One Month til Football Season Starts!Saturday, August 30, 2008
Alabama vs Clemson
7:00 p.m. (Central)
ROLL TIDE!!!
Just Lunch
4 days ago
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Audience of One
"Surrender is about learning to live for an audience of one, and that is God."
--Pathway to Purpose for Women by Katie Brazelton, pg. 166
--Pathway to Purpose for Women by Katie Brazelton, pg. 166
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Eye Sore
This morning I awoke with a pain in my right eye. It felt like I had something in my eye--a stray eyelash or some dust, perhaps--so I took out my contact, rinsed it off and put it back in. The pain remained. Then I tried taking out the contact again, and this time flushed my eye out with Visine, but to no avail. My eye continued to sting and started watering.
On my way to work I thought of Jesus' admonition to His followers in Matthew 7:
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:3-5)
Given that my eye was definitely feeling more like it had a plank in it rather than a measley speck of dust, these verses really spoke to me. I couldn't help but think that God was reminding me of the danger of fault-finding with others while ignoring my own glaring faults. I sometimes find myself being nit-picky, and, let's face it, judgmental and overly critical. After all, it's much more enjoyable to pick apart someone else rather than deal with my own shortcomings.
I think God was using this sore eye today to gently nudge me from some critical behavior that I've been exhibiting lately. While my eye is still a little bloodshot, the pain has subsided a good bit, and I'm trusting that it will be gone by morning. Better yet, I'm trusting that my judgmental tendencies will be lessened as I submit to the Spirit's work on my heart.
On my way to work I thought of Jesus' admonition to His followers in Matthew 7:
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:3-5)
Given that my eye was definitely feeling more like it had a plank in it rather than a measley speck of dust, these verses really spoke to me. I couldn't help but think that God was reminding me of the danger of fault-finding with others while ignoring my own glaring faults. I sometimes find myself being nit-picky, and, let's face it, judgmental and overly critical. After all, it's much more enjoyable to pick apart someone else rather than deal with my own shortcomings.
I think God was using this sore eye today to gently nudge me from some critical behavior that I've been exhibiting lately. While my eye is still a little bloodshot, the pain has subsided a good bit, and I'm trusting that it will be gone by morning. Better yet, I'm trusting that my judgmental tendencies will be lessened as I submit to the Spirit's work on my heart.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Mission Advice
Two weeks from today I'll be south of the border in Guatemala, on my first mission trip. This one is a medical mission trip with Health Talents International, which runs the clinic where we'll be working. As I mentioned in an earlier post, my going on this trip has been totally orchestrated by God. While I am certainly eager to help others there in the clinic, I have a feeling that I will come away having been blessed more by those I will be trying to help.
This afternoon, our mission team had our final group meeting before our trip. We spent a great deal of time talking about some of the logistics of the trip and what to expect. Compared to many other places in the world, the places where we'll be staying will be quite luxurious, with hot running water and air conditioning. Perhaps that's not such a bad way to ease into missions...although it may also spoil me for doing mission work in other places that don't have as many modern conveniences!
For those of you who have participated in mission trips before, what advice would you give to a novice missionary such as myself? What (if anything) do you wish you'd known before you embarked on your trip?
This afternoon, our mission team had our final group meeting before our trip. We spent a great deal of time talking about some of the logistics of the trip and what to expect. Compared to many other places in the world, the places where we'll be staying will be quite luxurious, with hot running water and air conditioning. Perhaps that's not such a bad way to ease into missions...although it may also spoil me for doing mission work in other places that don't have as many modern conveniences!
For those of you who have participated in mission trips before, what advice would you give to a novice missionary such as myself? What (if anything) do you wish you'd known before you embarked on your trip?
Soul Feasting
I've been blessed this weekend to have two evenings of fellowship. On Friday night, I went out to eat with a dozen or so others to celebrate a friend's birthday. At my end of the table, I ended up sitting with a dear friend, plus a few others from church who I only really knew in passing. Dinner changed that, however, as we soon found ourselves engaged in deep theological discussion during much of the meal. While the food was good, the conversation satisfied me even more, as we exchanged ideas and opinions and respectfully challenged each other at times.
Last night provided another opportunity for a feast for my soul, as I gathered at a friend's home with several other good friends to scrapbook and enjoy dinner and fellowship. Once again our thoughts kept returning to spiritual matters. I left feeling extremely full in both stomach and soul.
I'm struck by how closely fellowship and food are tied together. Not that we can't have deep Spirit-led conversations in a calorie-free setting, but there is an intimacy in sharing a meal with someone that is not the same as just sitting on a park bench. Whether at a restaurant or at someone's home, whether over a home-cooked meal or a delivered pizza, the act of dining together satisfies more than just basic stomach hunger.
Think about how often meals are used in central ways in the Bible. The Israelites celebrated many feasts by God's command, the most important one being the Passover, marking His deliverance of them from the hands of their enemies. Jesus' very first miracle took place at a wedding feast. At His last supper, He used elements from the Passover--the breaking of bread, the drinking of wine--to serve as memorials of His death and resurrection. He could have chosen anything to symbolize this, yet He used a meal.
Throughout the Bible, meals were more than just a brief re-fill on carbs and protein. They were opportunities to be hospitable, to share generously, to remember important events, to celebrate. And certainly to fellowship.
I'm so thankful that my view of what "church" is has changed over the years, and is no longer limited to what happens at the church building on Sunday morning or Wednesday night. I think I experienced a lot of "church" at the table this weekend.
Last night provided another opportunity for a feast for my soul, as I gathered at a friend's home with several other good friends to scrapbook and enjoy dinner and fellowship. Once again our thoughts kept returning to spiritual matters. I left feeling extremely full in both stomach and soul.
I'm struck by how closely fellowship and food are tied together. Not that we can't have deep Spirit-led conversations in a calorie-free setting, but there is an intimacy in sharing a meal with someone that is not the same as just sitting on a park bench. Whether at a restaurant or at someone's home, whether over a home-cooked meal or a delivered pizza, the act of dining together satisfies more than just basic stomach hunger.
Think about how often meals are used in central ways in the Bible. The Israelites celebrated many feasts by God's command, the most important one being the Passover, marking His deliverance of them from the hands of their enemies. Jesus' very first miracle took place at a wedding feast. At His last supper, He used elements from the Passover--the breaking of bread, the drinking of wine--to serve as memorials of His death and resurrection. He could have chosen anything to symbolize this, yet He used a meal.
Throughout the Bible, meals were more than just a brief re-fill on carbs and protein. They were opportunities to be hospitable, to share generously, to remember important events, to celebrate. And certainly to fellowship.
I'm so thankful that my view of what "church" is has changed over the years, and is no longer limited to what happens at the church building on Sunday morning or Wednesday night. I think I experienced a lot of "church" at the table this weekend.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Lifting Up Days
Most times in my morning prayer time I lift up the upcoming day to God--my to-do list, worries, deadlines, attitudes, etc. Recently the thought came to me that not only did I need to lift up my day at its start, but at its close as well.
That may seem rather odd, to lift up in prayer that which has already been done. But it's not lifting up that day's activities--rather, it's lifting up my tendencies to dwell on the day rather than on preparing for the next day. I'm one of those people that has a hard time resisting the temptation to look back. I tend to overanalyze situations, replaying conversations in my head, thinking "I should have said that" or "I could have done this better". It's a terrible habit to have, and one that often expends a lot of energy while accomplishing very little.
So I think it's fitting that I take time to turn over each day to God as it ends. I can take time to reflect on my day, then turn it over to Him, recognizing that what's done is done and that He alone has the power to turn even my most embarrassing, agonizing and depressing days into fodder for good days ahead. Like the apostle Paul, I want to focus on what lies ahead:
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)
That may seem rather odd, to lift up in prayer that which has already been done. But it's not lifting up that day's activities--rather, it's lifting up my tendencies to dwell on the day rather than on preparing for the next day. I'm one of those people that has a hard time resisting the temptation to look back. I tend to overanalyze situations, replaying conversations in my head, thinking "I should have said that" or "I could have done this better". It's a terrible habit to have, and one that often expends a lot of energy while accomplishing very little.
So I think it's fitting that I take time to turn over each day to God as it ends. I can take time to reflect on my day, then turn it over to Him, recognizing that what's done is done and that He alone has the power to turn even my most embarrassing, agonizing and depressing days into fodder for good days ahead. Like the apostle Paul, I want to focus on what lies ahead:
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)
Monday, July 14, 2008
Where Our Real Value Lies
I'm always part amused, part disgusted by the amount of attention given to celebrities, and especially to celebrity offspring. It's one thing to be fawned over because you've won an Oscar or because your latest album went platinum. But I'm puzzled over some people's obsessions with their favorite stars' children.
Take the way-more-famous-in-utero-than-I'll-ever-be-outside-the-womb "Brangelina" twins. There are reports that the rights to their first photos could fetch up to $20 million. I'm baffled at the thought of someone willing to fork over such an outrageous sum of cash for pictures of babies who have done little more in their days-old lives than eat, sleep and necessitate diaper changes.
But therein lies the key to their appeal. They haven't done anything of great significance. Their worth (by gossip magazine standards, anyway) lies not in what they do, not even in who they are as individuals, but in whose they are. Because their parents are two of the most famous movie stars in the world, they are instant stars, destined for a lifetime of celebrity status regardless of who they grow up to be or what they choose to do in life. They will always be identified as Brad and Angelina's children.
While my hackles have been a little bit raised over the thought of millions of dollars being spent on baby photos, this is serving as a reminder that my own value lies not in what I do, or who I am, but rather in whose I am. I am a child of God--and that alone is enough to warrant undue love and attention from an everlasting Father. The apostle John sums up our identity:
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (I John 3:1a)
Furthermore, God loves us all equally, regardless of our backgrounds, our financial situations, our marital status, how many children we have, where we work, or any other variables. As Paul reminds us in his letter to the Galatians, we are all on equal footing when it comes to our identity in Christ:
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3: 26-29)
If Paul were writing this letter today, he might add something like this: There is neither student nor teacher, single nor married, childless nor parent, homemaker nor executive, homeless nor millionaire...
It doesn't matter who we are or what we do. We've done nothing to earn the love of God. And, as Paul points out in Romans, we can do nothing to lose His love, either.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)
The next time you hear a news story about another celebrity baby or spot a million-dollar baby photo on the cover of a magazine, let me encourage you to use that as a reminder of your value in being a child of God. He loves us simply because we exist.
Take the way-more-famous-in-utero-than-I'll-ever-be-outside-the-womb "Brangelina" twins. There are reports that the rights to their first photos could fetch up to $20 million. I'm baffled at the thought of someone willing to fork over such an outrageous sum of cash for pictures of babies who have done little more in their days-old lives than eat, sleep and necessitate diaper changes.
But therein lies the key to their appeal. They haven't done anything of great significance. Their worth (by gossip magazine standards, anyway) lies not in what they do, not even in who they are as individuals, but in whose they are. Because their parents are two of the most famous movie stars in the world, they are instant stars, destined for a lifetime of celebrity status regardless of who they grow up to be or what they choose to do in life. They will always be identified as Brad and Angelina's children.
While my hackles have been a little bit raised over the thought of millions of dollars being spent on baby photos, this is serving as a reminder that my own value lies not in what I do, or who I am, but rather in whose I am. I am a child of God--and that alone is enough to warrant undue love and attention from an everlasting Father. The apostle John sums up our identity:
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (I John 3:1a)
Furthermore, God loves us all equally, regardless of our backgrounds, our financial situations, our marital status, how many children we have, where we work, or any other variables. As Paul reminds us in his letter to the Galatians, we are all on equal footing when it comes to our identity in Christ:
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3: 26-29)
If Paul were writing this letter today, he might add something like this: There is neither student nor teacher, single nor married, childless nor parent, homemaker nor executive, homeless nor millionaire...
It doesn't matter who we are or what we do. We've done nothing to earn the love of God. And, as Paul points out in Romans, we can do nothing to lose His love, either.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)
The next time you hear a news story about another celebrity baby or spot a million-dollar baby photo on the cover of a magazine, let me encourage you to use that as a reminder of your value in being a child of God. He loves us simply because we exist.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Sanctified Ignorance
"Sanctified ignorance is the belief that if we love God and have committed our lives to Him, everything will work out. And sanctified ignorance is immature theology. If you get up each morning with a clean slate, being open to whatever may happen that day, you will live a life of mediocrity. It is not the path of accomplishment, of excellence, of maximizing our impact and witness. The path of least resistance--just going where it seems to go--creates very crooked streams and very frustrated Christians. The truly godly life is one of focused purpose, having, like Paul, defined the goal and created a plan for its accomplishment." (Dan Miller, 48 Days to the Work You Love, pg. 52)
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
How Do You Measure Productivity?
As my workload both at work and home have increased, I find myself depending more and more on my to-do lists. Not only do they take some of the pressure off of my over-taxed memory, but they also provide a certain amount of satisfaction in being able to scratch through tasks that I've tackled.
However, it is far too easy for me to define a "productive" day as one in which multiple items are scratched off my to-do list. For one thing, I may work on several different projects in a given day but not complete any of them, so when I leave work at the end of the day without labeling any projects as "done", it can be quite discouraging.
Furthermore, I'm realizing that what I deem productive and what God deems productive may be two very different things. I may get six projects done--but did I do them with excellence? Did I do my best? Did I have a good attitude while I did them? Did I pass up opportunities to serve others because I was too focused on getting my own work done?
When I come home at the end of the day and reflect on my work, I'm trying to stop focusing on my to-do list, and instead asking myself these questions:
-What did I learn about God today?
-What did I learn about myself today?
-How did I see God at work today?
-How was my attitude toward my work, my co-workers and others today?
-Did I do my best?
-How did I react when a problem or setback came my way today?
Viewing my day in light of these questions radically changes my outlook on productivity. How about you--how do YOU define a productive day?
However, it is far too easy for me to define a "productive" day as one in which multiple items are scratched off my to-do list. For one thing, I may work on several different projects in a given day but not complete any of them, so when I leave work at the end of the day without labeling any projects as "done", it can be quite discouraging.
Furthermore, I'm realizing that what I deem productive and what God deems productive may be two very different things. I may get six projects done--but did I do them with excellence? Did I do my best? Did I have a good attitude while I did them? Did I pass up opportunities to serve others because I was too focused on getting my own work done?
When I come home at the end of the day and reflect on my work, I'm trying to stop focusing on my to-do list, and instead asking myself these questions:
-What did I learn about God today?
-What did I learn about myself today?
-How did I see God at work today?
-How was my attitude toward my work, my co-workers and others today?
-Did I do my best?
-How did I react when a problem or setback came my way today?
Viewing my day in light of these questions radically changes my outlook on productivity. How about you--how do YOU define a productive day?
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Stubbornness
Last night I tossed and turned a good deal of the night. My body was tired but my mind was racing. Lately I've been feeling my stress level inch northward bit by bit. Our biggest meeting of the year at work is coming up in less than three weeks, and I still have plenty to do to prepare for it.
As if that wasn't stressful enough, just a week after returning from the meeting, I'll be taking off for my mission trip to Guatemala. Honestly, I've been so focused on the meeting that Guatemala has been put on the backburner of my mind. But suddenly I'm realizing that I have a lot of shopping and packing to do for the trip. And I'm starting to get a little freaked out.
As I lay in bed last night I felt a nudge to turn on my bedside lamp and spend time in prayer. Stubbornly, I ignored the nudge, trying to convince myself that sleep was impending. I offered up some half-hearted prayers for sleep and peace and continued my tossing and turning.
Then I felt an impression to read Psalm 120. I didn't even know what Psalm 120 said off the top of my head. Once again, my stubbornness kicked in and I chose instead to stay in bed and hope to salvage at least a few hours of rest.
God, in His infinite mercy, did grant me sleep at last. But I am certain that my sleep would have come more quickly, and been much more restful, had I set aside stubbornness and pride and instead spent time talking with Him about all the events going on that I'm feeling stressed out about.
After getting out of bed this morning, I flipped open my Bible to Psalm 120. Sheepishly, I read the first verse:
I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.
I couldn't help but laugh at how silly I am sometimes. Even after all these years of leaning on God, I still struggle at times to give up that control and pour our my heart to Him. When will I ever learn?
As if that wasn't stressful enough, just a week after returning from the meeting, I'll be taking off for my mission trip to Guatemala. Honestly, I've been so focused on the meeting that Guatemala has been put on the backburner of my mind. But suddenly I'm realizing that I have a lot of shopping and packing to do for the trip. And I'm starting to get a little freaked out.
As I lay in bed last night I felt a nudge to turn on my bedside lamp and spend time in prayer. Stubbornly, I ignored the nudge, trying to convince myself that sleep was impending. I offered up some half-hearted prayers for sleep and peace and continued my tossing and turning.
Then I felt an impression to read Psalm 120. I didn't even know what Psalm 120 said off the top of my head. Once again, my stubbornness kicked in and I chose instead to stay in bed and hope to salvage at least a few hours of rest.
God, in His infinite mercy, did grant me sleep at last. But I am certain that my sleep would have come more quickly, and been much more restful, had I set aside stubbornness and pride and instead spent time talking with Him about all the events going on that I'm feeling stressed out about.
After getting out of bed this morning, I flipped open my Bible to Psalm 120. Sheepishly, I read the first verse:
I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.
I couldn't help but laugh at how silly I am sometimes. Even after all these years of leaning on God, I still struggle at times to give up that control and pour our my heart to Him. When will I ever learn?
Friday, July 04, 2008
Freedom to Worship
There are many freedoms to reflect upon this Independence Day (the freedom to surf an uncensored 'Net being one of them), but this week I'm especially reminded of the freedom to worship God openly. I take for granted the freedom to pray before a meal in the middle of a crowded restaurant, or to listen to Christian music over the loudspeaker in certain stores, or to have my choose of churches in the Deep South where there is a church on every corner.
On Wednesday night at church we saw a couple who had just flown home from China, where they are doing mission work. I wondered if it was a bit of a shock to their system (in a good way) to suddenly be back in a country where they can worship openly, without fear of being arrested or losing their jobs.
I have very mixed emotions about China playing host to the Olympics. While I take issue with their attitudes on human rights, censorship, etc., I am prayerful that the Olympics will provide a stage in which persecution can be exposed and abolished. However, I have a feeling that those who do suffer persecution--in China and all around the world--for their faith probably appreciate every ounce of freedom they have, much more than those of us who live in countries where Christianity is still accepted.
As you mark this day of freedom, let me encourage you to celebrate the freedom we have to worship God how we want, when we want, where we want. We have so much to be thankful for. Certainly I am thankful for the men and women in our military who have fought for and continue to guard our freedom here in the U.S. I am even more thankful for the freedom we have to live in Christ, because of His sacrifice of His own life for us. For us Christians, every day is Independence Day.
Happy 4th, everyone!
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