Over the weekend I realized I take my faith for granted. Now I often have secretly expected that I do or have in the past. Most of do, or have, or will. Faith becomes familair, comfortable, and routinue. Yes true faith can ebb and flow like any other relationship or part of our lives, without being controversial, faith can become boring.
We meet the one, our hearts burn with desire and love, we marry, children come, the heart burning with love ebbs, the inferno becomes embers. Over time, we take people for granted, the spectacular becomes mundane. Hopefully something will reignite the old fire.
Last weekend Kelly and I met a woman who rekindle my faith. In all my life I have never heard a testimony quite like hers, she shared openly and without prodding. The testimony that rekindle my faith went like this. "There is no god." There was no room for discussion, dialogue, or debate. Simply and emphatically without any emotion she repeated herself god does not exist. You see she was taught from the time she could remember that "religion was the opiate of the masses." She was born and raised is Russia, in Russia the state teaches there is no god, she is a good Russian and listens to the state.
I/we have been blessed to live in a country and in homes that love the Lord, we were brought up that way, and we take that way for granted. I will stop. No matter how emphatically the world says god is a lie, I will not believe it. I will breathe his love and I will share his love. His love will not be tamed,or taken for granted. If we his followers don't share his love who will?
To my friend from Russia: He lived, died, was buried, on the third day he rose. I hope others tell you the same, I hope you believe them just as you believed the state.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Isolation
The more telecommunications develop, the more computer technology increases, the more online access we have, the more connected to one another we should become. Seemingly that's true. My sons both have face book accounts, I don't know the exact number, but I know their friend count is in the 200+ range. I've seen people with over 500 friends. We are more connected then ever, we have more friends than ever, and yet studies tell us we are lonelier than ever. Just guessing here, it seems the more we use technology the more disconnected from one another we become. Real relationships are displaced by online relationships. Real dialogue is replaced by brief three or four line postings on our face book pages, it's easier that way yes, but, it also come with a price. We know others less, and we are known less, even when we have 200+ friends. We are isolated.
That's not the way we were designed, we are created for community, we are cast in God's image. God exist in three persons, in community. When God created Adam, God saw that Adam was alone, and declared that it wasn't good and so God gave man woman so he would not be alone. Why is it then we are more connected in theory, but in reality we are increasingly alone? What are we so busy with that keeps us from truly feeling connected? Busier than ever before, isolated like never before, how can that be? Maybe we traded quantity for quality. We substitute two or three real relationships with hundreds of online relationships, and wonder why we are isolated.
Solitude is different from isolation. The gospels are filled with passages telling us Jesus rose early in the more to pray, or Jesus went off by himself to pray. Jesus wasn't isolated, he was in solitude, and in that solitude he continued to be with his father, alone yet in community. I think that's the model for us to follow regularly, practicing solitude, in that solitude we find we are not isolated or alone, in that solitude we commune with our creator, and in that solitude we learn. We learn that we are not alone, we learn that we are to go into others isolation and bring them the good news of Jesus Christ. In solitude isolation disappears.
That's not the way we were designed, we are created for community, we are cast in God's image. God exist in three persons, in community. When God created Adam, God saw that Adam was alone, and declared that it wasn't good and so God gave man woman so he would not be alone. Why is it then we are more connected in theory, but in reality we are increasingly alone? What are we so busy with that keeps us from truly feeling connected? Busier than ever before, isolated like never before, how can that be? Maybe we traded quantity for quality. We substitute two or three real relationships with hundreds of online relationships, and wonder why we are isolated.
Solitude is different from isolation. The gospels are filled with passages telling us Jesus rose early in the more to pray, or Jesus went off by himself to pray. Jesus wasn't isolated, he was in solitude, and in that solitude he continued to be with his father, alone yet in community. I think that's the model for us to follow regularly, practicing solitude, in that solitude we find we are not isolated or alone, in that solitude we commune with our creator, and in that solitude we learn. We learn that we are not alone, we learn that we are to go into others isolation and bring them the good news of Jesus Christ. In solitude isolation disappears.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Omni's
God is omnipresent, meaning He is everywhere, all the time, in the past and in the future. Before us, during us, and after us. He is two places at the same time or a million and two places. Doesn't matter if we can or not, He is God and He can we are man and we cannot.
So why do we try? Looking at my schedule for Thursday morning I now see I have a meeting from 6:00-7:30am, which just happens to coincide with another meeting across town, scheduled from 7:00-8:30am. I seem to have doubled booked myself. Naturally both meetings are of equal importance and of course I need to be at both of them, I must, I scheduled them. Thinking back it never crossed my mind that I was omnipresent, never even entered my mind, if I were omniscient, all knowing, it would have occurred to me. Since I am not all knowing I have this slight dilemma.
If I were omnipotent, all powerful I could easily handle this, I'd stop the sun in it's tracks, make time stand still, cover all I need to in the first meeting and then move on to the next. You may have guessed by now though, I am not omnipotent, not even close.
So here it is, I am not any of the omni's, since I am not omni anything I am giving myself permission to screw up my schedule every now and be doubled booked, I'm going further, I am going to try to stop knowing everything and acting like I do, lastly since I am not all powerful I, will try to stop fixing and being involved in everything. You can call me omni-less.
God is all powerful, all knowing, and ever present that's all I have to say on that.
All this to say, Ken I won't be at Caribou 7:00 Thursday morning.
So why do we try? Looking at my schedule for Thursday morning I now see I have a meeting from 6:00-7:30am, which just happens to coincide with another meeting across town, scheduled from 7:00-8:30am. I seem to have doubled booked myself. Naturally both meetings are of equal importance and of course I need to be at both of them, I must, I scheduled them. Thinking back it never crossed my mind that I was omnipresent, never even entered my mind, if I were omniscient, all knowing, it would have occurred to me. Since I am not all knowing I have this slight dilemma.
If I were omnipotent, all powerful I could easily handle this, I'd stop the sun in it's tracks, make time stand still, cover all I need to in the first meeting and then move on to the next. You may have guessed by now though, I am not omnipotent, not even close.
So here it is, I am not any of the omni's, since I am not omni anything I am giving myself permission to screw up my schedule every now and be doubled booked, I'm going further, I am going to try to stop knowing everything and acting like I do, lastly since I am not all powerful I, will try to stop fixing and being involved in everything. You can call me omni-less.
God is all powerful, all knowing, and ever present that's all I have to say on that.
All this to say, Ken I won't be at Caribou 7:00 Thursday morning.
Monday, October 5, 2009
When and Where
Really, for sure, this month I'll focus a little more on getting my thoughts online, I have been a little lazy in the past 34 days, okay a lot lazy. I should have done what another blogger did, simply posted a note that said "I'll be gone for month." That way I could claim that it was all part of my plan, I scheduled not blogging into my month, I meant to not blog. Another great thought after the fact, actually a good lead in for something I've been mulling over for awhile, or as a friend says "I've been chewing on this far awhile."
How many of our days are centered on when and where? Whens the next big thing and where is it. In high school we seem to live and die by the when and where. We've yet to learn so many important lessons that will eventually lead us to discover the when and where are not as important as we think. All we know is acceptance is found in the when and where. If we know the when and the where we can be there, and in being there we find acceptance. Seems we never really out grow our need for the acceptance found in when and where.
The when and where never asks two important questions, who and what. That's where the difficulty comes in. Without thinking of who and what, and focusing on when and where we expose ourselves to just about anyone and anything, and that is never wise.
Parent are aware enough to ask those four simple questions, where are you going, when will you be home, who will be there, and lastly what will you be doing? The answers to those questions may not always be entirely accurate, but they are always important.
These questions are equally important to everyone, a when and where life attitude leaves too much to chance, acceptance isn't really found there. The only things found in the when and where is loneliness that comes in being where you shouldn't be when you shouldn't be there. How many stories end with someone being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Unbridled when and where leave too much to chance.
How many of our days are centered on when and where? Whens the next big thing and where is it. In high school we seem to live and die by the when and where. We've yet to learn so many important lessons that will eventually lead us to discover the when and where are not as important as we think. All we know is acceptance is found in the when and where. If we know the when and the where we can be there, and in being there we find acceptance. Seems we never really out grow our need for the acceptance found in when and where.
The when and where never asks two important questions, who and what. That's where the difficulty comes in. Without thinking of who and what, and focusing on when and where we expose ourselves to just about anyone and anything, and that is never wise.
Parent are aware enough to ask those four simple questions, where are you going, when will you be home, who will be there, and lastly what will you be doing? The answers to those questions may not always be entirely accurate, but they are always important.
These questions are equally important to everyone, a when and where life attitude leaves too much to chance, acceptance isn't really found there. The only things found in the when and where is loneliness that comes in being where you shouldn't be when you shouldn't be there. How many stories end with someone being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Unbridled when and where leave too much to chance.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Tee Shirt
This morning I went to the gym, it’s been awhile, in the summer I try to get my exercise in outdoors so I don’t usually notice other people. I saw a fellow exerciser wearing a shirt that proclaimed:
“Wings Hockey”
“51 minutes”
“No Mercy”
“No Excuses”
Four statements all combined into one walking billboard of a tee-shirt. Oddly enough four statements can speak volumes. I’m guessing somewhere there is a hockey team named “Wings”, that this particular league plays three 17 minute periods (never knew that, always thought periods were 20 minutes). This team works very hard, takes responsibility for their actions and results; they accept those outcomes as the inevitable conclusion of hard work. They are without a doubt dedicated and committed to the pursuit of excellence. I did not speak with the individual, but the gist of the tee-shirt leads me to think that good is never going to be enough.
No mercy, this is the one I couldn’t quite grasp. It implies that regardless of the score, up a lot or up a little the team never lets up, they continue to be a team that shows no mercy, they are unable to discern when enough is enough, rather they can discern, they just choose not to ever let up. No retreat, no surrender, no regrets.
Justice says the law is the law. We practice harder, we have more talent, better coaching, and better equipment, therefore, we will run up the score. Justice is served every time punishment is meted out. Driving 75 in a 55 zone, fine is $235, next case please. Late for class, 30 minute detention. Payment is two days late, $34 fee please. Justice is black and white, the time matches the crime. Justice is rigid and alone.
Mercy is justice with compassion. Yes we are better, no we won’t take any more shots on goal, we’ll let you come to center ice unchallenged, and we’ll play our second string. Yes you were doing 75 in a 55, I’ll knock it down to 68 so the fine is less. Thirty minute detention turns into 15 minutes when mercy abounds.
Grace is unwarranted mercy. Mercy says I’ll show compassion, justice demands the letter of the law to be carried out. Grace says yes the letter of the law should be carried out, yes we can be compassionate and lower the punishment demanded by justice through mercy, but, we’re not going to. Grace is the complete and total forgiveness of our debts, even though we don’t deserve it. 2000 years ago grace came to all in the form of Jesus. Today be full of grace in all you do.
“Wings Hockey”
“51 minutes”
“No Mercy”
“No Excuses”
Four statements all combined into one walking billboard of a tee-shirt. Oddly enough four statements can speak volumes. I’m guessing somewhere there is a hockey team named “Wings”, that this particular league plays three 17 minute periods (never knew that, always thought periods were 20 minutes). This team works very hard, takes responsibility for their actions and results; they accept those outcomes as the inevitable conclusion of hard work. They are without a doubt dedicated and committed to the pursuit of excellence. I did not speak with the individual, but the gist of the tee-shirt leads me to think that good is never going to be enough.
No mercy, this is the one I couldn’t quite grasp. It implies that regardless of the score, up a lot or up a little the team never lets up, they continue to be a team that shows no mercy, they are unable to discern when enough is enough, rather they can discern, they just choose not to ever let up. No retreat, no surrender, no regrets.
Justice says the law is the law. We practice harder, we have more talent, better coaching, and better equipment, therefore, we will run up the score. Justice is served every time punishment is meted out. Driving 75 in a 55 zone, fine is $235, next case please. Late for class, 30 minute detention. Payment is two days late, $34 fee please. Justice is black and white, the time matches the crime. Justice is rigid and alone.
Mercy is justice with compassion. Yes we are better, no we won’t take any more shots on goal, we’ll let you come to center ice unchallenged, and we’ll play our second string. Yes you were doing 75 in a 55, I’ll knock it down to 68 so the fine is less. Thirty minute detention turns into 15 minutes when mercy abounds.
Grace is unwarranted mercy. Mercy says I’ll show compassion, justice demands the letter of the law to be carried out. Grace says yes the letter of the law should be carried out, yes we can be compassionate and lower the punishment demanded by justice through mercy, but, we’re not going to. Grace is the complete and total forgiveness of our debts, even though we don’t deserve it. 2000 years ago grace came to all in the form of Jesus. Today be full of grace in all you do.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Funk
Funkadelic, funkalicious, won't you take me to funky town? I'm in a funk, and I'm not feeling very funky, you could say I'm in a grand funk. The good thing is I realize I'm in it, and because I realize that, I can get out of it. Realizing it alone helps me to pull out of it. I confided my funk to a friend, and by funk I mean to say I am spiritually and emotionally covered in gunk (no attempt to be Dr. Seuss). My friend asked how long has this been going on. Normally I would have no idea, but because I journal and keep an exercise log I'm able to pinpoint when the funk hit. My funk hit three weeks ago. I went from riding 100+ miles per week to 40 miles, I went from eating healthy to eating often, I went from journaling to channel surfing.
Maybe it's been going on longer than I realize, I don't know and I don't care. I can come out of it because I now know where I am. I've been mired in it for a few weeks but have woken up enough to find the way out. The first step is simple. Be still. Ps 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. He is God and I am not. In my mind I see God smiling at me like a parent smiles at a small child who takes those first few steps, or races around the block without training wheels for the first time (wearing a helmet of course).
The second step is simpler, it's time to do something. It's time for movement.
1 Cor 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Training is regular consistent applied effort towards a predetermined goal or outcome (I made that up). My goal is to get people to realize if they know Jesus they need to do something about it, if they don't know Jesus they need to do someting about it. So now I train, I'll ride today and tomorrow, it may not be 100 miles but it will be a start. Most importantly I will be still and know, and I will focus on my goal one pedal stroke at a time.
Maybe it's been going on longer than I realize, I don't know and I don't care. I can come out of it because I now know where I am. I've been mired in it for a few weeks but have woken up enough to find the way out. The first step is simple. Be still. Ps 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. He is God and I am not. In my mind I see God smiling at me like a parent smiles at a small child who takes those first few steps, or races around the block without training wheels for the first time (wearing a helmet of course).
The second step is simpler, it's time to do something. It's time for movement.
1 Cor 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Training is regular consistent applied effort towards a predetermined goal or outcome (I made that up). My goal is to get people to realize if they know Jesus they need to do something about it, if they don't know Jesus they need to do someting about it. So now I train, I'll ride today and tomorrow, it may not be 100 miles but it will be a start. Most importantly I will be still and know, and I will focus on my goal one pedal stroke at a time.
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