Tag: examples

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My Way or the Broken Way

Its been one of those sort of weeks that wear you down mentally and spiritually.  One of those weeks that sets you up for doing something dumb – do you know what I mean?  Frustration at work, the ‘joys’ of parenthood, the fast pace of life in general.  So much that last night my oldest son and I are still working away on getting the documentation complete for his science fair project ( YES! SCIENCE FAIR!), and emails are streaming around from work that well frankly put are making me want to put my fist through the wall.

It was in the midst of this that I sat down and took a look at some pictures from Haiti, courtesy of the Sacramento Bee and Boston.com.  While reviewing those, I thought about one email I had received earlier in the day.  I email containing a link from the Chattanooga.com about a co worker of mine who was tragically killed by a drunk driver two days before Christmas.  (All of these links are tales of heart breaking events)

Its funny how God works. Right when I think things aren’t going my way and I should start to take control of these situations – boom, reminders hit you in the fore head.  I am really being a servant?  Am I really considering others?  Am I being humble enough? Am I really being humble AT ALL?

17 The sacrifices of God are  a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51 NIV)

So even though Alex and I were up late finishing up the science project, and even with meetings being schedule at unreasonable times,  and even with expectations and life events that don’t seem fair, can I still realize the blessings that I have.  Can I still see how good life is? Can I still come to God with humility and contriteness and lay myself before him and say “I will do whatever you ask”?  We are all blessed – beyond compare.  Let us stay humble and broken,  and let us keep the heart of a servant.
I have a strange feeling I will be surprised how different the day will be if I approach today with a servant’s heart rather than the attitude I had last night – one of anger and frustration and pride.  Its interesting how God’s Way puts is in a place of joy, and our way
puts us in a danger zone.!

So break your heart, humble yourself and live today.  Take advantage of what you have been given.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51 (NIV)

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Crazy Cats

Usually our cats are outside cats.  They may come in for the occasional walk through the house with the special treat being a drink from the toilet, but for the most part they start outside exercising their dominion over the yard, the grass, and the small rodents and rabbits.  However, during these extremely cold nights the past few weeks they have been coming in side more often.

One of these guys – “Bruce” as we call him, seems to not be very appreciative of this.  He comes in, eats, drinks, runs to the basement door, meows and runs down stairs.  If you pet him, or pick him up, he is noticeable tense and always ready to be placed back down on the ground.    We had another kitty, “Dennis”, a few years ago that was exactly like that.  When we brought him home as a kitten, he immediately started hissing at us.  I think in the time we “owned” Dennis, I can count all the times I held him on both hands.  And most of those were carefully crafted sneak up attacks while he was asleep, so that I could check him over for ticks, scratches, etc.  Dennis, always come around for food and shelter, but immediately high tailed it when it came to social activities – until he was sick, well, even then he tried to run, but he was so sick he could not.  Despite Dennis’ apparent usage of us, it was still a sad day when we had to put him down.  Little Bruce is not as extreme as Dennis, but he is still not one who really cares for much time with his owner.

The shame about this is that in contrast to our other cats over time – esp “Stanley” and our other current cat “Todd”.  Both of these cats would meet me at the end of the driveway when I returned from a run.  They beg for attention, they jump up in your lap, they sneak around and although they are outside kitties, they still find ways to end up in your bed at night.  The contrast is really amazing.

So, with these cold nights, and watching the interacts of Todd and Dennis around the house, I can’t help but make a comparative analysis to how we our with God.    We find ourselves like Dennis, always around for food and shelter, sometimes begrudgingly around in times of trouble, but for the most part independent.  However, when we are that way, we miss out of the best parts.  We miss out on sleeping in the bed with the Master.  We miss out on the closeness and comfort and peace that He provides.

Don’t do it all alone, reach out for God.  Meet him at the driveway, find ways to draw close to him, and then watch what happens…

8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded (James 4:8 (New International Version)

 7-10So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. (James 4:8, The Message)

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Westward Leading – Still Proceeding

Sometimes, I have writers block when I can’t think a thought in the world.  Today, I have so many thoughts circling in my brain, I can’t determine what to write about.

So lets start with that 80’s countdown – Thanks Josh.  This one is a classic.  Last Christmas by WHAM.  What a fun way to countdown to the such a great day.  Its almost here.  Man, I have to figure out what to get Amy!  Any ideas out there?  I was thinking about this.  I love that sight!

Anyway, Westward Leading.. Could you imagine being the shepherds in the field.  I have thought about this for years and was reminded Saturday and Sunday night about how incredible it was for them to have the angels speak to them.  Could you imagine what was going on with the wise men as they followed the star?  What where there thoughts? “Lets go follow a star  to a baby. Yeah, that sounds good!”.  That’s pretty amazing.

However, today we are asked to do the same thing.  Follow the Star of Bethlehem.  Will you?  Today, look up, find the Star, and follow it, just like these wise men.  ( I love that bumper sticker “Wise Men Still Follow Him”)

Matthew 2:1-2

1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east[b] and have come to worship him.”(NIV)

And the Message

1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.” (MSG)

Have a great day, and follow that star .. “westward leading..still proceeding…..”

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Took 14,018 showers!

Well, I woke up this morning with a classic Veggie Tune in my head:

Laura: I can’t believe it’s Christmas!
I think I’m finally gettin’ something
Can’t believe it’s Christmas,
My favorite time of year!

Percy: I can’t believe it’s Christmas!
Been dreaming of a sugar-plum thing
Can’t believe it’s Christmas,
Oh, boy! It’s finally here!

Dinkletown children: Ho, ho! Away we go!
With rosey cheeks and hearts aglowin’
Hey, hey! Our favorite day!
It makes us want to cheer!

(listen here)

I think the best line is little Lenny saying:

Lenny: Took 14,018 showers!

Anyway, its Christmas, and its a great time of the year.  More of that later in the month.  For now, following on some previous posts, and because of some thoughts I have on relationships and managing them that I will also post later ( tomorrow I think), today enjoy one of the starting points of deep faith.  Break yourself before God. Did you read that?   Break yourself.  Cast your cares on him. He wants them.  And he will lift you up.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (New International Version)

6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

When you are not singing today, spend some quieter moments considering humility, and what being humble before God really means.  Also think about how that manifests itself in relationships with people.

Percy: Yo, ho! We love the snow!

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Letting it Go

There are times in your life when you feel like you are in complete control.  Its amazing that its during these times that usually things go out of control!  God has a funny way of keeping us humble, it we don’t keep ourselves there.  But its in these times when we are not in control, or in times when you feel completely broken that great things can happen!

Take a look at this from the pen of Paul:

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (New International Version)

7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Absolutely Amazing!  Can we accept this?  Can we accept that we are stronger when we completely rely on God?  Can we accept not being in control?  Can we be more glad in our weakness, in our hardtimes, in our difficulties?

Think deeply about this and see how this can transform you to be more dependent on Christ and less dependent on yourself.

Have a great (rainy) Wednesday!