I don't think I have followed my advice from my last posting. I am still as stressed, over-tired, and somewhat directionless as I was before. But today I have had the opportunity to read and listen to a couple pieces of sage advice that (hopefully) will help me move past this lifestyle of being overwhelmed.
Last night, Lindsey challenged me with the thought that perhaps I am looking at life, and all that it entails, from the wrong perspective. She may be right, but turning around when travelling too fast rarely ends the way we intend. This posting from John Eldredge is the first piece of advice of the day: http://www.ransomedheartblog.com/john/2009/06/a-quart-in-my-tank.html
Like Eldredge writes, "It is so easy, dangerously easy to get caught up in the pace of this crazy world that rest feels uncomfortable; doing nothing feels awkward; as soon as we feel even a little bit refreshed, we’re back out on the highway, blasting ahead." This may be why I make myself so busy, but more so, I think that when we aren't sure where exactly we are going, we just go faster. I guess I'm not the type of guy who asks for directions when I get lost, I just go to where I think is right faster.
A good friend sent me this sermon to listen to today, and I think it hits exactly where I may be, what to do while waiting for what God has for you next:
http://media.northpointministries.org/northpointministries/podcasts/npcc/Sunday_Sermons/The_Waiting_Room/WaitingRoom_Part2.mp3
The three points of Gratitude, Persistence in Prayer, and Surrendering our plans for His, go against my immediate gratification, get it taken care of now so I don't have to worry about it personality. But its true. No matter what I do to try to make things happen quickly or in my type of timing, it won't work. For its not our timing, but God's, and the longer it takes me to recognize that, the longer I will spin my tires in vain.
As we tell Jonathan (repeatedly) when he's waiting for his dinner... be patient... it's coming.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
deeper.
So it has been over two months since writing here. I don't feel like I have had much to say over those last two months, or maybe, I have actually had to say too much. I have been thinking alot lately about my use of time. When I am at work I have actually put myself on a "time study" to see how well my time management is (apparently I spend too much time on the computer) and at home it's either chasing around a 1 year old, planning house projects (that inevitably get delayed due to a more immediate house disaster), or working on various projects for Riverbend. Add to that list trying to nurture a relationship with my wife, keeping in touch with friends, and trying to stay healthy (and less stressed) and I don't know where to schedule all of this.
This isn't the first time I have struggled, or written, about not enough time. I spend half my time figuring out how to effectively spend my time. But where does the line between responsibility, relationships, work, and even church turn into overworked, over stressed, and missing the "easy yoke" that Jesus has promised us? There are people that say that we need to sacrifice in order to do great things. This, I believe, is true. But what are the things that are worth sacrificing? And what are the things that are actually great? I suppose that it is based on what we prioritize most.
But what happens when we super-size what our priorities are? If we say that a priority in our life is to share Jesus with others, does it actually matter if this is 2 people or 20? Perhaps we need to stop looking at what we want from a "bigger is better" perspective and move to a "deeper is better" perspective. It may be better to have a small group of friends who knows you enough to be invested in your life, than to know tons of people who think you are a nice guy. Perhaps it is better to spend your time building relationships with a couple people who may want to know more about Jesus than to find new ways to tell more people about Him.
Maybe, it might be time for me to focus on the people I can make a difference with, rather than try to make a difference with everybody.
This isn't the first time I have struggled, or written, about not enough time. I spend half my time figuring out how to effectively spend my time. But where does the line between responsibility, relationships, work, and even church turn into overworked, over stressed, and missing the "easy yoke" that Jesus has promised us? There are people that say that we need to sacrifice in order to do great things. This, I believe, is true. But what are the things that are worth sacrificing? And what are the things that are actually great? I suppose that it is based on what we prioritize most.
But what happens when we super-size what our priorities are? If we say that a priority in our life is to share Jesus with others, does it actually matter if this is 2 people or 20? Perhaps we need to stop looking at what we want from a "bigger is better" perspective and move to a "deeper is better" perspective. It may be better to have a small group of friends who knows you enough to be invested in your life, than to know tons of people who think you are a nice guy. Perhaps it is better to spend your time building relationships with a couple people who may want to know more about Jesus than to find new ways to tell more people about Him.
Maybe, it might be time for me to focus on the people I can make a difference with, rather than try to make a difference with everybody.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
soundtrack of your life.
I think everybody has some song or music that brings them back to a moment in their history. A wedding dance, a special song, sports warm up music, or just a favorite song from college. It's amazing how listening to that song will transport you back to that moment in time. It's a soundtrack to our history.
I was at a conference this past weekend at LCBC (lcbcchurch.com) and they mentioned that one of the benefits of the worship music is "it is the emotional tie to the message." They recognized that we are probably more likely to remember a song than a message and that hopefully that song points to the message.
If we had to pick a soundtrack of our life, what would that be pointing to? What is it that we remember most? Perhaps we need to listen to more music, or perhaps we need to make our lives into the emotional tie to the message we proclaim. We need to be the soundtrack to life.
I was at a conference this past weekend at LCBC (lcbcchurch.com) and they mentioned that one of the benefits of the worship music is "it is the emotional tie to the message." They recognized that we are probably more likely to remember a song than a message and that hopefully that song points to the message.
If we had to pick a soundtrack of our life, what would that be pointing to? What is it that we remember most? Perhaps we need to listen to more music, or perhaps we need to make our lives into the emotional tie to the message we proclaim. We need to be the soundtrack to life.
Friday, March 27, 2009
sleep deprivation.
As the father of a 9 month old, solid sleep is not really in my vocabulary anymore. I hear this is something that all new parents go through. I don't really like it. I am a person who really likes my sleep and its not that Jonathan is really a bad sleeper- his sleep just doesn't match with when I can sleep (after doing all the things you can't get done when he is awake). Sometimes I think of the bad nights when he gets up crying multiple times because he has a new tooth coming in, when he isn't feeling well, or even when he just decides to be up from 5 AM on and I wonder, if this was taking place in Guantanamo Bay, would I be able to file for torture charges?
The Bible says that children are to be viewed as blessing (and something to do with a quiver of arrows (Psalm 127:4-5 )) and its completely true. As I walk around with bags under my eyes, my third cup of coffee for the day (and its only 11 AM), and I am not sure how I will be able to make it through my afternoon meeting without drooling on my desk, I don't remember the screaming, the poop up to his armpits, or even the food he flung at me during dinner. I do, however, remember the smile he gives me when I come home, the head butt (his idea of a hug), and the way he peacefully (sometimes) falls asleep on my shoulder.
Some may say that forgetfulness is a sign that I may need more sleep. That may be true, but I think in this case, God is giving us all a glimpse as to how he views us. God is out to get us, but not in the negative way many often think. He is out to get us to hold us close, heal our hurts, and to see us fulfilled in Him. These are the ramblings of the sleep deprived.
The Bible says that children are to be viewed as blessing (and something to do with a quiver of arrows (Psalm 127:4-5 )) and its completely true. As I walk around with bags under my eyes, my third cup of coffee for the day (and its only 11 AM), and I am not sure how I will be able to make it through my afternoon meeting without drooling on my desk, I don't remember the screaming, the poop up to his armpits, or even the food he flung at me during dinner. I do, however, remember the smile he gives me when I come home, the head butt (his idea of a hug), and the way he peacefully (sometimes) falls asleep on my shoulder.
Some may say that forgetfulness is a sign that I may need more sleep. That may be true, but I think in this case, God is giving us all a glimpse as to how he views us. God is out to get us, but not in the negative way many often think. He is out to get us to hold us close, heal our hurts, and to see us fulfilled in Him. These are the ramblings of the sleep deprived.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
a pint for the Irish.
In honor of St. Patricks Day, I am wearing all the green I own (a track jacket and shirt- dont' worry I don't have green pants). This holiday is one of those strange days where everybody thinks that they are Irish (even if they are not) and every once in a while you will here about why St. Patrick was so special. It also makes me want a pint of Guinness.
St. Patrick wasn't the only Irish Saint, there was also this guy, Arthur Guinness. In the mid 1700's, Arthur would walk the streets of Dublin, lamenting at the drunkeness of the Irish people (apparently this stereotype didn't end there). They would be stumbling out of their whisky and gin bars and do all the things that drunk people do. In Arthur's prayers, he felt led to do something that (little did he know) would forever change Ireland and it's people. He felt that he was to make a healthy drink, that people would like, but not get drunk on. His creation was Guinness Beer. The beauty of what Arthur Guinness did was not to create a well crafted beverage, but rather he sought a way to influence a culture (and the world) for more right living, and hopefully, to be able to point them to Christ. His life reflected his faith.
Apparently he passed this faith lifestyle on to his children who were involved in sending Hudson Taylor to China, building a missionary college, and helping to fund a Chrisitan Childrens home. The story can be found at http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/4752.htm.
So today, as we celebrate the Irish (and what God has done in Ireland), let us raise a pint in thanks to God, and seek ways that we can influence the culture of the Lehigh Valley.
St. Patrick wasn't the only Irish Saint, there was also this guy, Arthur Guinness. In the mid 1700's, Arthur would walk the streets of Dublin, lamenting at the drunkeness of the Irish people (apparently this stereotype didn't end there). They would be stumbling out of their whisky and gin bars and do all the things that drunk people do. In Arthur's prayers, he felt led to do something that (little did he know) would forever change Ireland and it's people. He felt that he was to make a healthy drink, that people would like, but not get drunk on. His creation was Guinness Beer. The beauty of what Arthur Guinness did was not to create a well crafted beverage, but rather he sought a way to influence a culture (and the world) for more right living, and hopefully, to be able to point them to Christ. His life reflected his faith.
Apparently he passed this faith lifestyle on to his children who were involved in sending Hudson Taylor to China, building a missionary college, and helping to fund a Chrisitan Childrens home. The story can be found at http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/4752.htm.
So today, as we celebrate the Irish (and what God has done in Ireland), let us raise a pint in thanks to God, and seek ways that we can influence the culture of the Lehigh Valley.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)