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Archive for the ‘Formation’ Category

Rest in the Presence

Posted in Formation, Hope on September 14, 2009| 2 Comments »

Saturday night I could not sleep but I had an overwhelming sense of being drawn to a time with God.  Now before you put me in the “mystic” column (which wouldn’t be a bad thing), I didn’t hear an audible voice or anything, but there was a distinct burning desire in my heart to be alone with God.  So I got up, went out on the back deck, built a fire in the chimnea and just sat for a couple of hours.  It was a beautiful, peaceful and quiet night with a little chill in the air – I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

One would think, at this point in the story, that God had some life-changing revelation for me and I will forever be different because of getting out of bed and going to meet with God in that time and place.  But nothing happened (at least nothing life-changing and revelatory).  But what did happen is that I rested in knowing that God was all around me and I could just live in that moment with God and know that God is in control and has a plan.

So here is my reminder for you.  So many times we get discouraged in our daily walk because we set time aside to meet with God and it seems flat or uneventful.  But the next time that happens for you, remember to simply rest in God – rest in the fact that God is all around you and loves you!

Shouldn’t that be enough anyway?

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5 Things I’ve Learned in My 44 Years

Posted in Formation, Motivational on September 11, 2009| 4 Comments »

As I was reflecting this morning on my last 44 years, I began to think about things I have learned through those years.  This list is not all-inclusive and as I continue to think about it, it may not even include the most important lessons I have learned.  But here is what is on my mind today:

  1. Trust God in all things
  2. Life is not about me – its about God
  3. Don’t think less of myself, just think of myself less
  4. Live fully – always engaged and with no regrets
  5. Love with all you’ve got

There it is – some things I have learned thus far on my journey.  Hopefully there will be many more years and many more lessons.

What are some things you have learned on your journey?

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Out of Context

Posted in Formation, Hope, Motivational on September 10, 2009| 3 Comments »

A couple of years ago I was at a conference for church leaders. I was walking toward one of my sessions when I met up with a familiar face. Have you ever seen someone and thought, “I know I should know this person” but you could not remember their name nor how you know them? This happens to me all the time.

We shared cordial conversation consisting of questions like, “how are you enjoying the conference?” and “tell me where you are from?” It was at that point that things got interesting. As it turns out, the person was from right here in town.  At that point, I was really confused.  I had assumed the person was there from another church.  I finally had to ask, “How do we know each other?”  At that point the person said, “I am your pharmacist.”

Then it clicked.  I had assumed she was there at the same conference I was attending for church leaders but she was in the same convention center attending a conference for pharmacists!

The point to this story is this – in a white lab coat, behind the counter at the pharmacy, I would have had no problem recognizing this person.  But out of that context, 300 miles from home, I could not place her.

How often do we miss God in action because we have a preconceived idea of the context in which we will see God.  God is at work today, at every turn.  Remember that we must be sensitive to see God and recognize God’s work in even the most unlikely places and times.

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Who Has Impacted You The Most

Posted in Formation on September 9, 2009| 2 Comments »

As I was doing my daily parent taxi service duties this morning, we were listening to the radio when a song came on from Disciple.  The song is called “Things Left Unsaid,” and it tells a story of a person sitting in the hospital room of someone with a short time to live.  The significance of the relationship between the two people comes from the fact that the dying person was instrumental in the Christian walk of the other person.  The dying person is in a comatose state, but there is a hope that the dying person knows how much the other person loves them and appreciates all they have done for him.

I don’t know how many times I have heard this song but I listened to the lyrics today for the first time and it caused me to think of people – spiritual giants in my life who have been used by God to form me.  I think of Sunday school teachers I had growing up who impacted my life – like Mr. Fowler, my third grade Sunday school teacher, who told me, “You are gonna be a preacher some day.”  Or others who have just been there for me through the years – consistently exhibiting the life of Christ right in front of me.

But as I thought more about this – the spiritual GIANTS who stand out the most in my life are my parents.  I have had many people who have had an impact on my spiritual formation, but none more important than them.  Dad, Mom – if you are reading – know that I appreciate and love you more than I can ever say.

So who is it for you?  Who has impacted your spiritual formation positively?  If they are still living – let them know how much you love and appreciate them today while you still can.

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Zoom Out for a Bigger Picture

Posted in Formation, Hope on September 8, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Do you ever get bogged down in your daily life?  Do you ever get so overwhelmed with the crisis of the moment that you forget the blessings you have been given?  Sometimes we allow ourselves to be so caught up in the needs of the moment that we forget the joy that we have in knowing and being known by our savior.  It is easy to forget that God has a plan for us when we are weighted down by our daily problems.

I was reminded of this on Sunday.  There has been a lot going on in my life over the past several months and I have struggled to stay focused on God’s plan for me and my family.  Sunday, this verse was Tweeted out by @Air1 and it caused me to remember the joy that I have in Jesus.  Every once in a while I need to be reminded that regardless of the circumstances, God is still in control.

Have you ever used Google Earth?  It gives us the ability to see our surroundings from a satellite photo.  You can pick a spot and the photo will begin from the vantage point of outer space.  You then zoom in to see the state; then further in to see the town.  A few more clicks and you begin to see streets and then ultimately you can zoom in so close as to see if there is a car in your driveway – it is amazing!

Here is my point, I tend to live (as we all do) completely zoomed in – seeing only what is right in front of us.  Perhaps, we should zoom out just a bit from time to time to see the bigger picture.  I think when we do we will get a better perspective and joy will come easier.

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Do Impossible Things

Posted in Formation, Grace, Motivational on September 4, 2009| 1 Comment »

IMG_0066This past summer, our family was blessed to spend a day or two at Huntington Beach, CA.  It just so happened that the US Open of Surfing was going on at the time.  In addition to the fantastic surfing, there were “side-shows” set up on the beach.  We got to sit and watch some of these guys show off their skills on bicycles.  They could do some amazing things – things that would be impossible for me (and most likely, deadly).

Yesterday I wrote about the importance of giving it our all.  For us to truly live the life worthy of the name of Christian, we must be committed to living everyday in service to God.  That takes many forms but at the root of it all will be the way we love others and show grace and compassion to others.  You may be thinking, “That sounds good on paper but you don’t know the people I know and there is no way I can show some people love, grace and compassion – it’s impossible.”

My answer to you – “Yep, you’re right!”  It is not humanly possible to love everyone unconditionally.  But according to this passage, God can work in and through us to do incredible things – God is able if we are willing.

So here is your challenge – this weekend do a little dreaming.  What is God nudging you to do that would be impossible without God’s help?  Then set your mind about doing just that.

Have a great holiday weekend!

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Leave It All on the Court

Posted in Formation, Motivational on September 3, 2009| 1 Comment »

If you read these ramblings long enough, you find out a lot of facts about me you may not have otherwise known.  One of the things you may have figured out by now is that I love music.  All kinds of music (must admit – not a big country fan – but even that has its place – just not on my iPod) – I even have some rap on the old pocket juke box.  I was listening to a Christian rapper this morning who does an incredible job.  He is fairly new to the mainline stream although he has been around for a number of years.

@Lecrae does an incredible job of putting meaningful lyrics together in a way that will make you stop and think.  The rap this morning that caught my ear was “Go Hard or Go Home.”  The entire song speaks to the fact that as Christians, we have to be on fire for Christ.  While the words of this rap are pretty “in your face,” the point he makes is that if we aren’t living every day for Jesus with all we’ve got then why are we even alive.

He uses a basketball illustration in the rap (which is probably another reason I like him) and says:

Take me out the game coach
I don’t wanna play no mo
If I can’t give it all I got and leave it out there on the court

In other words, I don’t want to live any longer if I am not giving it all I’ve got.  So here is the question:  Are you giving Jesus all you’ve got everyday?

Or put another way, Are you leaving it all out on the court at the end of the day?  Give it all or go home is what Lecrae would say, and I’m with him.

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Open 24 Hours

Posted in Formation, Hope on September 1, 2009| 2 Comments »

One of my favorite comedians of all time is Steven Wright.  He is very unique both in his delivery and material .  His basic delivery used to be very dry and monotone and his content consisted of little one or two line questions that make you think – often playing on double meanings.  I was reminded this morning of one of his jokes.  He said he was headed into a store as the employee was locking the door.  He asked the employee, “Hey, wait a minute, the sign says 24 hours – why are you closing!”  The employee replied, “Yes we’re open 24 hours, but not in a row!”

Ok, maybe I am revealing more about my sense of humor than I should, but this got me thinking about being open.  God is always with us, guiding us, helping us.  But are we open to what God is trying to do in our lives all the time.  Or do we pick and choose when we will be open or how open we will be? Hebrews 3 talks about the fact that we should not become so hardened by wanting things our way that we are no longer open and receptive to God’s leadership.  God led the Hebrew people out of Egypt and straight to a new land.  But when they got there, they were unwilling because of the fear of the unknown, to follow through with God’s plan.  So God let them wander around in the desert for 40 years before bringing them back to the same land as before.

What is God leading you to do today?  Are you open to that leading?  Let me encourage you to have faith and be open to God’s leadership – don’t be afraid, God’s got this!

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Are You Willing?

Posted in Church, Formation on August 25, 2009| 3 Comments »

Yesterday I talked about the fact that we often fail to follow God’s leadership because we become so accustomed to God’s word that we fail to see it as relevant and alive – we skim right over what it means for us now.  Today I am thinking about another reason we fail to follow God’s leadership.  Often times we know what God would have us do but we are unwilling.

Ever been there?  Have you ever been faced with the realization that you needed to do something different to be more effective or maybe to be closer to God but you were not willing because it meant giving something up or changing something you like to do?  I have to confess that I know in my head that I need to spend more quality time with God – setting aside time to read and pray.  But on a very practical level, that would mean going to be earlier so that I could get up earlier.  I would have to change my lifestyle to make that happen more regularly.  So what do I do?  I try to get up earlier without going to bed earlier, telling myself that if I was a committed Christian I could do it.  But what happens is that after a few days of that, I am back into the routine of sleeping later and cramming my time with God into a more convenient crevice of my day.

The book of Judges deals with this idea.  You can read an example here.  So many times we do not follow God’s plan for us because we are unwilling to change.

So here is my question for you today:  “What are you doing that you know you need to change to become closer to God and the plan that God has for you?”

The beauty of God’s love is that God’s invitation is always open.  One of the themes throughout the book of Judges is God’s pursuit of us.  God is always open and ready for us.  The question is are you willing to change?

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Hidden In Plain Sight

Posted in Church, Formation on August 24, 2009| 3 Comments »

One of the oldest school buildings in our community has a very interesting element that I find amusing.  On the south end of the building, just above the entrance into the gym are three or four reliefs – concrete, life-sized athletic figures formed right into the wall about 20 feet above the ground.  This building was built over 50 years ago and the reliefs are not a new addition.  The poses that these figures are in I find hysterical – but that is a post for another day.  What I find amusing about all this is that when I came to this community, my first day, as we were driving around looking at the sites, I spotted these strange figures.  Now I am not the most observant person, but I picked these things out from the car at 30 miles per hour.

I have now been in this community for over 7 years and I have yet to meet one person who grew up here that, when asked about the figures, even knows what I am talking about.  I am always amazed when the subject comes up, that no one has ever noticed these amazingly funny athletes posing in a prominent place on one of our buildings.

But here is the point.  We grow accustomed to things and don’t see what is really going on around us.  The same is true in the church.  We do the same things over and over, year after year and think things are great when often times we don’t truly see what is going on around us.  James 1:23-24 speaks to this familiarity.  You can read it here.

The author of James says that hearing God’s word and not doing it is like looking in the mirror and after turning away, forgetting what we look like.  The point is this, we often become so familiar with God’s truth, we stop living it – it is assumed – and before we know it, the word, the very truth of God, loses its relevance and impact in our lives.

I challenge you today to pray this prayer:  “God, today make all things new.  Help me to see your word, your will and your plan for me in a new and fresh way – as I have never seen it before.”

I would love to hear what God does in you as a result.

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