Tag: examples

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Keep Pounding

Last night the pounding continued for me.  It was bad enough that I wrote about my experience with homeless dude and my general lack of concern for my neighbor.  But then last night, the men’s group I have been hanging out with decides that the topic should be about love, and kindness and how we treat the poor.  (geesh, is someone trying to tell me something!!)

But seriously, it is important, even this week Barry O. said that is why he was attracted to Christ:

“It was because the precepts of Jesus Christ spoke to me in terms of the kind of life that I would want to lead. Being my brother’s and sister’s keeper. Treating others as they would treat me.” – Barack Obama

This whole idea of loving your neighbor is extremely important  One that is probably worth another post.  This morning I stumbled upon this quote

Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. – Mother Teresa

She’s correct, it doesn’t have to be huge, or big, but it needs to be consistent and faithful – which ironically would be extraordinary!!!

Let’s do it up!

9-10So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. (Galatians 6:9, The Message)

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Take Me As You Find Me

This week has been a perplexing week for me.  I have found my mind preoccupied, but not focused.  I have been bugged by the constant battle between being what I want to be and observing what I let myself be.

Last night while on what turned out to be a great run I was listening to Hillsong’s Mighty to Save.  There is one particular lyric that seemed to call to my spirit.

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

Isn’t this were a lot of us find ourselves.  We want to surrender, we want to give our lives to follow what we believe, but yet we sit and look around and see the scars of failures and the waste of fears.  For instance….(start the dream sequence)

Earlier this week, I was driving home and stopped at a traffic light downtown.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone slowly crossing the road.  I was deep in thought and didn’t pay too much attention, until I noticed that standing right in front of my truck was a man, dressed in dirty clothes, standing on crutches staring at me.  Then he reached down and held up a piece of paper that had words written on it in magic marker.  The words said something like “Help me feed my Family”.  I sort of just sat there in disbelief, sort of dumbfounded.  I was thinking things like “what did they just say on Sporttalk(local afternoon radio sports show )?”, “What happens if the light turns green, do I just beep my horn or simply run this dude over?” and finally – “What should I do?”  I was so surprised by the boldness of this guy that I really didn’t know what to do.  There I was stuck at the like, this guy in front on me, staring, his eyes pleading, and I am kind of like ‘Are you looking at me?’  So in sort of a disgusted way, I shook my head.  He looked down disgusted and walked the rest of the way across the street.  What’s interesting is our disgust was the same.  He was disgusted with me; I was disgusted with, well ME.

The rest of the way home I thought about this guy.  I really don’t know what was up.  He could be the number one scam artist in Chattanooga – but probably not.  He was probably just a man in need.  And there I sat with what I think is MY money in MY pocket, driving MY truck going home to MY house to eat MY dinner.  ‘Get out of my way homeless dude, I have MY stuff to do.’  Mine, mine, mine.  But yet, I will sing with all my might,

“Now I surrender”.

Yesterday was evidently National Good Neighbor Day.  And surprisingly this one is actually backed up by a Senate Resolution.  I can’t believe I missed it.  But not to fear, one of your fellow ‘buffeters’ pointed it out to me.   So, I thought back to this guy. And I thought about how easy it has been to make it about me this week.  Not just with dude in the street, but with my boys, with my coworkers, and with my friends.  Interestingly Jesus tells us multiple times that the second greatest commandment in the whole wide world is “Love your neighbor as yourself”. (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 19:18-20, Matthew 22:38-30, Mark 12:30-32, Luke 10:26-28, Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:13-15, James 2:7-9).  Paul in his Galatian letter said it summed up the ENTIRE law!

Argh…

“all my fears and failures…”

I am so glad that we live in the age of Grace ( can I hear an Amen – or just add it to the comments!)  I am so thankful that I don’t have to earn the love of Christ.  That the love of God is freely given.  That forgiveness is freely given and that it’s really not at all about me.

And that’s what is so perplexing.  I got it for free, but yet I find it so hard to share.  It’s not mine, I am just blessed to live in the light of his glory, and to have it light my way.

Anyway, today’s a new day, filled with new chances, new opportunities and new moments – and he does “take us as he finds us”.  It seems to me that everyday should be Good Neighbor Day.

As some of my coworkers say “Do the Needful”

“Shine Your light and let the whole world see”

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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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Unsure?

This morning I am been a little unsure of what to write.  My brain is swirling in lots of things, but no clear thoughts to share.  So I just after wondering aimlessly around the house looking for inspiration from the cats, the sun rise, the boys, or anything that I could find, I reluctantly just opened up my Bible.

After turning about 4 pages, I saw this:

12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.1 Timothy 1:12-17 (New International Version)

So right there it is.  Very encouraging words for a morning of uncertainty.  Paul says, Hey look I was terrible, full of problems, angry, violent, and just blame rough, and the Christ poured grace all over me.  Then he says, he’ll do the same for you.  Wow, that’s a nice promise and a provides a certain amount of certainty, doesn’t?

And then of course, when we are given a gift of grace and unlimited patience like that, we can turn face the day with vigor and sureness and boldness.  Can we bestow this same gives on the others that we encounter today.  Surely, we can.  Pour out the grace that you have been given to those around you.

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Hearitly Ahead

Yep!  It’s Monday again, and here comes the monotony of the “work-a-day” world full force towards us.  It’s so easy to want to pull up the covers and stay were you are.

So it seems like one of those days that we need to turn to the the expert in futility – the write of Ecclesiastes.  It is well know that this dude, King Solomon, realized the vanity and futility that sits right int the face of men.  However, he didn’t give up, nor give him.  For he make this declaration:

10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave,  where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. Ecclesiastes 9:10 (New International Version)

Well, that’s a little morbid, but its real.  We get one chance at this little game of life.   I think the Message is even more plain on this topic:

7-10 Seize life! Eat bread with gusto,
Drink wine with a robust heart.
Oh yes—God takes pleasure in your pleasure!
Dress festively every morning.
Don’t skimp on colors and scarves.
Relish life with the spouse you love
Each and every day of your precarious life.
Each day is God’s gift. It’s all you get in exchange
For the hard work of staying alive.
Make the most of each one!
Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily!
This is your last and only chance at it,
For there’s neither work to do nor thoughts to think
In the company of the dead, where you’re most certainly headed. (Ecclesiastes 9:10, The Message)

So here’s the deal, yep, Monday stinks.  But we only get so many of them.  Lets make ’em count!  Get out there with all your might and impact the world around you!

Do it up!