Tag: Micah

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In Christ Alone

Evidently today is Single Tasking Day, which if I practice, will make writing this blog entry a different experience for me, since I sometimes write it walking into the office, or while scanning email, or getting dressed.

But today, no, I am focused on one thing, and one thing only.

If I could just decide what it is. 🙂

As I was saying, it’s Chocolate Mint Day, er, no I mean Single Tasking Day, which reminds me of ice cream for some reason, and this verse

8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NIV)

That might be one thing to focus on while enjoy the day called Single Tasking Day?

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Career Day!

This morning I off to the school to talk with the high school students about the greatness of software development for career day.  It is going to be a fun morning, talking with them a little about their future and providing advice from a seasoned veteran.

I am been thinking about what one message I should tell them about life, outside of the software world.  My mind immediately goes here to Micah 6

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.

or to Luke 10

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

What one thing would you tell them?

 

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Remembering Dr King

It’s a day out of school, or a day off work from most of you.  I will still be heading in to the ol’ mill today to mosey up to the grindstone.  However, this day, one that at times creates a lot of controversy is one that we should take a moment or two to stop and remember.

I was reading early this weekend about a bit of controversy about a quote on the newly established King Memorial over in the capital.   It’s seems that King gave a sermon one time where he said this

“If you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice, say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.”

however, the inscription on this memorial has an abbreviated version, as follows

“I was a drum major for justice, peace, and righteousness.”

Hm, I can take it either way.  To me, memorials, with all the quotes, create an atmosphere where it seems the  honoree speaks to you from faraway when you are there.  And for the most part, from the history I have learned about this man, he was a drum major – leading a march for justice, peace and righteousness.

We all can learn a bit about how to treat others from Dr. King.  And I hope that you also remember that, well, as followers, of the Christ, we have all heard this somewhere before, and maybe we should join in the march as drum majors as well.

 

8But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously. Micah 6:8

 

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Shifting Sands

Well, this is a pretty predictable post, but it’s still a lesson that we all need to be reminded on at times.

On Sunday, the children dug a hole to China.  As we left the beach on Sunday, they had great expectations that they would continue to dig the hole on Monday morning.  Of course as we enter the beach on Monday the hole was completely filled in my the surf. How depressing.

So, two quick passing thoughts from the beach before I drift back off into a lazy morning nap.

First, a gentle reminder of the futility of building on things that will not sustain,and can be quickly washed away.

 

26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  Matthew 7:26 New International Version (NIV)

And second, an uplifting message of persistence.  You see the kiddos, just grabbed their shovels and dug another hole.  Of course we all know digging holes builds character.

8 Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
the LORD will be my light. Micah 7:8 New International Version (NIV)

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40 + 500 = more wood, less arrows

I saw this phrase on a Google article a few months ago.  It was stuck in the middle of an announcement from Google labs about a change in their direction. To describe their change they said they were”putting more wood behind fewer arrows.”  I have spent time since then trying to figure out what that really means.  I think it means something about placing more time and energy on less things, but I am still looking for someone you can fully explain this metaphor to me!

But anyway, today I will roll with it, as I roll through a very significant milestone age wise and post the Buffet’s 500th post. And today, I am thinking that I want(need) to put more wood behind fewer arrows and really really focus in on the important things in life.

As you now, there is one certain thing about birthdays – they keep coming, until they don’t.  And there is no going back – only going forward.  I sorta of sit in the middle of life today, strengthened by my past, but faced with the heavy realization that I don’t have as many days to waste as I had when I was 15.   I have referenced these few verses many times in the last few months, but they seem best to help describe the arrows that I (we) should put my(our) wood behind.  Not those of career advancement, not those of accumulation, not those of entertainment, but these.

 8But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,

   what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.  Micah 6:8 The Message (MSG)

and then this one about number our days

 12-17 Oh! Teach us to live well!
Teach us to live wisely and well!
Come back, God—how long do we have to wait?—
and treat your servants with kindness for a change.
Surprise us with love at daybreak;
then we’ll skip and dance all the day long.
Make up for the bad times with some good times;
we’ve seen enough evil to last a lifetime.
Let your servants see what you’re best at—
the ways you rule and bless your children.
And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us,
confirming the work that we do.
Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do!  Psalm 90:12 The Message (MSG)

 

It’s very similar to what my father use to say to his sports teams  – “Go out, have fun, do the right things and winning will take care of itself.”  If we focus on love, mercy and humility, those other things will take care of themselves.Those are the arrows I want to focus my self on.

So today I am putting more wood behind fewer arrows, I am numbering these days, and I am looking forward to what life as a mature person actually is.!!!!!  🙂

And as Coach Gundy says “I’m a man, I’m 40!”