doing

I feel I will spend a lifetime continually learning things about myself. I have come to the realization that I am energized by brainstorming about new goals, activities, solutions, how to make something more attractive, business ideas, etc., etc. On one level this is fabulous because I cannot recall a time of boredom, on the other, it is lame because I would prefer to be fueled by putting ideas into action rather than the mere thought. I suppose the good news is this can be learned. With discipline and organization of  thoughts I can carry more ideas into action. This idea was reinforced with my completion of Bob Goff's book Love Does. The title is wonderful; simple, yet, straight to the point. I think one thing that (especially among a generation plagued with apathy) will set Christ-followers apart from others is action. Not talking about love or speaking of ideals but demonstrating it each day in what we do.

I think people within the church speak this message often, yet it seems to fall of deaf ears. Why? I think people are tired of local churches pouring their energy into programs and cute ideas to attract a crowd. I pray we are challenged to examine scripture to see what the purpose of the church is. It's frightening that we consider a church that takes a few mission trips a year as being mission-minded.

I am not interested in people's attendance or activity in a church's weekly events. I am more encouraged by those who go above and beyond to demonstrate love to people they encounter. For those who go out of their way (often inconveniencing themselves) to show love to another. People who make themselves available, these are the ones often going unnoticed, but have tremendously influenced me and challenged me to be more like Christ. Let us move our thoughts into action and seek to get involved with those often ridiculed by others.

broken

I had a conversation with a close friend this morning. Her husband is on staff at a church so she was sharing remarks made from church members which can become frustrating at times. I find it intriguing how many people within churches (it primarily seems to be the more conservative churches) that promote life in a christian subculture. The idea that we would only listen, watch or associate with things bearing the adjective christian is far from what I believe being a follower of Jesus is centered around. When I see ministries focused on pushing morality in the direction of its own liking it makes me quite uncomfortable. Anyone, no matter how scholarly, learns to manipulate at an early age. We can all portray or pretend to be whatever we like. It doesn't take much effort to walk in a church building and impress others with knowing only contemporary christian songs, not watching anything greater than a PG rating and not saying certain words a culture has shaped to be seen as bad. Promotion of sheltering doesn't promote a gospel of grace, rather it makes us feel control and more righteous than someone else.

I pray as our faith deepens that is bears fruit, fruit that is developed by the holy spirit, not by our own efforts to follow rules or ascribe to what we feel a subculture is promoting. May we seek to be like Christ and allow him to transform us as we desire to see the world through his perspective. I close with a quote from Aaron Niequist, I couldn't agree more...

"I no longer believe that there are a few super-spiritual people that God uses to change the world, and then there are the rest of us.  This distinction is false.  There is one group of people on earth – the broken – and we all belong to it.  Even Billy Graham.  Even your hero.  Even your next door neighbor.  Even you.  Even me."

forward motion

It may sound a bit sad but I've been thinking about an old Relient K song,  Forward Motion...

I struggle with forward motion
we all struggle with forward motion
cause forward motion is harder than it sounds
well everytime I gain some ground
I gotta turn myself around again.

I feel like I relate to this song often. I dream big and enjoy developing ideas of ways to improve, create and grow but I often get discouraged and overwhelmed at the smallest bumps in the road. I feel challenged to have faith to believe that ideas can come to life when all odds are working against the goal. The interesting, and comforting truth is if the dream is part of God's vision, nothing can interfere with it being brought into fruition. I think what we should seek is what God desires and hopes for. When we become in tune with this and His work we can be sure that what we are doing will prevail even when all odds are working against us. I hope to know this truth more and more. The more I am involved with God's work, the more I can be confident that I am only an instrument, powerless, yet powerful because I am a vessel for one greater than me, greater than circumstances and obstacles that arise. It sets my sights beyond limitations and allows me to believe in the hope He has so faithfully provided each of us.

We all will struggle with forward motion when it is being fueled by measly will power or our own ideas. When it is fueled by a vision or truth of God's we won't become hopeless when an obstacle enters our journey because we are joining in His work which is fueled by His unfailing love, not our own stamina.

I am encouraged by this, and hope to spend more time seeking His desires for my life and work rather than my own. Joining in His work rather than fabricating our own is the greatest place one can be.

peacemakers vs. peacelovers

I read a book by Jim Wallis recently, God's Politics. I have been somewhat uneducated and well, just apathetic towards politics. I decided I should never cast another vote if I have no idea what I am voting for. I enjoyed Jim's book, it exposed me to new ideas and definitely led to much thinking about being a follower of Christ and where my affiliations should lie. 

One of the main ideas the book caused me to question is war. I haven't heard it discussed much but the one's ideas of war are just as much a biblical issue as the sanctity of life. I have often wondered how followers of Christ pick and choose which issues to care for or deem as more important than others. This idea of peace has been in the forefront of my mind. Christ calls us to be peacemakers. Many people today, are peacelovers but that only requires you to play the role of observer. To be a peacemaker one must get involved, take risk and actually stand up for something. Christ did not ask us to take the path of least resistance. In a political sense, I hope our nation can become one that is known for it's peacemaking. 

I am reminded of a Brave Saint Saturn song written by Reese Roper. Below are the lyrics to Blessed are the Landmines

 

Blessed are the land-mines
Stretched across the desert floor
God, bless the hands that formed them
Filled their shrapnel hearts with war
 

May You bless the companies
The goose that laid the golden egg
May they make a million more
Blowing off a million legs

Blessed are the black-tongued ravens 

Substituting fear for reason

To hate war is to hate us
If you love peace, then you must love treason

Beat your plowshares into swords
Beat your pulpits, turn your tables

Blessed are the hand-grenades
Bless the church who rattles sabers

This house, is burning
This poison still is worming
This temple, will cave in
There's nothing here worth saving

Nail the gold up to the altar
Like Ahab taunts his crew to war
Blessed are the shareholders
Lack of faith is for the poor
Hold your wallets to the sky
A temple built to sooth yourself
Blessed is the church who tries
To help you build blessed wealth
                

be at rest

I went on a retreat about a week ago. There were two questions that we were asked to ponder that have stayed with me, "what are your top five priorities?" and "do your thoughts and the way you spend your time and money reflect those priorities?" It was difficult to write these down for a few reasons: I was embarrassed, what I think about and how I spend my time and money don't reflect what I desire my priorities to be and I should have different priorities because of the faith I claim.

I believe when you claim to follow Christ your priorities should transform to reflect His priorities. While I know this in theory it's hard think this is where my commitment to Christ is truly tested. I like to plan, I desire financial security, I adore overpriced stores such as Anthropologie and I want my kids someday to feel balance and security. I worry that those things will be tossed out the window and my life will be chaotic and boring.

I don't feel I can keep priorities that reflect more of American culture's rather than of Christ's. It's hard, and feels like a sacrifice, but I think that's how it should be. I'm reminded of Romans 12:1 "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him."

So I'm working on adapting things, not just rearranging lists on papers and hoping for magical adjustments on how I suddenly start spending my time, money and where my thoughts reside. It's been simple...I've been praying more and more that the Lord would shift the desires of my heart. I've been consuming my mind with scriptures that speak truths about not worrying about tomorrow, and not storing up earthly treasures.

Honestly, I don't know how I will even begin to change this worrying person I sometimes am, but I must be confident that the Lord can transform me into a new creature. A person that may in tiny ways reflect a aglimpse of Himself to others.

friendship

I worked with a girl during the summer of 2007 that I have great admiration for. We definitely got along quickly upon meeting but I never knew if we'd stay in touch since we lived a few states apart. It's worked out that each year I have driven through her city so we've been able to catch up over the past few years. I had dinner with her last night and each time I leave her company I am amazed at how refreshed I feel. As I continued my travel I contemplated what makes her so charming to me. First, she's comfortable in her own skin. Secondly, she has a wonderful sense of humor followed by exceptional taste (this combo immediately makes a person shine). Thirdly, she ascribes for more than normality.

All these elements combined make her a special person in my world. Her presence makes me smile because I am reminded people are influencing the world in a direction that is wholesome and right. She promotes things around her that I believe Jesus did. I am grateful to have such a friend. Though I only see her a couple of times a year, I always cherish our moments together because they encourage me to be vulnerable, take risk and ascribe to higher standard.
I desire to be such a friend, one that a person feels completely comfortable with yet very challenged by.


There are friends who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24

pocket change

I actually never have pocket change. I rarely have cash because my tech savvy self uses a debit card. I am working on developing a budget and have spent time looking over many of Dave Ramsey's ideas. It has encouraged me to switch over to a cash system. I haven't made the transition yet, I suppose you could say I am mentally preparing for such an endeavor.

I recently moved from my hometown where I lived my entire life. I left the home I spent my memoriable teenage years and my two wonderful parents. It's hard to leave things so familiar, comfortable, nurturing and understanding. I feel this new season away will teach me many things such as budgeting, and other things designed for functioning households, but I don't feel regret for remaining at home as long I did. Reflecting on it today, I am already grateful for each conversation I had with my parents. Late evening chats with Mom on the couch, and Saturday morning cups of coffee spent with Dad. They were precious times where we challenged one another, sorted one another's jumbled thoughts, discussed difficult issues, shared things we were learning, vented frustrations, built one another up and reminded one another of who we are.

I am grateful for my parents creating an environment that allowed me and my siblings to know our home was a small city of refuge. Being on my own, though it's overwhelming at times, I feel equipped to establish my own home because of my foundation. I am thankful for that nourishment, and find myself only willing to accept it so I can share and create a similar environment those I encounter lacking such love and support.

"I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is." Ephesians 3:16-17