Month: February 2012

Categories
Daily Post

Look Out for Others

It’s seems today should be twosday, especially since I wrote a $22 check this morning on 2-22.  But alas, its Wednesday, so that math fun is sort of wasted. However, today is still pretty special, not only is it Ash Wednesday, and World Thinkers Day, but it is also Inconvenience Yourself Day.

Yes, that’s right Inconvenience Yourself Day.  I hope that you choose to participate by putting yourself second and others first as you go through the day today.  Take the path that is inconvenient for you, to make it convenient for others.  If you are looking for ideas, you can check some out here at the day’s spot on the interwebs.

Be inconvenient today and impact others.

 1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” Romans 15:1-3 New International Version (NIV)

Categories
Daily Post

Producing and Consuming

One of the messages I heard this weekend was around simplicity.  Of course this is a pretty hot cultural topic these days, but even so it’s an important attribute and discipline to consider.

I am not usually a note taker, as I find that I learn better by just listening ( or maybe I am just lazy?) – but I did stop and write down this one catch phrase, as I thought it would be good to pass along to all of you guys out there.  It was a great summary of the talk, and it is a phrase that you can remember and mediate on.

Simply put

Produce more than you consume
That’s a pretty simple statement that points to huge changes in the way you think about things in life.  It could impact the way you interact with people, the way you purchase things, and what you hold first in your life.
And then, the Lord working the way he does, last night I received an email with a link to this short 60 second video which I thought was another good reminder about one aspect of living simple – and maybe the most visible – what we own.
Consider your life and think a little about how much you are producing, and how much you are consuming?

 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version (NIV)

Categories
Daily Post

Dwelling or Serving?

I was blessed this weekend to spend time with thousands of teenagers in Gatlinburg, TN at a huge conference called Winterfest.  During that time, I was able to hear a few great speakers and a lot of spiritual motivation.  Hopefully, some of those messages and ideas will be expressed over the next few weeks through this space.  However, right now, especially this morning, my body is still dealing with the awkward sleep schedule that my teenage roommates dealt me.

This morning then, here is a simple part of a fascinating Psalm.

 10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

 

Today, are who dwelling in the wrong tents?  You are you serving with this one day you have been blessed with?

Categories
Daily Post

Pressure Cooker

This morning I was reminded of the great story of the Fiery Furnace in Daniel 3. It’s a pretty amazing story of 3 young men who stand up to the threats of the king and are delivered from death by their faith and steadfastness.  The story was a great reminder to me today to stand firm in my faith and to not compromise in the face of the toughest pressure.

I find the whole story of Daniel and his buddies offer’s a whole lot of encouragement like that.  The whole book is full of stories of bold men standing up for their beliefs and maintaining their position.  It’s a good read!

But getting back on track, today you may not be threatening with a real life furnace, but you may be under pressure to compromise your faith or to give into some ridiculous temptation.  May you have the strength to answer like those three men

“we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Be Bold Today!

Categories
Daily Post

Lessons from Parenting

I mentioned early this week that the toils of having a 15 year-old son in the house is teaching me a lot about mercy, and grace, and that I would tell more about that later.  Here’s the later.  Hope it’s worth the wait! (it was a whole day!)

Any of you who are parents have experienced those days when your children take you to the edge, either through behaviors, or ( in most cases) attitudes.  I have discovered it is in those times where once you regain you right mind great opportunities for growth are to be found.  In those instances we can understand so much about our relationship with God.  Try this on.

You as a parent tell your child to do X or probably Y will happen.  He doesn’t.  Tomorrow, you tell you child to do X and remind him about Y. He doesn’t.  And the next day and the next day and the next day.  And then finally Y occurs, and your child is absolutely stunned and upset. And blames you!

I hope that sounds familiar to two of your relationships.  ( in case that is confusing, I am talking about you as a parent and you as a child of God.)

But what happens next is the most confusing and where the lesson really is.

As a parent, you love them anyway.  You offer them grace and mercy, and forgiveness, because you want them to be successful.

Sound familiar?

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8

Hm.. That probably wasn’t worth that wait, but I hope you that are parents consider how your parental relationship can teach you about how God is and that you can use that to emulate both as a child and as a parent!