Author: Jason

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So Much To Do, So Little Time

There’s a children book called Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. This book has been made into a cartoon, that my guys used to watch when they were little.  I am sure Amy still shows it in the classroom.  Anyway, in the beginning of the story, the parents are going around the house singing a song that goes something like “Some much to do, so little time in the morning…”  Amy and I still sing that a lot as we bustle around in the morning trying to get “stuff” done.

And that’s especially me this morning.  Between coaxing a teenager to get ready for school, watering the garden, running, picking tomatoes, showering, ironing clothes, reading email, paying bills, and talking Fantasy football with Andrew I am plum give out and its not even 9 am! Phew.

I am sure y’all have days like this as well, and these are days when this stuff can crush our spirit.  I have already caught myself this morning, feeling this self induced anxiety coming over me, and knowing that whoever crosses my path better watch out.  That’s not good. It’s day’s like this we need to remember things like this:

10 “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 (New International Version)

He’s in control, and he’s the one that we can can find peace in.  So if you find yourselves like me today – just a little frazzled.  Be still for a few moments, focus on Him and see what a difference it makes.

I know, I feel better and ready to head off for a day of cubical warfare!

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It’s Here!

Yesterday Microsoft released Halo:Reach, the latest in it’s Halo series of games for the XBox.  Of course with two boys (well three), in the house, there has been a lot of anticipation for this day.  They stopped and picked it up after school last night, and they could hardly stand the wait to play it.  Homework was hastily done, soccer practice was just walked through.  The focus of the night was getting back to play the new game.

The boys talked about it all day at school yesterday and probably will again today.  The anticipation, the excitement,  the innocence.

I have penned words on this subject before.  But I am still amazed by it.  I am amazed by the excitement that children can generate.  You see, on the other side of the house, Amy and I are discussing how we are going to get all of our stuff done.   How are going to get the car fixed?  Where are we meeting for dinner?  Who is going where, who is taking what task?  Can you believe this is what happened at work? etc.  I look longingly back to the children and the incredible passion they are able to muster for things, ideas, and events.

I think this is also one reason I was so enamored with the video I shared on Friday.   We must continue to find a way to live with that childhood exuberance even while doing “adult” things, but boy is it hard.  So today, is just a reminder to keep your passion for life alive despite the crushing weight of life.  We serve the Master who said he will “make all things new”.

15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:15-17 (New International Version)

You may want to read the whole of chapter 4 if you have time.   Have a great day and life with some exuberance, you are living in the age of freedom and mercy!

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Dead Batteries

I am no where near becoming a mechanic.  I just want to get in the car, crank the ignition and go.  I really don’t even care for driving that much.  So you can imagine what it was like this morning when Amy’s car was making that “click, click, click”.  You know it, the sound that is worse then finger nails on a chalkboard.  A battery that is not strong enough to start up the good old combustion engine.  (insert deep and long sigh here).

But aha, no problem right – just pull out the jumpers and go to town. No. Still nothing.  So today I get the pleasure of trying to figure out how to get that vehicle out of my garage and to a garage where it can someone who actually understands how those things work can take my wallet out of my pocket, examine it and charge me accordingly!  It’s this stuff in life that can lead you to frustration.

However, I choose to take a different take this morning.  First , I am blessed enough to have 2 vehicles, and I am blessed enough to have a job where I can work from home. And if I am honest with myself, I am blessed to have the means to be able to fix that vehicle.  Sometimes, we just need to stop and count the blessings, and ignore the little issues, that we want to turn into huge issues.

So the car sits in the garage, I am working from home and Amy probably ended up just a few minutes late for school.  Really no so bad.

Take a look at the frustrations of your day and evaluate them in an honest manner. See if you can find some blessing in them.

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5 (New International Version)

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Go and Do Likewise

Last night on the way home, I asked Andrew what he studied in his “Sunday School” classes.  He replied they had a skit about the good Samaritan.  I then questioned him about his part, was he the guy that beat up that poor man.  He said, no I was the Samaritian, and his little 5 year old friend Sammy was the guy who beat him up. I think he did have a few bruises last night!

So, this morning, I decided to take a peek at that story again in Luke.  It’s quite a simple story, and one that most of you know.  In response to the question “who is my neighbor?”, Jesus tells a story of a man who is beat up, left for dead, past by and finally aided by a man who had no business doing it, for several reasons.

The part that always gets me about this story, beside that fact that the Samaritan had to overcome such prejudice to provide assistance, is Jesus’ last statement

37The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke  10:37

Go and do likewise.  Go and do.  That’s a command.  This is more then just a story for elementary children to act out.  It’s a life lesson that we should be “acting out”  everyday.

Today, go and do!  Show Mercy, Love you neighbor, and make a difference!

Go and Do Likewise!

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A Child’s View

I found this video title “One Child’s Most Exciting Day” whilst on my normal search for information and ideas on the World Wide Web earlier this week.  I have spent parts of the last two days thinking about it.  You will need to watch it to get the full picture, but essentially in this German ( I think) video about poverty, a child is asked to describe his most exciting day.  As he describes visiting castles, eating feasts and sailing on boats, the images show he and his mother, at the unemployment office, at the food bank and in the washateria.

I have not been able to rationalize whether the video paints the child and his position in poverty in a positive or negative light.  It seems to suggest that he is hiding the pain by telling a story, but I am not sure.  I wonder if he has become content in his world, oblivious, or at least not dwelling in, his humble position in life.  I can’t help but to think this is a good image of what our Lord says when he tells us to have “faith like a child”, and when he instructs us to be humble and content in all things.

3And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 18:3-4 (New International Version)

This child took a day that to an adult could be rather humiliating, boring, and mundane and turns it in a day full of adventure, excitement and promise.   hm..

Take one minute today or this weekend to watch this video.  Think about this boy’s perspective on life, and think about your own.

I don’t think I have fully grasped the complete message that is delivered in this 69 second spot, as my sub conscious continues to mull it over.  But I do see that our attitude and viewpoint can make even the hardest day better.   Enjoy Friday, enjoy the weekend, and find adventure and excitement in all your undertakings.

11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.   Philippians 4:11-13 (New International Version)