The manchild has been making short films this summer......here's his latest.....haha
i'm out....
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
My Team
I was talking to a friend yesterday about some of the different things that God is doing in our lives. We were just celebrating with each other all of the recent wins we've experienced in our spiritual lives. The stress and anxiety of life seem to be giving way to clarity and answers in ways that we couldn't have imagined just a short time ago.
Over the course of that conversation we began to talk about all of the people around us that are looking for something.....not knowing what it is they're missing. My friend was sharing with me how they desired for churches to become more aware of working together as a team with the goal of reaching people for Christ.
Unfortunately we get caught up in the "competition" of reaching people.....but not for Christ. We want them to be on our "team." We want them to choose us above others. And if they do, it some how validates us as a "better" church, or ministry. This is a mindset and very sad approach, that sadly enough has invaded many of our churches today. We've probably all been guilty of this thinking at sometime or the other, and it is such an un-Godly way of thinking.
There are not enough churches to reach all of the people that need to be reached for Jesus. We face tremendous odds in this world that only a God like the one we serve can overcome. He wants us to go and make disciples of all nations. He wants us to serve the poor and widows. He wants us to share the story of His grace and mercy, shown through the sacrifice of His son Jesus. He wants us to love each other.
When we spend time trying to discredit other people. When we spend time trying to out-do other churches and ministries. When we focus on building our membership, and not focus on building new lives through teaching about Jesus, things will get pretty jacked up.
We wonder sometimes why the world looks at churches and thinks.....why would I want to go there? We wonder why people look at us and don't see the love and grace that we preach being practiced, and decide to look elsewhere.
We're on the same team. We should have the same goals and mission. I want people to know Jesus. I want God to use me in spite of my mistakes and flaws. He has proven to be faithful in that and I will worship him for who He is and what He has done in my life. There is no time to waste on bickering and fighting amongst ourselves when there is a world in dire need of the Savior. God is love..........let us be examples of that love in our daily lives in ALL that we do and say.
I'm out.......
Over the course of that conversation we began to talk about all of the people around us that are looking for something.....not knowing what it is they're missing. My friend was sharing with me how they desired for churches to become more aware of working together as a team with the goal of reaching people for Christ.
Unfortunately we get caught up in the "competition" of reaching people.....but not for Christ. We want them to be on our "team." We want them to choose us above others. And if they do, it some how validates us as a "better" church, or ministry. This is a mindset and very sad approach, that sadly enough has invaded many of our churches today. We've probably all been guilty of this thinking at sometime or the other, and it is such an un-Godly way of thinking.
There are not enough churches to reach all of the people that need to be reached for Jesus. We face tremendous odds in this world that only a God like the one we serve can overcome. He wants us to go and make disciples of all nations. He wants us to serve the poor and widows. He wants us to share the story of His grace and mercy, shown through the sacrifice of His son Jesus. He wants us to love each other.
When we spend time trying to discredit other people. When we spend time trying to out-do other churches and ministries. When we focus on building our membership, and not focus on building new lives through teaching about Jesus, things will get pretty jacked up.
We wonder sometimes why the world looks at churches and thinks.....why would I want to go there? We wonder why people look at us and don't see the love and grace that we preach being practiced, and decide to look elsewhere.
We're on the same team. We should have the same goals and mission. I want people to know Jesus. I want God to use me in spite of my mistakes and flaws. He has proven to be faithful in that and I will worship him for who He is and what He has done in my life. There is no time to waste on bickering and fighting amongst ourselves when there is a world in dire need of the Savior. God is love..........let us be examples of that love in our daily lives in ALL that we do and say.
I'm out.......
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Mornings
What is it about mornings? I've always considered myself to be somewhat of a morning person. There are few times that I can remember getting up and regretting having to wake up. The occasional junior high lock-in has brought morning resentment. Or, back in the coaching days, a Saturday morning after a loss was never good. But for the most part......I like the mornings.
I usually get up and walk the dog and then sit on the porch to read my paper. The last couple of weeks, the weather at 7:00am has been awesome. So peaceful.
Peace is something that has been difficult to come by over the last few months in our house. The unrest of the unknown, and the stress of unclear direction have dominated our emotions and thoughts. And then suddenly over the last 10 days God has begun to clear things up, much like the morning brings light and clarity to all that was dark.
It is so encouraging to know that His plan and His timing are perfect. It is so easy to teach that, but yet so hard to see it and understand it when you're in the middle of the night. Sometimes things aren't as they seem in the darkness.
I thank God for the light of a new day and the hope of new relationships. He is Lord and He is God........I am neither and I am thankful.
I'm out.....
I usually get up and walk the dog and then sit on the porch to read my paper. The last couple of weeks, the weather at 7:00am has been awesome. So peaceful.
Peace is something that has been difficult to come by over the last few months in our house. The unrest of the unknown, and the stress of unclear direction have dominated our emotions and thoughts. And then suddenly over the last 10 days God has begun to clear things up, much like the morning brings light and clarity to all that was dark.
It is so encouraging to know that His plan and His timing are perfect. It is so easy to teach that, but yet so hard to see it and understand it when you're in the middle of the night. Sometimes things aren't as they seem in the darkness.
I thank God for the light of a new day and the hope of new relationships. He is Lord and He is God........I am neither and I am thankful.
I'm out.....
Friday, June 20, 2008
Orchestration
Just when you think you have things figured out........bam! God's orchestration is unbelievable. The way he works in our lives......it is absolutely amazing.
Moving people in and then out. Connections, relationships, jobs, churches....everything. His plan is sovereign. No matter what we do or how hard we try.....there is no way we can imagine how things will work sometimes.
I love good music and hearing how all of the parts fit together. Melody, rhythm, vocals, instrumentation....all of it. In the same way...it's fun to watch God's plan develop, and the orchestration that takes place making sure all of the parts are in place and working. I love it.
I'm in a better place right now than I've been in sometime. It feels good and I can't wait to see what God has in store tomorrow.
I'm out.....
Moving people in and then out. Connections, relationships, jobs, churches....everything. His plan is sovereign. No matter what we do or how hard we try.....there is no way we can imagine how things will work sometimes.
I love good music and hearing how all of the parts fit together. Melody, rhythm, vocals, instrumentation....all of it. In the same way...it's fun to watch God's plan develop, and the orchestration that takes place making sure all of the parts are in place and working. I love it.
I'm in a better place right now than I've been in sometime. It feels good and I can't wait to see what God has in store tomorrow.
I'm out.....
Sunday, June 15, 2008
What a Day....
Man....today was really good. We visited a great church this morning. The people there were great and the lesson was relevant and scriptural. It just felt right....know what I mean? The music rocked, good message.....just an overall good worship experience.
Then tonight we had some of our favorite people in the world over for some God talk and prayer. I love those guys! You guys know who you are.......
I'm looking forward to this week. I feel like God is beginning to provide some clarity on the things that have been clouding up our lives over the last couple of months.
I'll be glad when it's crystal clear..........
I'm out....
Then tonight we had some of our favorite people in the world over for some God talk and prayer. I love those guys! You guys know who you are.......
I'm looking forward to this week. I feel like God is beginning to provide some clarity on the things that have been clouding up our lives over the last couple of months.
I'll be glad when it's crystal clear..........
I'm out....
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Patience
If I had to sum up the last few months in a word it would be patience. This is something I have struggled with for my entire life. I have a tough time with patience. Most of my issues are small and easily handled; like trying to understand why the kid at Taco Bell can't get my order right when I'm standing right in front of him telling him what I want........
Other patience trials are a little harder and take more time to process. Sometimes I find myself praying for God to grant me patience and asking him to please grant it now. It is just hard to wait sometimes.
Waiting for people, waiting in line, waiting for the kids to figure out how to act, waiting for God to give clarity and direction......just waiting..... patiently. Do you ever feel like the psalmist who wrote this...
Psalm 69:3 (The Message)
I'm hoarse from calling for help, Bleary-eyed from searching the sky for God
Man.....it is hard at times. But then there is this other piece of advice that shouts out from the Psalms to my heart..
Psalm 37:7
Quiet down before God, be prayerful before him. Don't bother with those who climb
the ladder, who elbow their way to the top.
Being quiet and listening to God is difficult sometimes. We ask for guidance and then work at guiding ourselves. We ask for direction and then work at creating our own map. We ask for help and then work hard to help ourselves.
All of us have been victims of those who are elbowing their way to the top and all of us have victimized others in the same way. As we go through this rough patch in our family...searching for jobs, trying to understand people, trying to understand church......we have to be quiet and listen to God.
Kingdom work is at stake. That is why we are here. That is our charge. We wrong and we are wronged. We are victims and we victimize. The ability to exercise patience and being quiet before God is a must when searching for God's direction.
After all, the grace and patience shown to us by our Father goes beyond anything we deserve. Showing that grace and patience to others goes a long way to learning God's ways and following Christ's example. Even when those we think are friends and allies turn their back as they preach grace and forgiveness.....we must continue to look for God's lessons in it all. Even when we think we know what is best........we must wait. Even when vindication and justification stand at the front of our minds.......patience.
Psalm 40:1-3
I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened. He lifted me
out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make
sure I wouldn't slip. He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our
God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning
themselves to God.
I'm out.....
Other patience trials are a little harder and take more time to process. Sometimes I find myself praying for God to grant me patience and asking him to please grant it now. It is just hard to wait sometimes.
Waiting for people, waiting in line, waiting for the kids to figure out how to act, waiting for God to give clarity and direction......just waiting..... patiently. Do you ever feel like the psalmist who wrote this...
Psalm 69:3 (The Message)
I'm hoarse from calling for help, Bleary-eyed from searching the sky for God
Man.....it is hard at times. But then there is this other piece of advice that shouts out from the Psalms to my heart..
Psalm 37:7
Quiet down before God, be prayerful before him. Don't bother with those who climb
the ladder, who elbow their way to the top.
Being quiet and listening to God is difficult sometimes. We ask for guidance and then work at guiding ourselves. We ask for direction and then work at creating our own map. We ask for help and then work hard to help ourselves.
All of us have been victims of those who are elbowing their way to the top and all of us have victimized others in the same way. As we go through this rough patch in our family...searching for jobs, trying to understand people, trying to understand church......we have to be quiet and listen to God.
Kingdom work is at stake. That is why we are here. That is our charge. We wrong and we are wronged. We are victims and we victimize. The ability to exercise patience and being quiet before God is a must when searching for God's direction.
After all, the grace and patience shown to us by our Father goes beyond anything we deserve. Showing that grace and patience to others goes a long way to learning God's ways and following Christ's example. Even when those we think are friends and allies turn their back as they preach grace and forgiveness.....we must continue to look for God's lessons in it all. Even when we think we know what is best........we must wait. Even when vindication and justification stand at the front of our minds.......patience.
Psalm 40:1-3
I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened. He lifted me
out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make
sure I wouldn't slip. He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our
God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning
themselves to God.
I'm out.....
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
The Manchild's First Public Performance
This is Beaux's first public performance ever. He was a little upset about the audio not capturing all of the feedback he was getting...haha. He's starting to be a bit of a tone freak. He did decide that he likes playing in front of people. He did good.....
I'm out....
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