Continuing on from my previous post- I find it fascinating the decision to draw close to God despite the obvious acknowledgement of unworthiness.
David returned to God.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Similar story with Jonah, who recognized his despair.
To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you, Lord my God,
brought my life up from the pit.
Gideon got to see God's provision, despite initial hesitation.
Thus Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. During Gideon’s lifetime, the land had peace forty years.
Lately I have been thinking about the decisions people, and myself, make. How the results of decisions are very consistent with the values of which they are made. What's the rock of my decision making, and how could it be better? (decisions can always be better) How am I improving others with my decisions, or is it just about how I can benefit? The decisions David, Jonah, Gideon, and many other biblical people make, all have that interesting turning point from self-service decision making, to God praising/glorifying decision making. From that comes the benefit of others, and the fulfillment of the role He has made me for.
Important end-note: God honoring people help with this particular goal ;) and He has blessed me with what I need!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Consistency (As We Do Today) Part 1
I've had a hard time thinking about things to write lately! Lately I have dived into the spoken language much more then the written. Which is odd considering I used to be a much bigger fan of the latter....
In anycase, it came to me during men's bible study a topic to write on that I am pretty on fire about, consistency. Pretending that I have blogged more then once in the last 2 months, I love seeing consistency in a few things.
One thing I love and purposefully seek out in people is a mindset. How do they decide how to do things? Why do they feel that is the best method to go about this decision? You'd be surprised how much you can learn from others...I find it interesting how a person will come upon multiple situations in life and yet tend to make very similar choices. Usually the decision is based off past experience. If none exists, moral/ethical/belief system. (or even a mix between the two) and if that doesn't exist, emotion or a logical prediction of an outcome based on what has been witnessed in life thus far. (<--which is very variable if you think about it) Possibly a few others that don't immediately come to mind.
I guess what I'm saying is the consistency in what I have witnessed in this area is that there's always a rock. A deciding factor, or a basis for decisions. Always. And from what I have noticed, that basis will determine how a life is lived. People will tend to face very similar situations, and react very differently. It makes me question how I make decisions.
Something I find interesting while going through the old testament lately is that the people then and the people now are very consistent in at least one area that sticks out to me. People can choose to be with God and they can choose not to, and that one decision will affect every other one a person makes- directly or indirectly.
If I pay attention, I notice consistent theme's in God's word. One of the ones that have jumped out to me lately, (with the help of my awesome wife!) is how people in the old testament have the exact same decision to make as we do today! They knew, (as do we) what is was that was required to be considered "good enough" for God. They also knew, as we do today, that nobody met the requirements.
Sadly, for people then and now- the decision tree stops there. Too many people I know today don't consider themselves good enough, without even seeing the beauty of that very realization being step one. Just the slightest bit of more digging would beg (what I hope anyway) a very revealing question- How is it that if nobody in the bible was good enough for God, (Christ excluded) there are a number of people "after God's own heart?" Clearly it must be because those particular people were indeed good enough...Right?
2 Samuel 11:26-27
When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.
Back story- King David (that is, KING of GOD's people) basically impregnates a woman, then arranges an army's battle plan so that her husband (woops- married.) goes first, and dies. Shady.
Jonah (not even kidding you- favorite book/story in the bible) God calls this dude directly!
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
Instead, Jonah pulls what could quite possibly be the most notorious "peace out" ever recorded.
But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.
We just recently went over the story of Gideon at our church. Fascinating really. Maybe not as well known as the previous two. This is a guy that God calls to lead an army of Israel out of oppression. Except Gideon cites...
“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
To which God responds...
The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites (oppressors), leaving none alive.”
Hmm- this is getting a little long..Stay Tuned for Part 2!
In anycase, it came to me during men's bible study a topic to write on that I am pretty on fire about, consistency. Pretending that I have blogged more then once in the last 2 months, I love seeing consistency in a few things.
One thing I love and purposefully seek out in people is a mindset. How do they decide how to do things? Why do they feel that is the best method to go about this decision? You'd be surprised how much you can learn from others...I find it interesting how a person will come upon multiple situations in life and yet tend to make very similar choices. Usually the decision is based off past experience. If none exists, moral/ethical/belief system. (or even a mix between the two) and if that doesn't exist, emotion or a logical prediction of an outcome based on what has been witnessed in life thus far. (<--which is very variable if you think about it) Possibly a few others that don't immediately come to mind.
I guess what I'm saying is the consistency in what I have witnessed in this area is that there's always a rock. A deciding factor, or a basis for decisions. Always. And from what I have noticed, that basis will determine how a life is lived. People will tend to face very similar situations, and react very differently. It makes me question how I make decisions.
Something I find interesting while going through the old testament lately is that the people then and the people now are very consistent in at least one area that sticks out to me. People can choose to be with God and they can choose not to, and that one decision will affect every other one a person makes- directly or indirectly.
If I pay attention, I notice consistent theme's in God's word. One of the ones that have jumped out to me lately, (with the help of my awesome wife!) is how people in the old testament have the exact same decision to make as we do today! They knew, (as do we) what is was that was required to be considered "good enough" for God. They also knew, as we do today, that nobody met the requirements.
Sadly, for people then and now- the decision tree stops there. Too many people I know today don't consider themselves good enough, without even seeing the beauty of that very realization being step one. Just the slightest bit of more digging would beg (what I hope anyway) a very revealing question- How is it that if nobody in the bible was good enough for God, (Christ excluded) there are a number of people "after God's own heart?" Clearly it must be because those particular people were indeed good enough...Right?
2 Samuel 11:26-27
When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.
Back story- King David (that is, KING of GOD's people) basically impregnates a woman, then arranges an army's battle plan so that her husband (woops- married.) goes first, and dies. Shady.
Jonah (not even kidding you- favorite book/story in the bible) God calls this dude directly!
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
Instead, Jonah pulls what could quite possibly be the most notorious "peace out" ever recorded.
But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.
We just recently went over the story of Gideon at our church. Fascinating really. Maybe not as well known as the previous two. This is a guy that God calls to lead an army of Israel out of oppression. Except Gideon cites...
“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
To which God responds...
The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites (oppressors), leaving none alive.”
Hmm- this is getting a little long..Stay Tuned for Part 2!
Monday, October 24, 2011
This Is It!
This is what I have been brought back to Hampton Roads for.
A sequence of events would probably help.
Called away from comfort/familiarity. Almost 2 years ago from today God called me out of Northern Virginia. Devastated at the time as I was hoping that would be the area He called me to permanently. As I was called from everything I knew and loved, (back to a place I knew and hated) Jeremiah 29:11 was the only reasonable explanation to what was happening- even though at the time I had no idea...For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God provides for Jen to be able to come down and join me. Crazy at the time. we weren't even engaged and yet she trusts God telling her to move, and me not up and deciding we weren't going to work out. A bold move on her part. But God provided for a job and place to live. A slight inclination/confirmation we are indeed supposed to be in the Hampton Roads area, but as for what exactly we weren't sure yet. But we were taught that resources (something we as people hold so tightly to, plan, schedule, and stress how to make them provide for us) are literally limitless to God; and He gives according to His will. Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Allows a role in work that I actually enjoy. Rough transition, but about a year and a half into it I can see myself doing this for the rest of my life. Work I want to do, and not work I feel like I need to do in order to make money. (<-- big difference) Without even realizing it, God knew that if I stayed in my current position as an outside plant fiber tech, I would have hated it and it would have adverse effects on me as a person. Doing something you hate indefinitely is a horrible idea...I'm sure an example can be found in your life (it can in mine) of what that eventually leads to. How can you work like Colossians 3:23 tells you to without being designed for the task at hand? Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Provides a church home. Not gonna lie, when first approaching the idea of finding a church down here I was so skeptical that I already resigned to the idea that we will just have to find one good enough or close enough to what we believe, because that's all that existed. Foolishly forgetting that if God called us to the area, then why would he not provide a church home?! Foolishly believing that facts and trends dictate truth, and not the other way around. He not only provided the perfect church home (Crossroads Norfolk) He actually provided two. The first one wasn't exactly for us per say, but through it we found Crossroads, and God is definitely moving in that church in exciting ways. I continue to keep tabs on what's happening in it and am encouraged by what I see! They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)
Provided relationships of impact, challenge, and life change for His kingdom. I'll never forget my final bible study with the guys at Chris's place. It was sad. I didn't want to go! But I remember when prayer requests came around to me I mentioned that I felt God called me to Northern VA not permanently, but to change and equip me for what I was leaving to do. I had no clue what it was at the time, but the amount of change I had undergone wasn't so I could just be a better person, but so that I had the tools and boldness to do His work where He wanted me to do it. Which is here, in hampton roads, for now. Just this past weekend we got to fellowship with 2 amazing couples who have already impacted us more then they probably know, and hopefully us them.
How easy it is to look at our situation and contribute it to a random sequence of happenstance, coincidence, and fortune....Except God isn't a God of distance. But rather a personal God who draws close to those who draw close to Him....(James 4:8) Despite my MANY Flaws.
A sequence of events would probably help.
Called away from comfort/familiarity. Almost 2 years ago from today God called me out of Northern Virginia. Devastated at the time as I was hoping that would be the area He called me to permanently. As I was called from everything I knew and loved, (back to a place I knew and hated) Jeremiah 29:11 was the only reasonable explanation to what was happening- even though at the time I had no idea...For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God provides for Jen to be able to come down and join me. Crazy at the time. we weren't even engaged and yet she trusts God telling her to move, and me not up and deciding we weren't going to work out. A bold move on her part. But God provided for a job and place to live. A slight inclination/confirmation we are indeed supposed to be in the Hampton Roads area, but as for what exactly we weren't sure yet. But we were taught that resources (something we as people hold so tightly to, plan, schedule, and stress how to make them provide for us) are literally limitless to God; and He gives according to His will. Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Allows a role in work that I actually enjoy. Rough transition, but about a year and a half into it I can see myself doing this for the rest of my life. Work I want to do, and not work I feel like I need to do in order to make money. (<-- big difference) Without even realizing it, God knew that if I stayed in my current position as an outside plant fiber tech, I would have hated it and it would have adverse effects on me as a person. Doing something you hate indefinitely is a horrible idea...I'm sure an example can be found in your life (it can in mine) of what that eventually leads to. How can you work like Colossians 3:23 tells you to without being designed for the task at hand? Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Provides a church home. Not gonna lie, when first approaching the idea of finding a church down here I was so skeptical that I already resigned to the idea that we will just have to find one good enough or close enough to what we believe, because that's all that existed. Foolishly forgetting that if God called us to the area, then why would he not provide a church home?! Foolishly believing that facts and trends dictate truth, and not the other way around. He not only provided the perfect church home (Crossroads Norfolk) He actually provided two. The first one wasn't exactly for us per say, but through it we found Crossroads, and God is definitely moving in that church in exciting ways. I continue to keep tabs on what's happening in it and am encouraged by what I see! They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)
Provided relationships of impact, challenge, and life change for His kingdom. I'll never forget my final bible study with the guys at Chris's place. It was sad. I didn't want to go! But I remember when prayer requests came around to me I mentioned that I felt God called me to Northern VA not permanently, but to change and equip me for what I was leaving to do. I had no clue what it was at the time, but the amount of change I had undergone wasn't so I could just be a better person, but so that I had the tools and boldness to do His work where He wanted me to do it. Which is here, in hampton roads, for now. Just this past weekend we got to fellowship with 2 amazing couples who have already impacted us more then they probably know, and hopefully us them.
How easy it is to look at our situation and contribute it to a random sequence of happenstance, coincidence, and fortune....Except God isn't a God of distance. But rather a personal God who draws close to those who draw close to Him....(James 4:8) Despite my MANY Flaws.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Because There's More to Life Then Being Really Really Ridiculously Good Looking
This past weekend I had the chance to volunteer at a 200 mile run relay race called Ragnar.
Ragnar is a relay race done all over the country. This particular race was held from Cumberland Maryland, to National Harbor, DC. Me, Jen, and Seth Klein volunteered for our friends who were running in the race.
Quick rundown of Ragnar- teams of 12 people taking turns running over a 24+ hour time period to reach the finish line 200 miles away. Intense yes? A lot of our close friends signed up together and have been training since spring to accomplish this task. 284 teams participated. Our friend's team name was "Blue Steel Projekt."
First off, we got the BEST volunteer position in my opinion. It's a position that if I were in any other, I would look at and wish I was doing. We got to welcome the runners across this finish line and hand out medals/water!
Man, that was an awesome role to play. A first hand look at the faces of accomplishment. It inspired me to want to do it SO bad. (I haven't ruled it out yet)
Sadly, our shift did not last until our friends crossed. But we did get to talk to them and hang out a bit before they did "officially cross" the finish line. Teams are in a back stage sort of area shortly before the finish line waiting for the last runner to finish their leg. Back there I saw some interesting things..
1. One team carried one of their injured runners across with them. I don't know if she ran and got injured on the run or what, but I thought that was pretty cool.
2. Some teams just didn't care at all when they crossed the finish line. I mean, I get having no feeling after a 24+ hour run with "sleep" stops scheduled in- but why would you not celebrate? How could you not be moved to express some sort of celebratory emotion? Is this just another event in their running career? If I am on a team- that's mandatory. We aren't crossing (no matter how tired we are, or how much our relationships were destroyed in the process...hehe) without passionate screaming, waving, and giving sweaty hugs to strangers.
On the contrary- Blue Steel Projekt
I got to talk to them before they crossed and heard amazing stories of accomplishment, craziness, and inspiration. awesome to hear how God worked through their entire process. I wish I got a photo of kruz's (barefoot guy) "speed suit" beforehand....epic.
It reminded a lesson Nova taught me along time ago. Runners are crazy. Not just the type of people who say out there things every once in a while crazy, no, a special kind of crazy that involves stories that belong in books and on blogs crazy.
Between starting this blog and finishing it I agreed to run a 5k for Breast Cancer October 15th...No 200 miles BUT- still excited. It will be my first official run.
Edit: This pretty much rounds up my point of runners entirely...(courtesy of Beth Sweatman!)
Ragnar is a relay race done all over the country. This particular race was held from Cumberland Maryland, to National Harbor, DC. Me, Jen, and Seth Klein volunteered for our friends who were running in the race.
Quick rundown of Ragnar- teams of 12 people taking turns running over a 24+ hour time period to reach the finish line 200 miles away. Intense yes? A lot of our close friends signed up together and have been training since spring to accomplish this task. 284 teams participated. Our friend's team name was "Blue Steel Projekt."
First off, we got the BEST volunteer position in my opinion. It's a position that if I were in any other, I would look at and wish I was doing. We got to welcome the runners across this finish line and hand out medals/water!
Sadly, our shift did not last until our friends crossed. But we did get to talk to them and hang out a bit before they did "officially cross" the finish line. Teams are in a back stage sort of area shortly before the finish line waiting for the last runner to finish their leg. Back there I saw some interesting things..
1. One team carried one of their injured runners across with them. I don't know if she ran and got injured on the run or what, but I thought that was pretty cool.
2. Some teams just didn't care at all when they crossed the finish line. I mean, I get having no feeling after a 24+ hour run with "sleep" stops scheduled in- but why would you not celebrate? How could you not be moved to express some sort of celebratory emotion? Is this just another event in their running career? If I am on a team- that's mandatory. We aren't crossing (no matter how tired we are, or how much our relationships were destroyed in the process...hehe) without passionate screaming, waving, and giving sweaty hugs to strangers.
On the contrary- Blue Steel Projekt
I got to talk to them before they crossed and heard amazing stories of accomplishment, craziness, and inspiration. awesome to hear how God worked through their entire process. I wish I got a photo of kruz's (barefoot guy) "speed suit" beforehand....epic.
It reminded a lesson Nova taught me along time ago. Runners are crazy. Not just the type of people who say out there things every once in a while crazy, no, a special kind of crazy that involves stories that belong in books and on blogs crazy.
Between starting this blog and finishing it I agreed to run a 5k for Breast Cancer October 15th...No 200 miles BUT- still excited. It will be my first official run.
Edit: This pretty much rounds up my point of runners entirely...(courtesy of Beth Sweatman!)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Life Lately- Boldness And A Passion Pursued.
-Soul Surfer is a fantastic movie. Carrie Underwood is a great singer. Unfortunately, someone decided to combine the two to create that which would later result in the executive decision to have her go from speaking roles in the first part of the film, to significantly looking at things in the latter. Still a great movie though and worth a watch.
-I have recently been in a lesson about boldness from God. I think the point is- what I would miss in life if I didn't take certain steps (sometimes out of shear terror)...for instance...
-Watched the season premier of survivor the other night. Ever wonder how you would socially react on that show? I do. A few seasons back there was a guy who was really interesting socially. He lied, cheated, stole, and promised a lot of people he would take them to the end.(where your fellow survivors get to vote if you win or not) He actually did make it to the end twice (no easy task) only to be shot down by voters who saw him for who he truly was. His claim to the money was that he played the game so well he deserved it, but in the end, non of the jury voted for him because of his character. I find that fascinating.
-I have recently been in a lesson about boldness from God. I think the point is- what I would miss in life if I didn't take certain steps (sometimes out of shear terror)...for instance...
- I would never have met my wife. In fact, I constantly tell her I bet some alternate version of myself is out there somewhere watching my life and kicking himself for never asking her out as he scores his 160th Fantasy Football victory in a row. Awesome? Yes. Guinness worthy? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely not. He knows and weeps this fact.
- I never would have experienced the moment of practicing God of This City with the lead guitarist from Crossroads, to then have the drummer unexpectedly add a beat to our session mid-song. Indescribable, and electrifying really.
- I wouldn't get to know people. Hear their stories, and learn from their experiences.
-Watched the season premier of survivor the other night. Ever wonder how you would socially react on that show? I do. A few seasons back there was a guy who was really interesting socially. He lied, cheated, stole, and promised a lot of people he would take them to the end.(where your fellow survivors get to vote if you win or not) He actually did make it to the end twice (no easy task) only to be shot down by voters who saw him for who he truly was. His claim to the money was that he played the game so well he deserved it, but in the end, non of the jury voted for him because of his character. I find that fascinating.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Hurricanes And Life Change
Wow....
I do love a good storm. We were just hit by a decent one this past weekend. Hurricane Irene. Our area (Suffolk) wasn't hit too badly thankfully. Some areas were hit worse then others. (Yep...that's a tunnel cars are supposed to drive through)
For the most part power is back in our area with a few spots still without. Some people are complaining about how over-hyped the hurricane was and in some areas that's true. I don't think the peninsula was hit too bad. Out west (Williamsburg and New Kent County) was the hardest hit of the areas.
In non-hurricane news, God has opened the door a little to my pursuit at Crossroads. I'm both shocked and amazed that it's actually going forward, but not guaranteed as of yet. Basically, I am looking to be one of the church's keyboard players; a role that for years the many voices from within have reaffirmed a suspicion that I am probably not good enough. My most significant and life-changing role's in the church have always been tied to the praise and worship section of it.
The funny thing about that voice of condemnation is that it subtly suggests I'm not good enough. Quietly whispering right along side my own self-doubts. that is, until I pursue. Then the voice screams I'm not good enough. Directly contrary to 2 Timothy 1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
In the process of the pursuit one of the things I had to tell myself was that the outcome of it is completely in God's control, not mine. If He wants me in this role I'll be there, or in another more suited to further His kingdom. As of now God has given the go-ahead, which is AWESOME because I have felt passionate about praise and worship for quite some time.
We will see where it goes!
I do love a good storm. We were just hit by a decent one this past weekend. Hurricane Irene. Our area (Suffolk) wasn't hit too badly thankfully. Some areas were hit worse then others. (Yep...that's a tunnel cars are supposed to drive through)
For the most part power is back in our area with a few spots still without. Some people are complaining about how over-hyped the hurricane was and in some areas that's true. I don't think the peninsula was hit too bad. Out west (Williamsburg and New Kent County) was the hardest hit of the areas.
In non-hurricane news, God has opened the door a little to my pursuit at Crossroads. I'm both shocked and amazed that it's actually going forward, but not guaranteed as of yet. Basically, I am looking to be one of the church's keyboard players; a role that for years the many voices from within have reaffirmed a suspicion that I am probably not good enough. My most significant and life-changing role's in the church have always been tied to the praise and worship section of it.
The funny thing about that voice of condemnation is that it subtly suggests I'm not good enough. Quietly whispering right along side my own self-doubts. that is, until I pursue. Then the voice screams I'm not good enough. Directly contrary to 2 Timothy 1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
In the process of the pursuit one of the things I had to tell myself was that the outcome of it is completely in God's control, not mine. If He wants me in this role I'll be there, or in another more suited to further His kingdom. As of now God has given the go-ahead, which is AWESOME because I have felt passionate about praise and worship for quite some time.
We will see where it goes!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Day 16 - A Song That You Used to Love but Now Hate
I don't hate this song so much as it has been filtered out of my song collection.
Without Me by Eminem.
Continuing the song challenge- I used to be a massive Eminem Fan. Why? Great question, not really sure. While talented at the construction of words in songs, most of his put you in a bad place mentally.
I think that's a point about music that a lot of people don't realize. What I listen to can and will dictate my thought life. This point reminds me of a quote from Mike Kelsey.....(Pastor at McLean Bible)
"They are a people who go astray in their heart." (Psalm 95:10) pay attention to your heart (thoughts, desires, affections) not just your behavior.
My music affects this greatly. What I once considered no big deal, God revealed that what I listen to is actually a very big deal.
Without Me by Eminem.
Continuing the song challenge- I used to be a massive Eminem Fan. Why? Great question, not really sure. While talented at the construction of words in songs, most of his put you in a bad place mentally.
I think that's a point about music that a lot of people don't realize. What I listen to can and will dictate my thought life. This point reminds me of a quote from Mike Kelsey.....(Pastor at McLean Bible)
"They are a people who go astray in their heart." (Psalm 95:10) pay attention to your heart (thoughts, desires, affections) not just your behavior.
My music affects this greatly. What I once considered no big deal, God revealed that what I listen to is actually a very big deal.
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