Do you ever notice something you get upset about in others is usually something you do?
I was on my way to work this morning and noticed a truck who was cutting in and out of traffic and cutting people off. Have you ever noticed that if someone cuts that person off, they ride the tail of the car who cut them off? They get really upset with people who do what they do!!
I began to wonder if we paid more attention to the things that drive us crazy and try not to do those things to others what a difference that would make.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Teaching Respect - A Very Lost Art
I heard Tim Russert make a presentation today in Tulsa. His presentation was insightful in many ways. I loved how he continues to talk about his Dad so fondly. I must admit, I didn't realize he wrote a book about life lessons he learned from his Dad.
One story he told resonated with me. He told the story in the context of doing the right thing and how we are taught the importance of doing the right thing. In my opinion, he was taught the difference between right and wrong and respect for people primarily at home. Again, in my opinion, his parents respected others to instill in Tim a sense of right and wrong.
The story was from Tim's days in Catholic schools. He mentioned one of the Fathers at the school (are there more than one?) bounced him off a locker for, as Tim said, one of many reasons. Tim said he asked the Father something to the effect, what about mercy? The Father replied mercy is up to God, I am about justice. Tim commented about how different that is today. The Father or any school teacher would most likely get sued.
Interesting, isn't it??
One story he told resonated with me. He told the story in the context of doing the right thing and how we are taught the importance of doing the right thing. In my opinion, he was taught the difference between right and wrong and respect for people primarily at home. Again, in my opinion, his parents respected others to instill in Tim a sense of right and wrong.
The story was from Tim's days in Catholic schools. He mentioned one of the Fathers at the school (are there more than one?) bounced him off a locker for, as Tim said, one of many reasons. Tim said he asked the Father something to the effect, what about mercy? The Father replied mercy is up to God, I am about justice. Tim commented about how different that is today. The Father or any school teacher would most likely get sued.
Interesting, isn't it??
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Voices in the Stall
Before church services today, I stopped by the restroom. In the stall, a man was helping his 3 year old daughter finish.
"Thanks, Dad . . . thanks Big Guy"
I had a smile on my face the rest of the morning.
Tonight at church. The 3 year old is behind us before the singing began with her parents. A man had gotten her to do the Hook'em Horns. One of her parents is an OU grad and the other is an A& M grad. Hook'em Horns is not acceptable! The 3 year old figures out her parents aren't fond of the Horns and looks at the man and says "I don't belong to you!!" We laugh and she looks at all of us and says, "Don't laugh!!"
Switch gears.
In another conversation after church a young man is talking about setting a date for his marriage to his pregnant girlfriend. He mentions a court wedding. He talks about how much his girlfriend wanted a church wedding. They talked to the pastor of her church and he said they couldn't get married there because she was pregnant. (I wonder why we forget so quickly how Jesus dealt with the lady caught in the act of adultery!!)
A friend of mine was with me. We talked about how we think they can have the church wedding at Memorial. At that point, my friend continued to minister by an awesome display of speaking the truth in love. He talked about how God's plan is clearly to have the man and woman become one in marriage before the children. However, God allows us to start over each day and try to live the way He has called us to live.
"Thanks, Dad . . . thanks Big Guy"
I had a smile on my face the rest of the morning.
Tonight at church. The 3 year old is behind us before the singing began with her parents. A man had gotten her to do the Hook'em Horns. One of her parents is an OU grad and the other is an A& M grad. Hook'em Horns is not acceptable! The 3 year old figures out her parents aren't fond of the Horns and looks at the man and says "I don't belong to you!!" We laugh and she looks at all of us and says, "Don't laugh!!"
Switch gears.
In another conversation after church a young man is talking about setting a date for his marriage to his pregnant girlfriend. He mentions a court wedding. He talks about how much his girlfriend wanted a church wedding. They talked to the pastor of her church and he said they couldn't get married there because she was pregnant. (I wonder why we forget so quickly how Jesus dealt with the lady caught in the act of adultery!!)
A friend of mine was with me. We talked about how we think they can have the church wedding at Memorial. At that point, my friend continued to minister by an awesome display of speaking the truth in love. He talked about how God's plan is clearly to have the man and woman become one in marriage before the children. However, God allows us to start over each day and try to live the way He has called us to live.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Where Does God Want Me To Go?
I often wonder how you know when what seems to be an obvious decision is from God or Satan? Even if it is from Satan, doesn't Romans 8:28 still ring true? God calls us to suffer. Since he allowed Job to suffer so strongly by Satan, why do I think should be immune?
I often think about just quitting my current life, packing my bags and going to Africa. As I mentioned the other day, I have grand plans on how God could use me. I also have an ego problem. Like a lot of things in my life, I try to keep this hidden. I know. God knows.
I don't think there would be anything wrong with making an abrupt change. Would it be from God or just my worldly thinking? God knows what is going to happen in my life. When I think of God being in control, I am not one of those who believes every step is planned out in advance. I think God clearly has in mind for me to live up to the potential he created in me. I am his. I am created in his likeness. I have the ability to be like him. I am called to be like him.
I am not like him. I think I suffer from looking too far into the future. I have plans out a decade or two in the future. I don't think this is inherently wrong. I think I make it wrong because by focusing that far out, I miss the opportunities to be like him right in front of me.
As I struggle with the major questions in life, I wish I would get better at daily journey. In the book I am reading now, Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, some words rang true. God has faith in me to live up to what he created in me. I am disappointing God by not living up to his faith in me.
I often think about just quitting my current life, packing my bags and going to Africa. As I mentioned the other day, I have grand plans on how God could use me. I also have an ego problem. Like a lot of things in my life, I try to keep this hidden. I know. God knows.
I don't think there would be anything wrong with making an abrupt change. Would it be from God or just my worldly thinking? God knows what is going to happen in my life. When I think of God being in control, I am not one of those who believes every step is planned out in advance. I think God clearly has in mind for me to live up to the potential he created in me. I am his. I am created in his likeness. I have the ability to be like him. I am called to be like him.
I am not like him. I think I suffer from looking too far into the future. I have plans out a decade or two in the future. I don't think this is inherently wrong. I think I make it wrong because by focusing that far out, I miss the opportunities to be like him right in front of me.
As I struggle with the major questions in life, I wish I would get better at daily journey. In the book I am reading now, Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, some words rang true. God has faith in me to live up to what he created in me. I am disappointing God by not living up to his faith in me.
Tagged
My lovely wife, I call her Angel, tagged me so here goes.
The tag was to pick up the book nearest me and turn to page 123, go four sentences down and record the following three sentences and then give the author, name of the book and tag three others.
Page 123 was the beginning of a chapter so here is page 124
"They realized that something much bigger was going on here, involving them and the people around them and all of creation. Something involving God making peace with the world and creation being reclaimed and everything in heaven and earth being brought back into harmony with its Creator. But before all the big language and grand claims, the story of Jesus was about a Jewish man, living in a Jewish region among Jewish people, calling people back to the way of a Jewish God."
Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis
I tag my Mom, my Father-in-law and my Mother-in-law. I am also throwing down a challenge to each of you to begin blogging. You three have VERY rich lives. You change people who are privileged to be around you. Your stories are great stories of faith. SO, what do you think?
The tag was to pick up the book nearest me and turn to page 123, go four sentences down and record the following three sentences and then give the author, name of the book and tag three others.
Page 123 was the beginning of a chapter so here is page 124
"They realized that something much bigger was going on here, involving them and the people around them and all of creation. Something involving God making peace with the world and creation being reclaimed and everything in heaven and earth being brought back into harmony with its Creator. But before all the big language and grand claims, the story of Jesus was about a Jewish man, living in a Jewish region among Jewish people, calling people back to the way of a Jewish God."
Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis
I tag my Mom, my Father-in-law and my Mother-in-law. I am also throwing down a challenge to each of you to begin blogging. You three have VERY rich lives. You change people who are privileged to be around you. Your stories are great stories of faith. SO, what do you think?
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Inspiring Sadness
Today, I went to a funeral of a great young man, Adam Langford. I didn't know him personally. I was connected to him, though. One connection comes from a great friend, Clint Davis, who was able to recently spend some time with Adam in Uganda and Rwanda. Terry Rush is always commenting on how we are connected through God's wonderful family. I was connected to Adam through my family at Memorial. I was connected through Adam's brother Ben. We (Memorial) support Ben, Kim, Elijah and Baby #2.
Danna was at Quail when Adam and Ben were growing up. Danna commented on the way home that she always wished she could have spent time with Adam and Ben's parents. When they got a chance to participate in worship at Quail as teenagers, she said she questioned whether they were teenagers because of the depth of what they communicated. Danna said she wanted to spend time with their parents to understand how you raise such Godly young men.
Many connections. Many blessings. All that was part of the funeral was very emotional. We laughed some. We cried a lot. Usually, lives are impacted by someone directly. My life was impacted greatly today by a man I never had the pleasure to meet.
I have been to funerals before for people I didn't know all that well. I often wonder if what was said was really true. I know it is true to the people speaking the words, but the way they portray the individual, I wonder.
NOT TODAY!!! I don't wonder at all. I KNOW, as one speaker said, that words cannot capture Adam. Knowing Clint and hearing Ben speak before, I know that what was said about Adam was true. The best part is that it is so true that Adam will live on in how he inspired, even during the sadness!!
Ben spoke of Adam during a wonderful eulogy. He started by addressing, in Lusoga (sp?), those in Jinja, Uganda who were watching by webcast. Although I couldn't understand all of it, I understood Adam and Moses names. I WILL NEVER FORGET THOSE NAMES!!!
Ben told a story of a man in a pit. He told that story in Tulsa back in the fall when I got to hear him at U4U United 4 Uganda. I am afraid I am one of those business men who just drops off a check. I want to be more. The questions in my head are more intense after today.
The most credible reason I know what was said about Adam was true is that Ben read words that Adam had formed. The perspective from Adam's words really challenged all who heard. It challenged us to be more transformed by God. We need our hearts, our minds and our eyesight transformed. Adam challenged us to suffer with the suffering.
I am so insulated from them. I so often find excuses for why I don't change my approach to life. One of my biggest problems is that I am looking for solutions, big solutions. I want to make a big difference. I have an ego problem. I want to have people say good things about me. I care more about what people say about me rather than what God says about me. God has spoken. What you did for the least of these you did for me. WHY can I not overcome this even when I know it and admit it? I am afraid. I mentioned the questions in my mind. I want to be doing something different but I am afraid to take the steps.
Adam's words intensified the questions in my mind along with recent challenges from some books I am reading. I have struggled with Shane Claiborne's interpretation of "you will always have the poor among you". I often use this to justify that I can't fix it. Shane's take is that we are supposed to have the poor among us - we need to be rubbing elbows with them, helping them, sympathizing with them. I don't. Another from Shane. Generosity is not measured by how much you give. It is measured by how much you have left. I have much left. Guilty!!
Adam, thank you for inspiring me today through the sadness. I promise to continue to transform, to rise to your challenge. I pray for God's continued forgiveness and grace for the slowness of my transformation.
Other thoughts from today.
Clint - I love you. My heart hurts for you. I know your head is spinning. You challenge me as well. I look forward to your continued transformation as you let God lead you to answers from all the things spinning in your head.
Heather - As I said to you after discussing how Adam inspired us today, you also inspire me. You fill your space in God's world VERY well!! I love you.
Danna - You inspire me everyday!! Thank you for listening and helping me address the questions in my head. I LOVE YOU!!!
Danna was at Quail when Adam and Ben were growing up. Danna commented on the way home that she always wished she could have spent time with Adam and Ben's parents. When they got a chance to participate in worship at Quail as teenagers, she said she questioned whether they were teenagers because of the depth of what they communicated. Danna said she wanted to spend time with their parents to understand how you raise such Godly young men.
Many connections. Many blessings. All that was part of the funeral was very emotional. We laughed some. We cried a lot. Usually, lives are impacted by someone directly. My life was impacted greatly today by a man I never had the pleasure to meet.
I have been to funerals before for people I didn't know all that well. I often wonder if what was said was really true. I know it is true to the people speaking the words, but the way they portray the individual, I wonder.
NOT TODAY!!! I don't wonder at all. I KNOW, as one speaker said, that words cannot capture Adam. Knowing Clint and hearing Ben speak before, I know that what was said about Adam was true. The best part is that it is so true that Adam will live on in how he inspired, even during the sadness!!
Ben spoke of Adam during a wonderful eulogy. He started by addressing, in Lusoga (sp?), those in Jinja, Uganda who were watching by webcast. Although I couldn't understand all of it, I understood Adam and Moses names. I WILL NEVER FORGET THOSE NAMES!!!
Ben told a story of a man in a pit. He told that story in Tulsa back in the fall when I got to hear him at U4U United 4 Uganda. I am afraid I am one of those business men who just drops off a check. I want to be more. The questions in my head are more intense after today.
The most credible reason I know what was said about Adam was true is that Ben read words that Adam had formed. The perspective from Adam's words really challenged all who heard. It challenged us to be more transformed by God. We need our hearts, our minds and our eyesight transformed. Adam challenged us to suffer with the suffering.
I am so insulated from them. I so often find excuses for why I don't change my approach to life. One of my biggest problems is that I am looking for solutions, big solutions. I want to make a big difference. I have an ego problem. I want to have people say good things about me. I care more about what people say about me rather than what God says about me. God has spoken. What you did for the least of these you did for me. WHY can I not overcome this even when I know it and admit it? I am afraid. I mentioned the questions in my mind. I want to be doing something different but I am afraid to take the steps.
Adam's words intensified the questions in my mind along with recent challenges from some books I am reading. I have struggled with Shane Claiborne's interpretation of "you will always have the poor among you". I often use this to justify that I can't fix it. Shane's take is that we are supposed to have the poor among us - we need to be rubbing elbows with them, helping them, sympathizing with them. I don't. Another from Shane. Generosity is not measured by how much you give. It is measured by how much you have left. I have much left. Guilty!!
Adam, thank you for inspiring me today through the sadness. I promise to continue to transform, to rise to your challenge. I pray for God's continued forgiveness and grace for the slowness of my transformation.
Other thoughts from today.
Clint - I love you. My heart hurts for you. I know your head is spinning. You challenge me as well. I look forward to your continued transformation as you let God lead you to answers from all the things spinning in your head.
Heather - As I said to you after discussing how Adam inspired us today, you also inspire me. You fill your space in God's world VERY well!! I love you.
Danna - You inspire me everyday!! Thank you for listening and helping me address the questions in my head. I LOVE YOU!!!
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