Spiritual Draino?

Tonight's thought might be a little gross, a whole lot of random, but definitely honest.  It's a work in progress as I am most definitely a work in progress.  Thankfully I think we all are so I won't feel too bad about myself.

So by now you're probably asking why the nasty picture.  Well it's my illustration.  In the past I've used cute father/son tandem bike rides and others nicer images, but tonight this is the image that I feel to share about.

Let me start with this.  I AM NOT a plumber.  Not even close, but recently I had to play that role as our bathroom sink was not draining.  In the past I would get a bottle of Drano and would let it work it's magic.  During this last blockage I did not have access to the store and felt a little inspired to be manly and fix this problem without the help of my magic helper so I took the pipes under the sink off with enough faith to believe that God would give the wisdom to know how to put it all back together without extra parts. Thankfully He did.  What I found once I took things apart was a bit surprising to me though.  I'm not sure what I expected to see that was clogging the pipes, but as you can see it was not pretty.  After a number of months the piped in our sink became clogged with long hair from people bruising their hair and it fell in the sink.  Also there was stubble from me shaving and this was caked together with probably a combination of washed off make up and toothpaste and other objects that seem to have been dropped and fell in the drain.  None of this is necessarily a bad thing or intentionally destructive thing, but over time and piled on top of each other they formed a fairly solid wall and blockage for the drain of our bathroom sink that even water could not penetrate.

Here's my point:  I wonder how easy it is or how quickly we allow these "blockages" to happen in our spiritual walk?  We fill our lives.  We fill our lives with "not bad" things.  Our lives get clogged and then things pile up and we can become overwhelmed as our sink fills up and potentially overflows.  Much like my example what piles up can be not bad things in and of themselves, but is it possible that they can create a spiritual blockage of sorts?  Not to say that God can't get to us anytime, but can I have times where I feel spiritually clogged or blocked up and disconnected from God because of the things I allow to consume my time, my thoughts, my finances, my emotions, etc???

One of my favourite verses in Scripture is James 1:27.  It says this:
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself to be polluted from the world."

Hmmm? Pollutants?
We treat being busy like a badge of honour, but can it be a pollutant that creates a blockage between us and God?
Money.  Not evil in and of itself, but do we allow it to create a blockage between us and God?
Our relationships.  Good things that are blessings in our lives, but put on the pedestal that belongs to God even the most beloved people in our lives can be blockages between us and God.
Our past.  Technology.  People's opinions and the list can go on and on... What things are we allowing to be pollutants in our lives and creating those times where we know God is with us, but we just can't seem to feel in the flow with our Heavenly Father?

Let me encourage you (and me) with this.  If you're in a place where the pipe seem to be clogged spiritually and the only way you can explain your relationship with God is that there seems to be a "blockage" between you and Him, address it.  Don't let it get worse and worse.  Trust me, it will be messier in the long run as we allow more crud to get in.

Allow your praise to press in hard and push that "blockage" on it's way as God's spirit flows.  Get in God's Word even though you don't understand what you read and you always seem to be met with resistance.  STOP and make time to be quiet in God's presence to listen.  Sometimes it takes more effort and we must push through  like that magical elixir, Drano.

Then there are other times when you just need to take things apart, clean and dig the junk out and reset.

This feels like that scripture in Proverbs that speaks to "iron sharpening iron".  Step back.  Address the issue, fix it (or work the process with God and other believers) and dig it out.  Get the mess out and then put it back together.

Life can be messy.  That's OK.  I have to believe that Jesus is not afraid of the mess.  He touched the leper, played in the mud to heal the blind and laid down His life on the cross for us.  He's not overwhelmed by our messes even if they've collected for a bit and clogged some drains.  Seek Him and get things clear from the inside out today.

Thoughts on (G)loving people...

This might be a bit of a broken up, dishevelled post, but I'll be honest up front.  The title is pretty much what this is all about.  This post is simply my thoughts on an opportunity that The Joy Network (Joy Cares) of 96.5 JoyFM had today.  For a few weeks we have been promoting an event called "We Glove You 2" where many of our JoyFM listeners stepped up to donate warm items for us to give to many who are in need of the services offered at the homeless shelter and food kitchen.

We took those items today and were able to connect with many individuals and this post will simply be my highlights of the two hours we spent at this event.

1) It was cold:  First off this is definitely not a complaint.  In no way will I ever grumble about standing in the cold for two hours while we are serving those who will have to spend much more time in it than I ever will.  I will say though that being cold was a powerful reminder of the life that some have  been forced to lead and that I need not complain.  Perhaps the blunt, but honest reminder is that when I am tempted to complain I should just "shut up and serve"... perhaps?

2) I felt broken for many:  Two conversations that I had really messed me up were with a couple of men that I was blessed to stop and talk to.  You see standing across a table from people and just handing them stuff just seems incomplete to me.  I have to "connect".  You'll hear that word a lot from me moving forward.  One man collected some items, but really needed a pair of size 10 boots.  So now my mission is to find this man some size 10 winter boots.  He was so appreciative of all that we had to offer him and I told him that I would be back hopefully very soon with some boots for him.

Another man that I was able to chat with was a classic story of a many who seemingly had it all, but was distracted by habits and choices that took him off track and now is living the consequences of his choices.  His attitude was very good though as he is now looking to get to the point where he can work again and serve those around him.  This was a gentle reminder that none of us are exempt from life's trials and temptations.  I'm grateful to God for his protection... especially when that protection is from myself.

3) "I have no pants":  I won't go into the details of this story, but this was one individuals response when we asked if there was anything we could do for them.  Think about that statement for a few seconds and let the reality of it sink in.  This wrecked me as I considered it.  This is North America and yet this statement reflects someones reality.  God help us to reach out!!! I'll stop there.

4)  Last but not least is a song that one lady was singing as we were handing out items (to her and others) which was nice on a cold day where complaining again could creep in.  The power of this moment was not in her voice or even us handing out items, but in the song that she was singing near the end.  Tell me if you've heard this one:

"When peace like a river attendeth my way. 

When sorrows like sea billows roll.

Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say, 

it is well, it is well with my soul".

Need I say more?  

Coasting.

Sometimes when I write I have an idea that has been brewing in my mind for a while and I have to hit the keyboard right away or else I just might burst from holding it in.  Other times I have a single word that comes to mind and I just need to start typing and see where that word takes me.

Today the latter of these two scenario's happened as the single word "coasting" came to mind and I felt to speak to it.  Interesting.

In general, I have found that a majority of my life has been about this word.  Going with the flow.  Remaining super chill and just living by the premise that "whatever will be will be".  Although I think this not a bad thing in an of itself, but by it's nature coasting can lead to unhealthy habits.  Not stressing is good, but being so chill to the point of letting responsibility take the back seat is problematic.  I am grateful to God for providing me with a beautiful household of gals that has helped me focus this.  I still try to remain unstressed even in tough times (once had a t-shirt that said, "I'm too blessed to be stressed"), but I also must be focused in as to best provided for those the Lord has given me responsibility for.

But let's focus on this word coast/coasting.  What is it and what's the implications of coasting in life?

I found this definition of the word coast and it struck me.
Coast: verb (of a person or vehicle) to move easily without using power.

Initially I say, "Yup, that's what coasting means", but as I think on it for a second or two a few things dawn on me.

#1) to move - Life moves. It doesn't stand still so whether your a hyper control freak of a super chill go with the flow person, you have to move and adapt and adjust to life and it's "changes".

#2) move easily - We all want things easily.  Honestly it is how we are bent.  We create inventions to make things less strenuous, less time consuming and to make life easier.  Coasting is moving, but moving easily.  It makes sense that we could lean towards this type of lifestyle and how it is natural to coast.

#3) to move easily "without using power" - This is the point of this definition that really caught me today.  We move.  We try to do whatever it takes to move through life easily, but the definition says in order to do that it comes from doing it without using power.

Hmmm? This piece of the definition startled me a bit.  I've coasted a good portion of my life which has given me the wonderful opportunity to untrain myself with natural frustrating habits that I have coasted into.  As I read this definition and reflect on life I can easily make the connection that it's because I have coasted without a source of power.  Which leads to the question, "Why?"  Being relaxed and worry free is good, but seeking easy without power is not.  God's power challenges our natural.  God's power in our lives doesn't allow us to coast as it focuses me on the shortcomings that coasting misses.

How strange and sad it is that we can live life without the power source in our lives.
Scripture says in 1 Corinthians 4:20

“For the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.” 

Not just a lot of talk.  Talk is easy.  It's from us.  Not a ton of effort or challenge, but serving God, living for God and representing Him is more than just talk.  It's living by God's power which can be stretching as it's beyond us, our thoughts and our capabilities.  

So let me wrap up this way.  How are we living?  Yes it is good to not worry, but let's be careful to not coast without God's power leading us.  Let's be intentional with how we live our lives.  I guess even when I was coasting I was being intentional to not worry and let life's stresses get to me.  That being said I can be intentional to not coast and miss out on those moments when my initiative can be intentional.  Let me give you this definition of Generous that I recently heard from Pastor Andy Stanley. 

"The premeditated (planned not spontaneous), calculated (amount), designated (knowing where it's spent)  emancipation (free from bondage we create with items) of personal financial (or time, or talents, etc) assets."  

So what shall we do?  Coast and hope for the best or intentionally impact our life, this world and the lives of others with the power of Christ leading us the way.  

Hope this makes sense.  Like I said.  Sometimes I just start with a word and run with it.  Coasting.  Who knew this word could spark so much in me.  Hmmmm? 

What do you see?

Hey all,

Obligatory comment about it being too long since my last post... Blah, blah, blah..

Ok, now that I've done that here's what's on my heart.
As Alisha shared on her Facebook page last night we had a neat memory time last night that happened a bit spontaneously.  The best memories always seem to start that way.

Long and short the girls (Ash & Bri) and I were challenged by Alisha to get a flashlight and go to find a Christmas tree.  We were told that it didn't matter what we found as it was about the adventure.  So we searched in the dark with only the small light of a cell phone  as our guide.  We did find the tree and with my dull hatchet I began to claim our prize.  Ashley then carried our trophy back to the homestead and we celebrated our accomplishment.  As we took the tree into the home we discovered that this tree was not "Charlie Brown's" tree, but it was certainly close to the (just barely) big brother of Charlie Brown's tree.  So we came up with some creative ways to make this tree bigger and decorated it with trinkets and decorations that were made by Alisha's children over the years.  This primarily was because they were the only ornaments that were light enough to be held by the branches, but quickly turned into a sentimental time as the tree began to be decorated.

Simplicity became our theme of the night and I could sense God placing some thoughts on my heart as we had this beautiful evening of Christmas music, a make shift Christmas tree and reminders of what Christmas is all about.  Alisha shared that this was the favourite tree that she's ever decorated and again my heart was pricked with some neat truth that God deposited in my heart.  I then shared with the girls that, "It's not about the appearance of the tree externally, but the memories that are created around it."

You see we do this and I don't just mean at Christmas time either.  We look at the external and come to conclusions that often just aren't true.  What we see does not equate to fact all the time.  Just like this lil tree that doesn't really look like much, but is representative of a beautiful family night of memories so too there is beauty in people and situations around us that on the outside don't look like much.

This past weekend Alisha and I were blessed to receive a video message from our sponsor child Albertho and his twin brother Jean-Bertho and it absolutely moved us and made our day.  If you spend time in the community that these boys live in you would say, "Oh boy.  Not much to offer here", but meeting these boys and spending some time in their community has been a very impacting experience in our lives.  Another truth is that when you see their circumstances it would be easy to see the boys and feel sad for them, but in this video the boys were so full of love and smiles and I can tell you that this IS their reality.  My mind says, "How can this be?"  I complain about my "troubles" and these boys are so happy and full of love.  I don't know if I'll ever understand this, but all I know is that what I see with my eyes isn't always what the reality is.  Instead of sadness for what I see, I am reminded that these boys understand joy in rough circumstances way better than I do.

So, let's look at our lives.  Let's explore our circumstances.  What do we see?  Now look a little deeper.  What beauty can be found?  If you are a follower of Christ we always have hope in the darkest of circumstance and this takes me back to Christmas.  We complicate things with our stuff.  Perhaps like my beautiful wife commented last night, beauty is found in simplicity.  Jesus came.  He died. He rose again for our forgiveness.  Lord, help us zoom into this truth this Christmas season when the busyness of hectic schedules, gifts, debt, and foolish attempts to impress others with meaningless pressures we put on ourselves try to distract us.

May we keep it simple and make incredible memories with family celebrating the simple truth of Christmas this year.

Mile 3 Moments

I am not sure if the title of this post means something else or has been the name of other things, events or concepts as I have not copyrighted this, but let me explain to you what I mean when I use the term "Mile 3 Moments".

Recently I have taken up the hobby of running.  (Sort of)  Truth be told I am actually enjoying this somewhat and I have let a particular individual in my church invite me to run in a 5k race that is happening early November in Nackawic.  The really crazy part of this proposition???  I accepted!!! What is wrong with me?   Ah well, I think I will survive and truth be told at the age of half way to 70 it is probably time I took getting in/staying shape a little more seriously.

I have discovered a bit of a pattern though when I am running.  I tend to start strong and feel very good and usually as I end my run I feel good, but there is a point in the middle of the run that my body begins to crash a bit or perhaps second guess my sanity for embarking on such a venture.  Typically at this point it would be much easier to find a bench, a rock or a squirrel to sit on and call it a day as it pertains to my run.  This is what I call my "Mile 3 Moment" in each run.

It is at this point when I am faced with a choice.  Do I wrap it up and walk home or do I press on and finish my run.  I would like to say that I get this right every time and just the right song comes on and launches me to the finish line in my record time, but that isn't true.  The journey to being in shape is not an easy one for me, but I feel the most fulfilled when I do press on and finish strong even if that means I limp to the finish.  :)

Isn't this how it happens in life?  We can be cruising along feel really good about our surroundings and how things are going and then "WHAM" it feels like we are hit right between the eyes with life and it's trials and the wind is taken out of our sails.  Mile 3 tells us it would be easier to give up, (it is) complain (it is) and to quit (it is).  Truth be told what is easy isn't the most beneficial.  In the moments when my stubbornness kicks in and I continue to waddle my little legs along the trail are the moments when my run feels the most complete and most fulfilling.  I don't break any land speed records, but finishing and not quitting makes the task so rewarding and is ultimately is the most beneficial for my body I'm sure.

Let me simply encourage you with this thought and challenge:
When your "Mile 3 Moments" come, keep going.  Don't freeze and continue to put one foot in front of the other until you cross that line.  Mile 3 passes, but only if we keep moving forward and the reward is at the end of the race.  No matter what you are facing today, keep going and trust God to give you the strength to get you through.  I believe it was Winston Churchill who said, "When you are going through hell, keep going.  Don't stay where you are."


Paul says it this way, 
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."  Philippians 3:12  (emphasis mine)

Mile 3's come and go.  My choice is do I stop and let them end my journey or do I face the resistance they provide and celebrate as I grow stronger each time I pass them by. 

Press on my friends.  Press on. 

Seasons

King Solomon spoke of the seasons of life and how everything has a "time".  Life has seasons and it ebbs and flows and ultimately it is up to us if we flow with it or resist and try to swim up current.  Some have also described this as the rhythms of life.  I am not sure if you've heard a drummer, percussionist or someone with a tambourine or clapping their hands off beat, but if you have you know how distracting it can be.

I also think of the picture of someone on a canoe or kayak.  If they are paddling upstream against the current instead of paddling in the direction the water is flowing things are much more difficult.  Simple truth, but I think it illustrates a valuable life lesson.

Life has seasons.  A time for everything.  Do we flow with it or try and control things the way we feel like we need to do it ourselves?

As of late I have been enjoying some transitions of life and changing of seasons.  Having a new marriage, new home to rent, new step children has definitely shown me the value of appreciating change and going with the flow.  As a male in a new home filled with ladies, life is not the same and this is not a bad thing.

So I ask, in these transitions (personally, professionally, etc) do I "go with the flow" or do I get freaked out, out of my comfort zone and lose focus on the one who controls the seasons.  Reality is that in the transition He is there with us in it and knows what we are feeling better than we are.  Truth is that what we may have just gone through has given us experiences (good or bad) that can prepare and equip us for what is next to come so transition is not a bad thing.

As I am going through this season of transition and seeking God in it I want to briefly challenge you to join me.  Perhaps God has been taking you through a season of change or challenging you to a deeper depth with Him in some areas.  Embrace that and seek Him in those seasons of change.

Are there some relationships that you need to cut out... or pursue?
Is there a ministry that you need to join on with and become a part of to change someone's story?
How are you using your finances??? nuff said.. lol

As Solomon said, there is a time for everything and I want to ask you, "What time is it for you?"
We don't often like change or transition, but if we are going with the flow, paddling with the current or clapping on beat it can be a beautiful, uplifting thing.
Seek Him first and go for it!!!

Blessings,
Scottie

Reflections, Ponderings, Process

It seems the theme "de jour" for me as of late is process and the test dummy for this theme is yours truly.  As I have been walking this beautiful thing called life and stepping into some new adventures I've realized how easy it is too fool myself into believing that I've got it together when the reality is that I am still a lump of clay being molded just like every other human being sucking air in their lungs. 

This is not a topic that is exclusive to one area in my life, but seems to be something that I struggle with as a whole.  I go along being a nice guy and convince myself the world is a better place because of me.  I can do this in my walk with God and the titles I give myself that way.  I can do it as a dad or a husband and convince myself that my family is blessed to have me and yet my actions show that Scottie is still very much a "Scottie centric" individual. 

Yet in all of this God reminds me that I am to daily seek Him for wisdom and learning.  I have to believe that with that comes growth.  Oh goodness, I hope that with that comes growth.  LOL.
I am NOT content with being the picture boy for insanity.  (You know?  Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result?) 

As much as I have great disdain for my wife and step daughters being over an hour away from me during the week until June, I can say that perhaps there is a purpose in it.  Perhaps God needed some extra time to work this process in me and I needed some one on one teaching without the distraction of the beautiful ladies of my life.  It's all process and the question is, "Am I willing to learn?  Am I willing to be changed?"

In all areas in life I need wisdom to change, grow and be molded into the image of my Savior.  To follow Jesus as His disciple means that ultimately I am going to become more like Him.  This gives me hope.  Though I think I can be a nice guy I get what Paul was saying about, "doing what he does not want to do and not doing what he wants to do."  This tends to be my pattern as well.  I do stuff, speak hastily or get into situations that make me think, "uh oh, how did I get in this mess???"

So what's the neat and tidy conclusion for this blog post?  Um? I'm not sure, but I do know this... I am grateful for the love of my Savior and the patience and love of my friends and family as I know I am not an easy person to be around, talk to or love at times.  Grateful might be an understatement.  I might not be so patient with ole Scottie boy.  LOL.

My blog has been called "Clay Sharpening Clay" since day one and it's because I honestly don't feel strong enough most days to be called iron.  So here's my challenge and I will say that since I am putting it on the interweb for all to see, those of you who know, love and support me have the right to call me on this and see how moldable I am being during my process called life. 

My life's agenda is very simple and I want to continue to grow, learn and become more like Christ so that I may more fully achieve these goals:

1) Love/Serve God
2) Love/Serve my wife/kid/step kids
3) Love/Serve my community (local/globally)

Lord help me to be more teachable, more loving and more like you so that those around may be more blessed by You in me...
Love y'all,
Blessings!!!