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!!!
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Advice to Brandon
Brandon came over last night after he got back from Christmas in Nebraska. He was REALLY wound up!! He was talking up a storm and laughing - oh I love his laugh!!!
Brandon loved his gift cards which provide two very important things for him - gas for his car and food for his belly!! He was especially excited that he could eat at places other than Bueno. Not that Bueno is bad but he likes a little variety. Bueno is good but most importantly - CHEAP!!!
I told Brandon that later in life when he is married, I hope his wife gets a Christmas present like Danna got this year. Brandon asked "Gas logs?????".
I told him about my office Christmas party. Not long after we got there, I was introducing Danna to one of our managers whom she had not met before. Alisha had just recently returned from her honeymoon. Alisha told Danna it was very nice to meet her. She then told Danna that I talk about her a lot at the office. Then came the Christmas present. Alisha told Danna "He loves you so much!!"
I do hope and pray that Brandon is able to give presents like this to his wife. Even though teenagers don't often listen, you know they hear. Often, things stick in their brains and you don't even know it. We talk often about God and what he is doing in our lives. I pray that Brandon gives the same kind of present to God that I am praying for him to give to his future wife.
Brandon loved his gift cards which provide two very important things for him - gas for his car and food for his belly!! He was especially excited that he could eat at places other than Bueno. Not that Bueno is bad but he likes a little variety. Bueno is good but most importantly - CHEAP!!!
I told Brandon that later in life when he is married, I hope his wife gets a Christmas present like Danna got this year. Brandon asked "Gas logs?????".
I told him about my office Christmas party. Not long after we got there, I was introducing Danna to one of our managers whom she had not met before. Alisha had just recently returned from her honeymoon. Alisha told Danna it was very nice to meet her. She then told Danna that I talk about her a lot at the office. Then came the Christmas present. Alisha told Danna "He loves you so much!!"
I do hope and pray that Brandon is able to give presents like this to his wife. Even though teenagers don't often listen, you know they hear. Often, things stick in their brains and you don't even know it. We talk often about God and what he is doing in our lives. I pray that Brandon gives the same kind of present to God that I am praying for him to give to his future wife.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Early Christmas Present
I had a rough conversation with B on Thursday. He told me at the end of the conversation that he wasn't going to go to dinner with us on Friday, as planned. He uses his lack of presence as a means to punish me.
On Friday while Danna and I were playing golf, Nan called and said a lady came by See's. Nan asked if she could help her. The lady said no but mentioned that one of her employees from the store at the mall said his grandparents were working so she just stopped to say hello.
It made Nan's day. I could tell she was just beaming even though I was only on the phone.
I called Brandon and left him a message telling him how much it meant to Nan and Don and that I was very proud of him.
He did meet us for dinner.
On Friday while Danna and I were playing golf, Nan called and said a lady came by See's. Nan asked if she could help her. The lady said no but mentioned that one of her employees from the store at the mall said his grandparents were working so she just stopped to say hello.
It made Nan's day. I could tell she was just beaming even though I was only on the phone.
I called Brandon and left him a message telling him how much it meant to Nan and Don and that I was very proud of him.
He did meet us for dinner.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Money, Muslims and Christians
I recently participated in several conversations about a Muslim man who made a generous gift to an organization with Christian goals and ideals.
One of several comments made was how in years past, a gift like this would have been refused by many (most?) Christian religious organizations. I see this position as ludicrous!! When we talk about our money not being ours but God's, I guess that doesn't apply to other people's money? It seems to me we are refusing God's money!!
What if someone won the lottery or made money from a "gentleman's club" or whatever and wanted to give that money to church? Why would any church refuse it? I know there would be plenty of talk if they did!!! In my opinion, if we refuse that type of a gift, we are in effect saying that our money is more holy than others. Even though God loves them, it is OK if we don't.
Another comment that really caused me to think was that Muslims want to change the world. They are all committed to eliminating the infidel. I really don't believe that.
Many non-Christians believe all Christians are the same - they want to change the world. I KNOW that is not true. It struck me that it is sad that we are not the same in that we are not always trying to make a difference in this world in the name of Jesus.
I guess I am sad that all Christians are not what we ought to be (especially me!!). I am thankful that God is patient. I wonder if I talk about God's patience when he is really disgusted with me?
I am grateful that not all Muslims are committed to destroying anyone they refer to as infidels. I am grateful there are different kinds of Muslims at the same time I know there shouldn't be different kinds of Christians.
I pray that I will be more bold and all Christians will be more bold in speaking and showing Jesus. I pray our love of others, including Muslims, will be so evident that they will have to find out why we are able to love that way - that they will find Jesus through us.
One of several comments made was how in years past, a gift like this would have been refused by many (most?) Christian religious organizations. I see this position as ludicrous!! When we talk about our money not being ours but God's, I guess that doesn't apply to other people's money? It seems to me we are refusing God's money!!
What if someone won the lottery or made money from a "gentleman's club" or whatever and wanted to give that money to church? Why would any church refuse it? I know there would be plenty of talk if they did!!! In my opinion, if we refuse that type of a gift, we are in effect saying that our money is more holy than others. Even though God loves them, it is OK if we don't.
Another comment that really caused me to think was that Muslims want to change the world. They are all committed to eliminating the infidel. I really don't believe that.
Many non-Christians believe all Christians are the same - they want to change the world. I KNOW that is not true. It struck me that it is sad that we are not the same in that we are not always trying to make a difference in this world in the name of Jesus.
I guess I am sad that all Christians are not what we ought to be (especially me!!). I am thankful that God is patient. I wonder if I talk about God's patience when he is really disgusted with me?
I am grateful that not all Muslims are committed to destroying anyone they refer to as infidels. I am grateful there are different kinds of Muslims at the same time I know there shouldn't be different kinds of Christians.
I pray that I will be more bold and all Christians will be more bold in speaking and showing Jesus. I pray our love of others, including Muslims, will be so evident that they will have to find out why we are able to love that way - that they will find Jesus through us.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
I Listened - Well, at least once.
After church today, I saw a lady who had just buried her Mom right before Thanksgiving.
As I walked past her while she was talking to a couple, I noticed her eyes first and how tired and hurt they looked. Her eyes were surrounded by a face that was waving the white flag.
I stopped, turned around and went back. I didn't say anything as I walked up and intruded in the little group of three that were talking. I just gave her a hug. As I started to hug her, she said "Thank you, I needed that." I just kept hugging her. As I could sense her starting to tear up, I teared up as well. I finally looked at her and said just a few words. I told her I was sorry.
I was taught by many people after my Dad died that no one has the words to say. We often don't approach someone for fear we will say the wrong thing. Sometimes, when we do approach them, we walk away wondering why we said something so stupid.
Communication is so much more than words. Why do we so often insist on using them?
As I walked past her while she was talking to a couple, I noticed her eyes first and how tired and hurt they looked. Her eyes were surrounded by a face that was waving the white flag.
I stopped, turned around and went back. I didn't say anything as I walked up and intruded in the little group of three that were talking. I just gave her a hug. As I started to hug her, she said "Thank you, I needed that." I just kept hugging her. As I could sense her starting to tear up, I teared up as well. I finally looked at her and said just a few words. I told her I was sorry.
I was taught by many people after my Dad died that no one has the words to say. We often don't approach someone for fear we will say the wrong thing. Sometimes, when we do approach them, we walk away wondering why we said something so stupid.
Communication is so much more than words. Why do we so often insist on using them?
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Is Listening Different Than Hearing?
I find us very interesting. We can be apart from each other for long periods of time and go on as if time stood still when we are good friends. What allows people to become good friends? Sometimes we say that opposites attract. Sometimes we talk about what we have in common. Which is correct? Are they both correct?
What causes people who have developed a close friendship to lose what they developed? From my point of view, it has a lot to do with the ears. I believe our sense of hearing has been incredibly dulled. We have noise going on around us all the time. We have televisions with so many channels we can surf endlessly and still not find "something to watch". We won't turn it off just to sit in silence. We have radios in our cars. Mine has the satellite radio so that, just like my TV, I can surf endlessly and still get frustrated that I have "nothing to listen to".
We don't listen to our friends. We barely even hear them because we are thinking of the next thing we are going to say. We don't really listen to what they say because we don't really hear the clues they are giving that they are hurting.
We don't listen to ourselves when we know we are bothered by something we need to discuss with them. Our silence causes us to begin to resent them in a small way. If we do finally say something, it is often at a time when we have "had enough" and we explode. Explosions, even controlled explosions, are messy. Explosions can eat away at our friendships. If we don't eventually decide to say something, we just grow distant. You can't love someone from a distance.
It seems to me that my relationship with God is lacking because I don't listen to him. When I hear him, I don't do what he wants me to do. Hearing and listening are two different things to me. The other day I passed a car which had its flashers on and was sitting in one lane of the two going in the direction I was going. There were a few people sitting in the car. They looked like kids, definitley not adults. No one was in the drivers seat. I thought I should stop and help push the car. As I kept driving, I thought that I might scare them if I stopped. (You know I can be very intimidating!) I kept driving, wondering. As I got about a 1/2 mile down the road, I saw an older gentleman running back toward the car with a gas can which he had obviously filled up at the station nearby. I thought I should turn around and give him a ride back to the car. Again, I just kept driving and thinking that he would be back there before I could turn around, get back to him, pick him up and take him back to the car. I heard God telling me to help others. As I often do, I didn't listen.
I wonder why God is so patient with me??
What causes people who have developed a close friendship to lose what they developed? From my point of view, it has a lot to do with the ears. I believe our sense of hearing has been incredibly dulled. We have noise going on around us all the time. We have televisions with so many channels we can surf endlessly and still not find "something to watch". We won't turn it off just to sit in silence. We have radios in our cars. Mine has the satellite radio so that, just like my TV, I can surf endlessly and still get frustrated that I have "nothing to listen to".
We don't listen to our friends. We barely even hear them because we are thinking of the next thing we are going to say. We don't really listen to what they say because we don't really hear the clues they are giving that they are hurting.
We don't listen to ourselves when we know we are bothered by something we need to discuss with them. Our silence causes us to begin to resent them in a small way. If we do finally say something, it is often at a time when we have "had enough" and we explode. Explosions, even controlled explosions, are messy. Explosions can eat away at our friendships. If we don't eventually decide to say something, we just grow distant. You can't love someone from a distance.
It seems to me that my relationship with God is lacking because I don't listen to him. When I hear him, I don't do what he wants me to do. Hearing and listening are two different things to me. The other day I passed a car which had its flashers on and was sitting in one lane of the two going in the direction I was going. There were a few people sitting in the car. They looked like kids, definitley not adults. No one was in the drivers seat. I thought I should stop and help push the car. As I kept driving, I thought that I might scare them if I stopped. (You know I can be very intimidating!) I kept driving, wondering. As I got about a 1/2 mile down the road, I saw an older gentleman running back toward the car with a gas can which he had obviously filled up at the station nearby. I thought I should turn around and give him a ride back to the car. Again, I just kept driving and thinking that he would be back there before I could turn around, get back to him, pick him up and take him back to the car. I heard God telling me to help others. As I often do, I didn't listen.
I wonder why God is so patient with me??
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Wasted Energy
Is it ever inappropriate to study the Bible?
I say . . .
YES
I know that I have to explain.
Do you ever wonder how much time is wasted in trying to convince other people, through scripture, who profess to be Christians as well, that their position is wrong?
What if we all "took captive" the thoughts of trying to change somone else's interpretation and speak about Jesus? What kind of difference would it make in that relationship?
What kind of difference would it make to the world who does not know Jesus?
Are the lost not worth us swallowing our pride, admitting we don't have all the answers and trying to show them Jesus?
I say . . .
YES
I know that I have to explain.
Do you ever wonder how much time is wasted in trying to convince other people, through scripture, who profess to be Christians as well, that their position is wrong?
What if we all "took captive" the thoughts of trying to change somone else's interpretation and speak about Jesus? What kind of difference would it make in that relationship?
What kind of difference would it make to the world who does not know Jesus?
Are the lost not worth us swallowing our pride, admitting we don't have all the answers and trying to show them Jesus?
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Saturday, January 07, 2006
About a year ago, I had a former co-worker request that I take them off the daily quote list. The reason is that the person said they did not believe in God. They wanted to make sure we would still be friends.
I said that of course we would still be friends. Now, a year later, we are cow-workers again. I started this week at my new job. I started sending the daily quote out to everyone in my new office. I waited till the afternoon to see if I would receive an email asking to be taken off the list. I didn't. I did not receive a visit to my office.
I wanted to make sure I had not offended. I went to their office and said that I had sent an email to the whole office. The response - "I know". I started to stammer that I wanted to make sure everything was OK. The response - "You are being squirrelly!"
I asked many of you to pray a year ago when the "take me off" request first happened. I prayed - but soon quit, I am ashamed to admit. I am praying again. God has stirred. Please pray as well.
Why do I give up so easily on Him?
I said that of course we would still be friends. Now, a year later, we are cow-workers again. I started this week at my new job. I started sending the daily quote out to everyone in my new office. I waited till the afternoon to see if I would receive an email asking to be taken off the list. I didn't. I did not receive a visit to my office.
I wanted to make sure I had not offended. I went to their office and said that I had sent an email to the whole office. The response - "I know". I started to stammer that I wanted to make sure everything was OK. The response - "You are being squirrelly!"
I asked many of you to pray a year ago when the "take me off" request first happened. I prayed - but soon quit, I am ashamed to admit. I am praying again. God has stirred. Please pray as well.
Why do I give up so easily on Him?
Friday, December 23, 2005
Monday, December 19, 2005
Special People
I had a great time this morning with one of those people who is so talented and so real that he intimidates me!! He gives me no reason to be intimidated but I still am!
Jason is in the middle of something I think God is going to take a hold of and explode. Explode in a wonderfully fantastic way. I don't think we ever have a grasp on what God is capable of doing if we just trust him and try not to control him.
Jason is inspiring me to pay attention to the spiritual gifts I have been given. I have a desire to be more. When I match that desire with where I have been gifted, it has unbelievable potential. Please pray that I will stay in the wave without trying to control the direction!
Jason is in the middle of something I think God is going to take a hold of and explode. Explode in a wonderfully fantastic way. I don't think we ever have a grasp on what God is capable of doing if we just trust him and try not to control him.
Jason is inspiring me to pay attention to the spiritual gifts I have been given. I have a desire to be more. When I match that desire with where I have been gifted, it has unbelievable potential. Please pray that I will stay in the wave without trying to control the direction!
Funny Odd But Funny HaHa
We received Christmas cards/letters from my Mom and my Brother/Sister-in-law/Nephews. In each card was a family picture. Does it seem odd since we all took the pictures together here in Tulsa at Thanksgiving? It seems odd to us!! We laughed!!
As we were laughing, we realized we also sent a picture when we sent our cards to each of them!!
Are we odd or funny?!?!
As we were laughing, we realized we also sent a picture when we sent our cards to each of them!!
Are we odd or funny?!?!
Friday, November 11, 2005
Age of Accountability . . . What Does That Mean?
Isaiah 7:13-17
13 Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 15 He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. 16 But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. 17 The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria."
I read this passage this morning. I was surprised by verse 15. I have always thought of Jesus as fully man and fully God. I am not sure, but I might need to change that thinking after really looking at this verse. By the way, I know I have read this verse before. I put a question mark in the margin of my Bible but I don't think I thought about the verse like I thought about it this morning.
I never thought about Jesus as an infant not knowing enough to choose between right and wrong. When I think of God, I think of omniscience. My brain can't understand an infant being fully man and fully God and not knowing enough to choose between right and wrong.
This verse also made me think of the phrase I heard a lot earlier in my life - the age of accountability. No one ever had a good definition of what that meant. Based on a quick online search of the NIV for the word "accountability", it is not there.
If it relates to knowing enough to be able to reject wrong, think about how young little people are when they look at you after you have said "NO" and they smirk and do it anyway. We all know they know what the difference between right and wrong. I doubt anybody who has ever heard discussion about the age of accountability would ever say it occurs at this early stage of life. Should we change our thinking? If we did, what would it do to your thoughts about baptism?
My head is spinning right now so it is a good time to quit typing!
13 Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 15 He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. 16 But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. 17 The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria."
I read this passage this morning. I was surprised by verse 15. I have always thought of Jesus as fully man and fully God. I am not sure, but I might need to change that thinking after really looking at this verse. By the way, I know I have read this verse before. I put a question mark in the margin of my Bible but I don't think I thought about the verse like I thought about it this morning.
I never thought about Jesus as an infant not knowing enough to choose between right and wrong. When I think of God, I think of omniscience. My brain can't understand an infant being fully man and fully God and not knowing enough to choose between right and wrong.
This verse also made me think of the phrase I heard a lot earlier in my life - the age of accountability. No one ever had a good definition of what that meant. Based on a quick online search of the NIV for the word "accountability", it is not there.
If it relates to knowing enough to be able to reject wrong, think about how young little people are when they look at you after you have said "NO" and they smirk and do it anyway. We all know they know what the difference between right and wrong. I doubt anybody who has ever heard discussion about the age of accountability would ever say it occurs at this early stage of life. Should we change our thinking? If we did, what would it do to your thoughts about baptism?
My head is spinning right now so it is a good time to quit typing!
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Hodge Podge
Amos 5
18 Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD ? That day will be darkness, not light.
19 It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him.
20 Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light—pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?
21 "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
25 "Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the desert, O house of Israel?
26 You have lifted up the shrine of your king, the pedestal of your idols, the star of your god which you made for yourselves.
That convicts me! It makes me look at my life and what I do that is so foreign to God. I place such importance on assembling for "worship" and forget that my life is to be a worship and the assembling is a time to build others up, worship and be built up to go out and make a difference.
Isaiah 5
26 He lifts up a banner for the distant nations, he whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Here they come, swiftly and speedily!
27 Not one of them grows tired or stumbles, not one slumbers or sleeps; not a belt is loosened at the waist, not a sandal thong is broken.
28 Their arrows are sharp, all their bows are strung; their horses' hoofs seem like flint, their chariot wheels like a whirlwind.
29 Their roar is like that of the lion, they roar like young lions; they growl as they seize their prey and carry it off with no one to rescue.
30 In that day they will roar over it like the roaring of the sea. And if one looks at the land, he will see darkness and distress; even the light will be darkened by the clouds.
I can just imagine God whistling calling these destructive forces to dinner!!! The banner, in my mind, would read "Come and Get It!!!" Thankfully, God provided for us a way to avoid being dinner.
Isaiah 1
18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;
20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Talk about intimidating - actually trying to reason with God!! Yet, this week I said that when I get to heaven, I will ask God about why he made man if he knew before creating him that he would have to send Jesus.
How do I stay confident about my salvation through Jesus yet not arrogant resulting in me becoming a dinner morsel?
18 Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD ? That day will be darkness, not light.
19 It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him.
20 Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light—pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?
21 "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
25 "Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the desert, O house of Israel?
26 You have lifted up the shrine of your king, the pedestal of your idols, the star of your god which you made for yourselves.
That convicts me! It makes me look at my life and what I do that is so foreign to God. I place such importance on assembling for "worship" and forget that my life is to be a worship and the assembling is a time to build others up, worship and be built up to go out and make a difference.
Isaiah 5
26 He lifts up a banner for the distant nations, he whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Here they come, swiftly and speedily!
27 Not one of them grows tired or stumbles, not one slumbers or sleeps; not a belt is loosened at the waist, not a sandal thong is broken.
28 Their arrows are sharp, all their bows are strung; their horses' hoofs seem like flint, their chariot wheels like a whirlwind.
29 Their roar is like that of the lion, they roar like young lions; they growl as they seize their prey and carry it off with no one to rescue.
30 In that day they will roar over it like the roaring of the sea. And if one looks at the land, he will see darkness and distress; even the light will be darkened by the clouds.
I can just imagine God whistling calling these destructive forces to dinner!!! The banner, in my mind, would read "Come and Get It!!!" Thankfully, God provided for us a way to avoid being dinner.
Isaiah 1
18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;
20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Talk about intimidating - actually trying to reason with God!! Yet, this week I said that when I get to heaven, I will ask God about why he made man if he knew before creating him that he would have to send Jesus.
How do I stay confident about my salvation through Jesus yet not arrogant resulting in me becoming a dinner morsel?
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