it, it is a bit like an inverse "It's A Wonderful Life." The main character, Nicholas Cage, is a wealthy Wall Street type who has chosen career and status over love. On Christmas Eve he gets the chance to see what his life would have been like if he had made a different choice.
When I came home from church, while grading essays and waiting for the Chiefs' game to begin, I caught the end of the movie "Juno." It, too, is a movie about choices. Juno and her boyfriend choose to allow the baby to live. The woman's husband chooses to leave and she chooses the baby. It is all about choice.
As I thought about these movies, I thought about the choices we make. Joshua, at the end of the book of Joshua, makes it clear to the people. He tells them, "But if serving the Lord seems undesirabale to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:14).
We all have choices to make. I have made many choices, both good and bad. I chose to leave Kansas City and move to Missouri. I chose to leave behind comfort and security. I chose to leave teaching and enter ministry years ago. I have chosen, over the years, to begin and end relationships. The life I now have is a result of the choices I have made. I suppose it is honest to say that I wish I could go back and "re-do" some of those decisions. There are some things I think I would choose to do differently. That possibility, though, exists only in the movies. We can only press ahead. The goal, I think, is to make the choices that God wants us to make. There's the Sunday School answer, huh? But it is true. It is just hard. I would like to think that all of my choices reflect his will. Sadly, though, many times I will seek to cloak my choices in religious garb and act like they were heaven-sent. After all, how can anyone argue with me when I tell them, "this is God's will for my life?" One who is truly seeking the Lord, I think, comes to him humbly and with an open heart and mind. I see God's will for my life more clearly in the template of sharing his plan for me with others and getting their input. That helps sort out what is from Him and what is from me.
I will continue to trust him and will make some choices very soon. I hope the choices I make are his leading and not my own.
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