So it's that time of the year again. It's that time just before Christmas when people shop frantically or not depending on the type of person you are I suppose. It's that time of the year where we often forget or verbally have to remind ourselves what the reason for the season is and what's it's all really about. Often I catch myself reminding myself of this while I am amidst the craziness of Christmas shopping or participating in the craziness. It is also that time of year when we (or at least I) begin to ponder of the year that just passed and what the new one approaching may hold. As I have been doing that lately it appears that 2011 had one predominant theme for me. SEASONS. Reflecting on 2011 there have been a few seasons that I have gone through that I to be honest have not been a fan of at all, but the reality is that they are good for me. I guess I could call them vegetables for my soul. (May not like them, but they're good for me) Okay, maybe not but you get the point. Anywho here are some of my toughest, but most necessary veggies of 2011.
Season of simplicity.
This season has been part of my journey while taking over the worship leader role at my local church. My personal preference while leading worship is to use a full band and really "go for it", but during this time God has been very specific while instructing me to start building this house from the foundation and that foundation isn't how we do what we do. Our foundation is Jesus and I was to lead simply worshipping Him. As we become worshippers we can increase what happens on the stage, but it became very evident that we were to establish a church that worships Him first.
Season of solitude
This perhaps has been my most difficult season to come to grips with as I love being around people on a social level or in a relationship. Perhaps it could be more accurately put that I do not like being by myself. Well 2011 has been a year where this has become my reality much more often than I would like. Initially I was bitter and for lack of a better term mopey and whiny over this development. As time passed I had to come to the realisation that there must be something for me to learn in this so I could remain a "big baby bed wetter" or figure it out and hopefully have this season pass in it's time. Though this one is still in the "in the works" process some things I have come to learn from this season is that I appreciate the relationships in my life when I am not constantly around them or depending on being with them to have value or worth. Also it has brought me back to my "first love" which I can so easily let slide as bad as that sounds. Currently I am reading a book called "Not A Fan" and it is a perfect read in this season of solitude. Am I a "fan" of Jesus or a "follower".
Season of searching
This season has been a difficult one as it is often easy to just float in life and let the days pass without reflection or asking the hard questions. Also it's kind of a tough one because as I search myself there may be things that I find that I may not like. Truly searching, truly seeking, truly asking tough questions may require change and that takes work. Who likes that really? Well like it or lump it this is a season that I've gone through this year and as much as I would like to think that at almost 34 years of age I have it figured out, I most definitely do not. Constant learning requires constant changing because life moves. If we do not move and adjust we become stale and stagnant. So as I heard a college colleague say once, "It again is time for me to put my pride in my pocket" and make some changes based on my findings of my search.
There have been other seasons that I have gone through that I may discuss later as they come to mind, but for the sake of time and making you all think I am completely messed up I will end here.
Each season serves a purpose and we can choose to accept that or be bitter as we go through them. To be honest I am not a fan of winter, but if I embrace it and take the positive out of it (sliding, snowman and watching my son play hockey, etc...) then it is can be a fantastic time rich with fulfilment. Don't get me wrong, I don't see myself ever liking slush but it's all about perspective and in each season (like them or not) I can learn and better myself as I discover it's purpose.
And now if you've made it this far I thank you for reading and wish you the Merriest of Christmas' and pray that you have an amazing season of rest, time with your family and celebration during these next few weeks.
Blessings...
Friday, 16 December 2011
Monday, 28 November 2011
Who Am I?
Yeah, I know. I'll try to smarten up and get better at this again. 'Nuff said.
This will be a quick thought, but it pricked my heart none-the-less when it came to mind.
I just listened to a song from a band that I am unfamiliar with on a friend's facebook wall and one of the lines in the song said this: "If I could be anything at all, let me be the whore at your feet." I have to admit that something resonated in me when I heard and read that line. That is where the title of this post came from actually.
Let me explain. Of course this line speaks of the woman who threw herself at Christ's feet and poured an expensive perfume over his feet. This of course made the "religious" people indignant as most things do that are out of their comfort zone or traditions. Judas actually said to Jesus, "that was worth a years wages and we could have sold it to give to the poor." This statement was a touch ironic I'd say since the verse continues on to say that Judas did not give to the poor as he tended to steal from the diciples anyway as he was in charge of their money. (John 12:3-6) This all takes me back to the statement from the song I heard tonight and the question that it left me with.
Who Am I?
Am I the religous folk who is more concerned with the spilled perfume? I can picture someone saying, "Oh great, who's going clean this mess up?" And Judas, "We could have given that money to the poor." Don't we like to say the right things sometimes to sound righteous and spiritual? And the fact that this unsavory woman is touching Jesus' feet? How could he let her do that? Doesn't He know who she is, what her story is and what she's done? Surely he doesn't or he wouldn't let her do this to his feet. What will people say? This is out of the ordinary and I'm just not sure I'm comfortable with this. I'm sure there were many statements like this, but before I am too hard on those religious folks I must check my heart as well regarding this "spirit of religion". Often times I can feel myself getting uncomfortable when things don't seem as they should be as I've made the expectations in my little box. How dare someone speak out while the preacher's preaching? I can't believe that song said "whore" and so on and so on and so on. Is this who I am?
Or... Am I the "whore at Jesus feet?" Am I the person who wants nothing more than to just be at my Savior's feet, in His presence and basking in his company with no expectations or performance necessary? Am I the person who desires to create a sweet aroma for my King while I worship Him? Am I the person who recognizes my shortcomings, yet still accepts that He loves me no matter what and that I can come in his presence as I am, in my sin with no reservations.
Who Am I? One disturbing fact in all of this was when I read that statement my initial thought was, "I can't believe they used that word."
God save me from my religious attitude, my pious persona and my judgmental leadings. Make me a person who adores you so much that I will come to you, in humility, in simplicity, with a grateful heart for who you are, what you've done and what you want to do in my life. May You increase and I decrease in my life. May I be "the whore at Your feet."
This will be a quick thought, but it pricked my heart none-the-less when it came to mind.
I just listened to a song from a band that I am unfamiliar with on a friend's facebook wall and one of the lines in the song said this: "If I could be anything at all, let me be the whore at your feet." I have to admit that something resonated in me when I heard and read that line. That is where the title of this post came from actually.
Let me explain. Of course this line speaks of the woman who threw herself at Christ's feet and poured an expensive perfume over his feet. This of course made the "religious" people indignant as most things do that are out of their comfort zone or traditions. Judas actually said to Jesus, "that was worth a years wages and we could have sold it to give to the poor." This statement was a touch ironic I'd say since the verse continues on to say that Judas did not give to the poor as he tended to steal from the diciples anyway as he was in charge of their money. (John 12:3-6) This all takes me back to the statement from the song I heard tonight and the question that it left me with.
Who Am I?
Am I the religous folk who is more concerned with the spilled perfume? I can picture someone saying, "Oh great, who's going clean this mess up?" And Judas, "We could have given that money to the poor." Don't we like to say the right things sometimes to sound righteous and spiritual? And the fact that this unsavory woman is touching Jesus' feet? How could he let her do that? Doesn't He know who she is, what her story is and what she's done? Surely he doesn't or he wouldn't let her do this to his feet. What will people say? This is out of the ordinary and I'm just not sure I'm comfortable with this. I'm sure there were many statements like this, but before I am too hard on those religious folks I must check my heart as well regarding this "spirit of religion". Often times I can feel myself getting uncomfortable when things don't seem as they should be as I've made the expectations in my little box. How dare someone speak out while the preacher's preaching? I can't believe that song said "whore" and so on and so on and so on. Is this who I am?
Or... Am I the "whore at Jesus feet?" Am I the person who wants nothing more than to just be at my Savior's feet, in His presence and basking in his company with no expectations or performance necessary? Am I the person who desires to create a sweet aroma for my King while I worship Him? Am I the person who recognizes my shortcomings, yet still accepts that He loves me no matter what and that I can come in his presence as I am, in my sin with no reservations.
Who Am I? One disturbing fact in all of this was when I read that statement my initial thought was, "I can't believe they used that word."
God save me from my religious attitude, my pious persona and my judgmental leadings. Make me a person who adores you so much that I will come to you, in humility, in simplicity, with a grateful heart for who you are, what you've done and what you want to do in my life. May You increase and I decrease in my life. May I be "the whore at Your feet."
Thursday, 13 October 2011
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So once again life has caused me to be too busy to even step away and creat on this forum. I have to say that I was blessed after my last post by a friend telling me I have a book in my future. I sure hope so. Much like the painful process of working out, with writing I feel a release while doing the activity which causes me to feel wonderful after. I may not always enjoy it at the time as I struggle through, but there is a relaxed feeling after. It's hard to explain. The funny thing about this person mentioning a book in my future is that I was really thinking about this last spring and it too has gone on the shelf until I am given a clear direction as to where this book is headed. Again using the workout analogy, I believe it is important for me to be aware of when it's ok to take a break and when I am just being lazy. Somedays it is just a matter of getting my lazy butt out of bed and putting pen to paper, fingers to keyboards and feet to treadmills.
How often do we do this in life, but when we go for it and go through with the event we have this overwhelming sensation of "that was great". I do this all the time. As of late I have not had a workout that I left saying, "I don't feel as good as when I got here." The difficult part is getting to the gym or more accurate, getting out of bed. Yet when I do, I am blessed and feel great about the accomplishments.
Isn't this how it works in life and in our faith sometimes? We say, I don't know I am comfortable here. Why do I need to step out? God will provide someone else. This may be true, but the reality is that if we do not step up to the opportunities God presents to us it is us that will miss blessings. I will end with 2 quotes which I heard this week and they got my attention. The first one is by Craig Groeschel and it says, "When you walk in bold obedience "TO" God you are not surprised by the miracles "OF" God. The second one I read was by Rick Warren's wife. She said, "The safest place for the shiny new ships are in the harbour, but that is not what they were made for." What are we made for? What are you made for? What am I made for? Whatever it is, will we do it?
Our actions flow from who we are in our heart. Will we choose the safe harbour or to get out, get involved and bless those around us who need a blessing.
How often do we do this in life, but when we go for it and go through with the event we have this overwhelming sensation of "that was great". I do this all the time. As of late I have not had a workout that I left saying, "I don't feel as good as when I got here." The difficult part is getting to the gym or more accurate, getting out of bed. Yet when I do, I am blessed and feel great about the accomplishments.
Isn't this how it works in life and in our faith sometimes? We say, I don't know I am comfortable here. Why do I need to step out? God will provide someone else. This may be true, but the reality is that if we do not step up to the opportunities God presents to us it is us that will miss blessings. I will end with 2 quotes which I heard this week and they got my attention. The first one is by Craig Groeschel and it says, "When you walk in bold obedience "TO" God you are not surprised by the miracles "OF" God. The second one I read was by Rick Warren's wife. She said, "The safest place for the shiny new ships are in the harbour, but that is not what they were made for." What are we made for? What are you made for? What am I made for? Whatever it is, will we do it?
Our actions flow from who we are in our heart. Will we choose the safe harbour or to get out, get involved and bless those around us who need a blessing.
Friday, 9 September 2011
WHY ARE YOU PRAYING???
Not real sure how this post is going to play out, but I've had some thoughts running through my head today about life, love and other mysteries. Yes that was a Point of Grace joke and if you got it, I am shaking my head at you too whether you admit it or not.
The main thing today that has been putting my brain through the spin cycle today is whether or not "we" as "the church" ever use the phrase, "I'll pray about it" as an excuse to be inactive. This could be due to fear, laziness, selfishness or many other reasons I am sure. I may sound cynical here, but sometimes I wonder if when people say, "I'll pray about it" if I will ever hear from that person again regarding the topic that was discussed at that moment. The reality is that I have often been guilty of that exact thing. We walk away from the conversation and I feel good about my oh so spiritual self.
Now I believe there are a lot of things we need to be praying about because without God's guidance in many areas we can get ourselves into some pretty deep waters. Again speaking from experience here. Yet, I also believe there are things that I believe we DO NOT need to pray about. Now before you decide to tar and feather me and call me a heretic, give me a brief window of opportunity to explain myself. In scripture it speaks to if someone comes to you and says, "I am hungry" and you say "I will pray for you now go on your way", what good does that do? I know that's not the exact wording, but you get the idea. From my experience it seems that there are opportunities that hit us smack dab in the face and land in our lap and I feel that it displeases God for us to say, "Perhaps I should pray about it" instead of just doing what we know is right. Again often times it seems that we just say that we need to pray so that time will pass and we will be removed from the conversation/situation and will most likely forget about it.
I discovered today that for me the Holy Spirit has a southern drawl and has Perry Noble's voice. As I was presented with an opportunity to bless a family that I do not know I wrestled with the thought's of "can I afford this" and the voice said, "you cannot outgive God". As I thought "perhaps I should pray about this" the voice said "really? well what shall they have for supper?" At that moment it became very apparent to me that it was time to act and not pray as God has made it very clear in His Word how deeply he loves the lost, the poor, the widows and the hungry and He will never be disappointed in us "doing what is good" and taking opportunities to bless "the lost, the least, the last and the little".
So what are we facing today? Yes in many area's in life it is very appropriate to pray and seek God's wisdom and direction, but let us never use the phrase "I'll pray about it" as an opportunity to get us out of a situation where it is very obvious that we can help. The least we can do is call a spade a spade and say, "I am not helping you because I am more concerned by my own desires" or whatever excuse we have. May we never try to "spiritualize" our selfishness under the mask of seeking God and when it comes to helping those who are down and out, don't pray... Just Do It!
Blessings,
~swl~
The main thing today that has been putting my brain through the spin cycle today is whether or not "we" as "the church" ever use the phrase, "I'll pray about it" as an excuse to be inactive. This could be due to fear, laziness, selfishness or many other reasons I am sure. I may sound cynical here, but sometimes I wonder if when people say, "I'll pray about it" if I will ever hear from that person again regarding the topic that was discussed at that moment. The reality is that I have often been guilty of that exact thing. We walk away from the conversation and I feel good about my oh so spiritual self.
Now I believe there are a lot of things we need to be praying about because without God's guidance in many areas we can get ourselves into some pretty deep waters. Again speaking from experience here. Yet, I also believe there are things that I believe we DO NOT need to pray about. Now before you decide to tar and feather me and call me a heretic, give me a brief window of opportunity to explain myself. In scripture it speaks to if someone comes to you and says, "I am hungry" and you say "I will pray for you now go on your way", what good does that do? I know that's not the exact wording, but you get the idea. From my experience it seems that there are opportunities that hit us smack dab in the face and land in our lap and I feel that it displeases God for us to say, "Perhaps I should pray about it" instead of just doing what we know is right. Again often times it seems that we just say that we need to pray so that time will pass and we will be removed from the conversation/situation and will most likely forget about it.
I discovered today that for me the Holy Spirit has a southern drawl and has Perry Noble's voice. As I was presented with an opportunity to bless a family that I do not know I wrestled with the thought's of "can I afford this" and the voice said, "you cannot outgive God". As I thought "perhaps I should pray about this" the voice said "really? well what shall they have for supper?" At that moment it became very apparent to me that it was time to act and not pray as God has made it very clear in His Word how deeply he loves the lost, the poor, the widows and the hungry and He will never be disappointed in us "doing what is good" and taking opportunities to bless "the lost, the least, the last and the little".
So what are we facing today? Yes in many area's in life it is very appropriate to pray and seek God's wisdom and direction, but let us never use the phrase "I'll pray about it" as an opportunity to get us out of a situation where it is very obvious that we can help. The least we can do is call a spade a spade and say, "I am not helping you because I am more concerned by my own desires" or whatever excuse we have. May we never try to "spiritualize" our selfishness under the mask of seeking God and when it comes to helping those who are down and out, don't pray... Just Do It!
Blessings,
~swl~
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Coming out of the fog.
I know. Like a lot of things I do, I came out strong with guns a blazing and then fell flat and forgot about it. I have to confess that happened partially because I fell in a bit of a creative funk or a fog where I would start to write something or try and collect my thoughts and it quickly became incoherant rambling and I would stop. The other side of the coin was that often times I can just speak and it appears that it is happening just to hear my own voice. Talking for me is easy, but I want my voice to have a depth and substance that is beyond me. There have been times in my job where I will be speaking with a client and laying down some truth about their lives and choices and after it is all said and done, all I can say is "Who just said that?" because that was way too smart for me. I love those moments. Never am I more out of (my) control, but never do I speak with more confidence because I am in (His) control. I would love to be like Scripture says about Samuel, after he "woke up", came out of his fog and realized that God was talking to him. It said that "the Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, he let none of his words fall to the ground."(1 Samuel 3:19) At this moment I can somewhat relate with Samuel because I'm not typically awake at 6 am, yet I could not get back to sleep. So here we are.
The passage that I was directed to this morning as I attempted to get back to sleep (fighting God, ever been there?) was Psalm 139. It is a familiar Psalm, but I love how it is divided into what seems to me to be 3 distinct conversations. This of course leads me to believe that the Psalmist in this case is a good Wesleyan preacher being that it's a 3 point sermon. Okay, that may be a joke. Not funny I know.
The first conversation (vs 1-18) is the Psalmist basically saying, "God, You are awesome, You made me, and there is nowhere I can go to escape you." It speaks to the intimacy of how God sees us, how He knew of us before we were born and how He is so in love with us that there is nowhere we can go to escape his presence. There is so much more that could be explored in these verses, but to keep this blog at a length that you will still want to read I will simply say this. Do you feel alone? God is always with you. (vs 7-10) Do you feel like no one gets you? He does. (vs 1-4)
The second conversation is a little more raw and hits pretty close to home for me. It's almost like the Psalmist hadn't slept for a while and then penned these words. You know how when you are tired you tend to shut off the censor button in your brain and what you think you say? I don't have proof of this, but this seems to be the case here. In this raw point of the Psalm the writer tells God to just "do away" with those who slander God's name. Like in Jonah where Jonah would rather see the evil doers done away with than loving them because from our earthly perspective that just seems easier. Admittedly I have times where I feel this way. Not that I want God to kill people, but it's almost like it would be easier to wash my hands of these people who just don't seem to get this "Jesus thing" and hang out with the happy little Christians inside the walls of this building we call the church. (Which is NOT the church by the way) After this last Friday night when I was given the opportunity to participate in a ministry opportunity with BOAZ hanging out, high fiving, hugging and throwing a football with some kids in situation that they did not deserve to be in, God made it very clear to me: "THIS IS WHY WE DO NOT QUIT, WE DO NOT GIVE UP AND WE DO NOT STOP LOVING AND DO NOT GROW WEARY IN DOING WHAT IS RIGHT" To hear the laughter of these kids whom do not have much to laugh about is why we love the unlovable, give hope to the hopeless and give comfort to the hurting and this requires us to get out of our pews and into the muck of society where we may not be comfortable. "The reality is this": these kids and their families may not be comfy with it as well, but it is their life until someone shows them there is a better way and a way out and His name is JESUS.
The third conversation flows from the second.(vs 23-24) I find myself in this conversation more often than I would like to admit. Off the top of my head I call it the "Whoops" conversation or the "Did I just say that? I'm sorry" part. The Psalmist last words before this one are "I have nothing but hatred for them, I count them my enemies." It's almost like he catches himself here and says, "What am I saying?" Ever been there? Ever spout off in your anger? (justified or not) Ever say something and then realize, "That may not be the best representation of God's point of view?" Yeah me too.
The passage that I was directed to this morning as I attempted to get back to sleep (fighting God, ever been there?) was Psalm 139. It is a familiar Psalm, but I love how it is divided into what seems to me to be 3 distinct conversations. This of course leads me to believe that the Psalmist in this case is a good Wesleyan preacher being that it's a 3 point sermon. Okay, that may be a joke. Not funny I know.
The first conversation (vs 1-18) is the Psalmist basically saying, "God, You are awesome, You made me, and there is nowhere I can go to escape you." It speaks to the intimacy of how God sees us, how He knew of us before we were born and how He is so in love with us that there is nowhere we can go to escape his presence. There is so much more that could be explored in these verses, but to keep this blog at a length that you will still want to read I will simply say this. Do you feel alone? God is always with you. (vs 7-10) Do you feel like no one gets you? He does. (vs 1-4)
The second conversation is a little more raw and hits pretty close to home for me. It's almost like the Psalmist hadn't slept for a while and then penned these words. You know how when you are tired you tend to shut off the censor button in your brain and what you think you say? I don't have proof of this, but this seems to be the case here. In this raw point of the Psalm the writer tells God to just "do away" with those who slander God's name. Like in Jonah where Jonah would rather see the evil doers done away with than loving them because from our earthly perspective that just seems easier. Admittedly I have times where I feel this way. Not that I want God to kill people, but it's almost like it would be easier to wash my hands of these people who just don't seem to get this "Jesus thing" and hang out with the happy little Christians inside the walls of this building we call the church. (Which is NOT the church by the way) After this last Friday night when I was given the opportunity to participate in a ministry opportunity with BOAZ hanging out, high fiving, hugging and throwing a football with some kids in situation that they did not deserve to be in, God made it very clear to me: "THIS IS WHY WE DO NOT QUIT, WE DO NOT GIVE UP AND WE DO NOT STOP LOVING AND DO NOT GROW WEARY IN DOING WHAT IS RIGHT" To hear the laughter of these kids whom do not have much to laugh about is why we love the unlovable, give hope to the hopeless and give comfort to the hurting and this requires us to get out of our pews and into the muck of society where we may not be comfortable. "The reality is this": these kids and their families may not be comfy with it as well, but it is their life until someone shows them there is a better way and a way out and His name is JESUS.
The third conversation flows from the second.(vs 23-24) I find myself in this conversation more often than I would like to admit. Off the top of my head I call it the "Whoops" conversation or the "Did I just say that? I'm sorry" part. The Psalmist last words before this one are "I have nothing but hatred for them, I count them my enemies." It's almost like he catches himself here and says, "What am I saying?" Ever been there? Ever spout off in your anger? (justified or not) Ever say something and then realize, "That may not be the best representation of God's point of view?" Yeah me too.
"Search me O God and know my heart;
Test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way of everlasting."
I love this. The first conversation says, You know me, You get me and You love me.
The second conversation says, I cannot stand those who do not acknowlege You or misuse Your name Lord.
The third conversation says, I am sorry because they are Your children as well and forgive me of my wrong thinking and rotten attitude. Lead me Lord in Your ways.
I hope this connects with somebody who reads this. If you've read it all, thank you. I know it's a lot to read, but despite the creative fog I found myself in, my mind has been constantly going about "Why we do what we do or why I do what I do in all things" and this has challenged how I have been and want to be living my life. I guess it comes down to this, "Does my life show you Jesus?" If yes that is awesome. If not, time to make some changes. Simple right?
      |  Psa 139:24 |
Thursday, 30 June 2011
What's the Rush?
Twice today I have been asked if a particular incident that happened in Pennfield where an individual was caught driving 160 km per hour through a construction zone was me. Though I am sure those individuals asked it jest there is some underlying truth in this that I may or may not like about myself. Though I would not drive my lil 97 Civic at that speed often times my mind races at that pace and my lifestyle often reflects this mentality.
I don't think it's a problem to be goal oriented and wanting to get things done, but when that becomes so ingrained in our minds that we allow ourselves to skip natural steps along the way to reach these goals, this is not good. Is it possible that we miss a lot of the blessings that we could experience along the way if we just skip to the end. Being a sports nut I think of Lebron James along this train of thinking. Instead of staying put where he was and allowing his general manager to build winning pieces around him to win an NBA championship he skipped right to joining two other superstars in an attempt to build a super team and win it all. The only problem is that he ran into a team in the finals that built their team from the ground up that took many years to finally find the right combination of superstars and role players. The Mavericks did not attempt to find "the quick fix" and it ultimately paid off for them this year as they were crowned the NBA champions.
Why is it that men and women sometimes find it easier to have extra marital affairs rather than work at the relationship that they are currently in? Why is the pornography industry as popular as it is now days? What was once a stray "magazine" that boys would find under Dad's bed is now a billion dollar industry that simply requires 3 or 4 clicks of the mouse to open up a world of "stimulation". Why do microwaves exist? I know that was quite a transition, but there are so many examples of how we ignore the simple pleasures and skip to the end, the thrill, the high, the buzz or whatever you want to call it.
What joy could we add to life if we just slowed down, enjoyed the process and allowed God to teach us what we need to learn, how to love our spouse, how to smell the roses and enjoy his creation around us? When a child is born we do not tell it to get a job and find a place to live, yet this is often the pace we live at as adults. We skip over so much to get to a goal that is often temporary and we are ultimately unfulfilled without the process. The process helps us to appreciate the end result.
I will end with this illustration. While attending college in Sussex I was told of a place called "The Bluff" which apparently had a wonderful view. The first time I made the journey to go to this place I was somewhat overwhelmed with the hike that it took to get there. Often times during this walk I was tempted to quit and go back to the car, but I did not. I worked through this process and to put it lightly the end result was definitely worth it. The view was outstanding. At that moment I realized that if I quit I would have missed out on an amazing experience and if I would have been given a ride on a four wheeler or helicopter or some other type of vehicle, it would have cheapened the experience.
What area's are you rushing through to get to the end? I know of many in my life where I need to slow down and enjoy the process even though it is a difficult thing for me. "The reality is this." If the end result is this important to me, am I willing to wait and let life run it's course for the best possible version of this end result rather than a watered down, broken version of what I would like to see. A quick fix or temporary high does not have long term sustainability or ultimate satisfaction as a part of its package.
As quoted by the theologian narrating the Heinze Ketchup commercials, "Good things come to those who wait."
Blessings,
Monday, 27 June 2011
Don't Wipe Your Snot on Me!!!
That was my line to my son as I held him after a traumatic event this past weekend on Grand Manan. Keep in mind that this was my attempt to bring humour into a painful situation and I am not a callous and uncaring father despite how this sounds. I am sure that many of us (or maybe it is just me) try and use humour all be it sometimes awkward to try and ease ours and others pain, but I digress.
What had happened was that Vaughn, my niece Christen, my brother and myself were on a beach at my home this past weekend on Grand Manan and were collecting firewood to roast marsh mellows before Vaughn and I left the island. Vaughn and Christen became bored with searching for firewood and moved toward the water to collect some large stones to place around the sticks in a circle so it resembled a fire pit. While they did this, Geoff and I continued to get wood and as we were doing this we heard one of the most blood curdling screams either of us had ever heard. I looked toward the water and my son was sobbing and holding his hand in by his mid section. As the thoughts passed through my head of what he did to himself and how I was going to explain to his mother why we missed the ferry and why he was in the Grand Manan Hospital. So I David Hasselhoffed down the beach (not actually in slow motion) and swept my son up into my arms and asked him what had happened. Through his tears and runny nose he then explained to me that as he was lifting a rock for the fire pit another slipped and fell on his hand. I took his injured hand and his pinky finger was instantly black. Both my brother and I observed the swelling and his fingers and deemed that they were not broken which was a huge relief for me and probably my son as well.
For the next 5-10 minutes I did all I was able to do. I simply held my little man-child and spoke the most comforting words that I could think of to him and my brother rubbed his back and did the same. As we spoke he continued to cry and tell us how badly it hurt and all I could do was say "I know it hurts babe" and just hold him.
Isn't that sometimes how it feels with God? We put ourselves in situations where our fingers get jammed and we cause ourselves pain in life and our Heavenly Father holds us and speaks life into our situation. We say, "but God it hurts so bad" and He says I know my child and continues to hold us until the pain heals... and it will as we allow Him to do so.
But to be the striking difference is this. Although it was in jest, I said to my son, "Don't wipe your snot on my shirt" and our Heavenly Father does not say this because by placing our snot (our sin) on His son Jesus we can be set free from the sin that causes us so much pain in life. We have been given authority to not put ourselves in situations that cause us such pain. Sometimes we still do choose sin and sometimes life happens and we experience pain, but I am so grateful to know that Jesus did what He did because He loves us like He does and ultimately we can experience freedom and victory from those things that cause us such pain. Often times we are left with scars from these painful moment, but let's remember that Scars remind us of a healing process and that our scars do not determine our identity or destiny. Thank You God!!
Blessings,
What had happened was that Vaughn, my niece Christen, my brother and myself were on a beach at my home this past weekend on Grand Manan and were collecting firewood to roast marsh mellows before Vaughn and I left the island. Vaughn and Christen became bored with searching for firewood and moved toward the water to collect some large stones to place around the sticks in a circle so it resembled a fire pit. While they did this, Geoff and I continued to get wood and as we were doing this we heard one of the most blood curdling screams either of us had ever heard. I looked toward the water and my son was sobbing and holding his hand in by his mid section. As the thoughts passed through my head of what he did to himself and how I was going to explain to his mother why we missed the ferry and why he was in the Grand Manan Hospital. So I David Hasselhoffed down the beach (not actually in slow motion) and swept my son up into my arms and asked him what had happened. Through his tears and runny nose he then explained to me that as he was lifting a rock for the fire pit another slipped and fell on his hand. I took his injured hand and his pinky finger was instantly black. Both my brother and I observed the swelling and his fingers and deemed that they were not broken which was a huge relief for me and probably my son as well.
For the next 5-10 minutes I did all I was able to do. I simply held my little man-child and spoke the most comforting words that I could think of to him and my brother rubbed his back and did the same. As we spoke he continued to cry and tell us how badly it hurt and all I could do was say "I know it hurts babe" and just hold him.
Isn't that sometimes how it feels with God? We put ourselves in situations where our fingers get jammed and we cause ourselves pain in life and our Heavenly Father holds us and speaks life into our situation. We say, "but God it hurts so bad" and He says I know my child and continues to hold us until the pain heals... and it will as we allow Him to do so.
But to be the striking difference is this. Although it was in jest, I said to my son, "Don't wipe your snot on my shirt" and our Heavenly Father does not say this because by placing our snot (our sin) on His son Jesus we can be set free from the sin that causes us so much pain in life. We have been given authority to not put ourselves in situations that cause us such pain. Sometimes we still do choose sin and sometimes life happens and we experience pain, but I am so grateful to know that Jesus did what He did because He loves us like He does and ultimately we can experience freedom and victory from those things that cause us such pain. Often times we are left with scars from these painful moment, but let's remember that Scars remind us of a healing process and that our scars do not determine our identity or destiny. Thank You God!!
Blessings,
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Midnight Madness!!!
So here I am at 1:00 AM listening to the annoying charming of a clock in the livingroom of the home I work in pretty much amped for this shift to be over as I am going home for the 1st time in close to a year today. After work I will pick up my pride and joy and us two men will travel to the land where the water smells of salt. For this I am pumped. To hold my nephew for the first time since he was a half hour old and squishy.... I am pumped. To see my mother and niece from Maine... I am pumped. To play something as a part of the worship band and then see my nephew get dedicated.... I am pumped.
Needless to say I have a lot to be thankful for. Yet somehow it is so easy to find the negative in life and allow myself to get thrown off with annoyances in life that really aren't that big of a deal. Scripture says to "do all things without complaining." Wow! I can honestly say I don't know if I have met anybody who can honestly admit that they follow this all the time. So what do we do about this?
Something that I read tonight spoke to how we with our talents have the ability to do things and manage our lives, jobs, homes, churches, etc... "The reality is this". We do not have the ability to even take our next breath without God's powerful grace in our lives. We convince ourselves that we can "manage" all these areas, but the truth is we actually can do nothing if God does not allow. But I ask myself the question, "Do I want to just manage my life, job, home, church, etc" or do I want to revolutionize these aspects with a supernatural strength that I fully do not understand and cannot attribute to me because it is sooooo amazing? The scary part is that if this is the case I am not in control. I know for me I feel safer when I am in control, but as demonstrated by my tendancy to complain I am ultimately unsatisfied.
What if I allowed the Holy Spirit to lead me though I wouldn't fully know what was going to happen? Could I find a reason to complain? I don't really know the answer here, but I do desire to find this place where I can be without complaint of issues that really don't matter. When all is said and done and my final breath has been drawn my prayer is that it can be said of me that I was grateful for what I had instead of being dissatisfied with what I did not. I want it to be said that in my life big things happend and I could not even tell you how it happened outside of it must have been God because it was so much greater than what my abilities could offer.
Be blessed this weekend my friends and be grateful for the blessings you've been given this day. I hear there is rain coming this weekend. It may dampen your clothes, but don't let it dampen your spirits! God has big plans for you!
Blessings
Needless to say I have a lot to be thankful for. Yet somehow it is so easy to find the negative in life and allow myself to get thrown off with annoyances in life that really aren't that big of a deal. Scripture says to "do all things without complaining." Wow! I can honestly say I don't know if I have met anybody who can honestly admit that they follow this all the time. So what do we do about this?
Something that I read tonight spoke to how we with our talents have the ability to do things and manage our lives, jobs, homes, churches, etc... "The reality is this". We do not have the ability to even take our next breath without God's powerful grace in our lives. We convince ourselves that we can "manage" all these areas, but the truth is we actually can do nothing if God does not allow. But I ask myself the question, "Do I want to just manage my life, job, home, church, etc" or do I want to revolutionize these aspects with a supernatural strength that I fully do not understand and cannot attribute to me because it is sooooo amazing? The scary part is that if this is the case I am not in control. I know for me I feel safer when I am in control, but as demonstrated by my tendancy to complain I am ultimately unsatisfied.
What if I allowed the Holy Spirit to lead me though I wouldn't fully know what was going to happen? Could I find a reason to complain? I don't really know the answer here, but I do desire to find this place where I can be without complaint of issues that really don't matter. When all is said and done and my final breath has been drawn my prayer is that it can be said of me that I was grateful for what I had instead of being dissatisfied with what I did not. I want it to be said that in my life big things happend and I could not even tell you how it happened outside of it must have been God because it was so much greater than what my abilities could offer.
Be blessed this weekend my friends and be grateful for the blessings you've been given this day. I hear there is rain coming this weekend. It may dampen your clothes, but don't let it dampen your spirits! God has big plans for you!
Blessings
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Forget About God's Will For Your Life.
I have to say right from the beginning that this is direct from another Francis Chan book that I am currently reading so if you read this and think, "Wow, Scottie is soooo smart", unfortunately I cannot take credit.
I want to start by telling a funny story that comes from a pretty intense God moment. While travelling with a group of freshmen from the college that I attended I was to preach at a local youth group that we were visiting. I had a pretty powerful opening illustration that I was prepared to wow them with from the beginning. Here was my opening line: "I just want you all to know that I got my mother pregnant before I was born..." Ummmm???? Clearly that was not what I intended to say and I am still waiting for my cut of the $10,000 from America's Funniest Videos. So if you are reading this Dave Lunn, hook a brother up. What I meant to say and eventually got out, although I am not sure anybody heard another word I said after that, was that my mother was pregnant with me before her and my dad were married. This was a big deal as she was a young lady who was striving to serve God and Satan was bombarding her with guilt and shame from all angles. Despite this God had her back. She attended a service at her local church and after the service there was a call. She stayed glued to her seat. In time the gentleman who was preaching sat and talked with her and he said to her, "Donna, do not be filled with shame and guilt because inside of you is a beautiful baby boy who is going to preach the word of God and save souls for Christ!" I am sure there were many days as I was a child where she seriously doubted this word that was spoke over her, but she held on to that for 20+ years and finally told me when I was in my 3rd year of training to be a youth pastor. So #1, if you doubt that God has a plan for your life based on mistakes you've made do not buy into that lie. Your wounds, scars, dents, mistakes, SINS do not determine your identity or your destiny. God has a plan for you. Look it up. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Now on to the Franics Chan part. Based on that story that I just told you I believe that God has some pretty significant plans for my life despite my best attempts to get in His way. I have even prayed for God to reveal those plans to me and I have been so ready to "charge hell with a squirt gun" and yet in the BIG PICTURE from my perspective I have not had those big moments when I have won the nations to Christ. I have not had a platform to preach to thousands, lead thousands in worship or do the Perry Noble, Francis Chan, Billy Graham thing. Hold steady, I am getting to the point...
"The reality is this." I have often been guilty of asking God to reveal His plans for my life in terms of what I would call BIG ministry opportunities and show me the big picture of what His calling on my life is in vocational ministry and been blind to what it is that He would have me do today. It is easy for me to say, "God tell me what you want me to do for the rest of my life and I will do it", but it is not as easy to say "show me what You want me to do today" because there is immediate responsibility with that. This became very evident to me last month as I prayed that prayer and within two minutes was approached by a gentleman looking for change. Fortunately in that moment I think I answered the call and had a great meal with a wonderful gentleman named Emerson. Yet I wonder how many times have I just walked past what God would have for me today because I am too busy praying for what God wants me to do with the rest of my life? So it is in this sense that Pastor Chan says, "forget about God's will for your life". Lord help us to see what opportunities You have for us today!!!
At the risk of being too transparent I want to end this post with this thought. Currently I am getting some Godly counselling on a weekly/bi-weekly basis and this is the thought that I have been left with both sessions that I have been a part of and I think it speaks to those of us who often ask the quesion, "God, what is Your will for my life?"
I want to start by telling a funny story that comes from a pretty intense God moment. While travelling with a group of freshmen from the college that I attended I was to preach at a local youth group that we were visiting. I had a pretty powerful opening illustration that I was prepared to wow them with from the beginning. Here was my opening line: "I just want you all to know that I got my mother pregnant before I was born..." Ummmm???? Clearly that was not what I intended to say and I am still waiting for my cut of the $10,000 from America's Funniest Videos. So if you are reading this Dave Lunn, hook a brother up. What I meant to say and eventually got out, although I am not sure anybody heard another word I said after that, was that my mother was pregnant with me before her and my dad were married. This was a big deal as she was a young lady who was striving to serve God and Satan was bombarding her with guilt and shame from all angles. Despite this God had her back. She attended a service at her local church and after the service there was a call. She stayed glued to her seat. In time the gentleman who was preaching sat and talked with her and he said to her, "Donna, do not be filled with shame and guilt because inside of you is a beautiful baby boy who is going to preach the word of God and save souls for Christ!" I am sure there were many days as I was a child where she seriously doubted this word that was spoke over her, but she held on to that for 20+ years and finally told me when I was in my 3rd year of training to be a youth pastor. So #1, if you doubt that God has a plan for your life based on mistakes you've made do not buy into that lie. Your wounds, scars, dents, mistakes, SINS do not determine your identity or your destiny. God has a plan for you. Look it up. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Now on to the Franics Chan part. Based on that story that I just told you I believe that God has some pretty significant plans for my life despite my best attempts to get in His way. I have even prayed for God to reveal those plans to me and I have been so ready to "charge hell with a squirt gun" and yet in the BIG PICTURE from my perspective I have not had those big moments when I have won the nations to Christ. I have not had a platform to preach to thousands, lead thousands in worship or do the Perry Noble, Francis Chan, Billy Graham thing. Hold steady, I am getting to the point...
"The reality is this." I have often been guilty of asking God to reveal His plans for my life in terms of what I would call BIG ministry opportunities and show me the big picture of what His calling on my life is in vocational ministry and been blind to what it is that He would have me do today. It is easy for me to say, "God tell me what you want me to do for the rest of my life and I will do it", but it is not as easy to say "show me what You want me to do today" because there is immediate responsibility with that. This became very evident to me last month as I prayed that prayer and within two minutes was approached by a gentleman looking for change. Fortunately in that moment I think I answered the call and had a great meal with a wonderful gentleman named Emerson. Yet I wonder how many times have I just walked past what God would have for me today because I am too busy praying for what God wants me to do with the rest of my life? So it is in this sense that Pastor Chan says, "forget about God's will for your life". Lord help us to see what opportunities You have for us today!!!
At the risk of being too transparent I want to end this post with this thought. Currently I am getting some Godly counselling on a weekly/bi-weekly basis and this is the thought that I have been left with both sessions that I have been a part of and I think it speaks to those of us who often ask the quesion, "God, what is Your will for my life?"
The more time I spend with Him
the better I know Him.
The better I know Him
the more I love Him.
The more I love Him
the more I trust Him.
The more I trust Him
the easier it is to do what He asks me to do...
TODAY!!!
Blessings...
Monday, 20 June 2011
My Title
I have been told a lot lately that I think too much. This I find funny, but the more I "think" about those comments it's not a "you're really booksmart" think too much. It is a "your mind races a lot and consumes you" thinks too much. Sadly, I have to agree with these comments and admit that I am not 100% sure of how to hit the pause button on my brain. Perhaps putting some thoughts back into a blog and expressing myself in this capacity may work as an outlet thus causing me to stop analyzing things I just plain old need to let go.
Now on to my title. Another thing that has been happening lately is that God has been using my words to help, challenge, or encourage others lately. This to me is very humbling because I feel very inadequate to have such a responsibility. On the other hand I get frustrated with myself and my walk with God and say I don't think I am doing enough for His Kingdom. Yet when I am used I am hesitant to accept that as I am not sure I am ready for or even want such responsibility. Ya see my pattern or circle of insanity that I go through here? And by now you may or may not be saying to me, "What does this have to do with your title?"
Glad you asked. Francis Chan is a preacher that I highly respect and during one of His messages I was listening to he was discussing the role or preachers or teachers of God's Word. The question was, "how can any of us claim to be experts on God?" Yet this is how we percieve those who teach God's word at church or on TV or the internet or what have you. He continued to discuss how it seemed riduculous to him that one piece of clay could explain to the other piece of clay about the potter. This made sense to me. How can we who are daily flawed and messing up express to others who daily fail and mess up about God and His perfect plan that He has for each of us. The "reality" is this. Outside of God's Word and God's teaching to us we cannot. This again to me is very humbling, but also very encouraging. In a world that says, "let me get my stuff together, comb my hair and clean up before I come to God" the truth is we are all messed up people in need of God's grace and love. (Romans 3;23)
So there is why my title is what it is. I like in Scripture where it speaks of God's body being as "iron sharpening iron" and the accountability in which that speaks to, but to be honest most days I don't feel sharp enough to be considered iron. The lump of clay seems to fit me just fine and perhaps someday I will move up to the iron stage. (lol) My purpose for this blog is simply this: I want to (as clay) share with others (also clay) about the Potter as he provides insight to me as well as using this means to be challenged by other lumps of clay who just want to be more like Jesus.
Now on to my title. Another thing that has been happening lately is that God has been using my words to help, challenge, or encourage others lately. This to me is very humbling because I feel very inadequate to have such a responsibility. On the other hand I get frustrated with myself and my walk with God and say I don't think I am doing enough for His Kingdom. Yet when I am used I am hesitant to accept that as I am not sure I am ready for or even want such responsibility. Ya see my pattern or circle of insanity that I go through here? And by now you may or may not be saying to me, "What does this have to do with your title?"
Glad you asked. Francis Chan is a preacher that I highly respect and during one of His messages I was listening to he was discussing the role or preachers or teachers of God's Word. The question was, "how can any of us claim to be experts on God?" Yet this is how we percieve those who teach God's word at church or on TV or the internet or what have you. He continued to discuss how it seemed riduculous to him that one piece of clay could explain to the other piece of clay about the potter. This made sense to me. How can we who are daily flawed and messing up express to others who daily fail and mess up about God and His perfect plan that He has for each of us. The "reality" is this. Outside of God's Word and God's teaching to us we cannot. This again to me is very humbling, but also very encouraging. In a world that says, "let me get my stuff together, comb my hair and clean up before I come to God" the truth is we are all messed up people in need of God's grace and love. (Romans 3;23)
So there is why my title is what it is. I like in Scripture where it speaks of God's body being as "iron sharpening iron" and the accountability in which that speaks to, but to be honest most days I don't feel sharp enough to be considered iron. The lump of clay seems to fit me just fine and perhaps someday I will move up to the iron stage. (lol) My purpose for this blog is simply this: I want to (as clay) share with others (also clay) about the Potter as he provides insight to me as well as using this means to be challenged by other lumps of clay who just want to be more like Jesus.
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