As 2018 is wrapping up my mind is moving towards this next year. In all honesty, my mind has been on this next year for a while. For half a decade my mind has seen 2019 as a transition year, but in the past five years a lot of other transitions have taken place to cement that this next year is going to be somewhat defining.
In 2019 I will complete grad school. I started this chapter of my academic journey in August 2014, fully intending for this to be the end of my formal classroom education. Back then I was focused on reentering full time church ministry as a pastor sometime in 2020, but that is no longer where my mind is at. I completed my first Master's degree in 2017, which really didn't feel like that big of an achievement since I was just rolling my credits into my M.Div, but now that this one is almost done, I'm really starting to look forward to the completion of grad school, I'm even planning to go to commencement, and really hoping I get to take my girls with me.
2019 will hopefully mark another ending. My divorce was finalized in October 2017, and I thought that was going to be the end of things, with my life transitioning to the next stage of being a single parent, working with my ex-wife to do what is best for our two girls. That was my plan, but it hasn't played out. I ended up having to file a contempt against my ex-wife early this year, and the legal process has continued to drag out, and add up, all year. We have another hearing this week, and though it most likely isn't going to conclude anything, hopefully it is one step closer and things will wrap up early in the year. I'm really ready for all of this legal junk to be done, it's been a financial burden, as well as a mental, emotional, possibly physical at times, and I hate that I've had to pour so much time, money, and energy into this. But, 2019 should mark the final conclusion of it, and hopefully I can move on to the next stage of life, and start creating again.
In 2019 my oldest daughter starts kindergarten, yeah that's crazy, and so depending on happens with the court stuff I'll probably be moving in order to be able to be closer and more involved in my girls lives. This has been something I've been prevented from doing due to some obligations with work, but this year those will all be met, and it will most likely be time to move on to what's next. This scares me a little bit, not going to lie. I've got a job that financially provides, is very generous with retirement contributions, and provides numerous other benefits, it has been a true blessing and has helped me get where I am. The possibility of stepping out of that is a little nerve wracking, but at the same time, I'm feeling an increasing sense of completion, and if 2019 brings about a completion, then it will be time to move forward.
I feel like 2019 is going to be a year of personal growth. 2018 marked the end of a three year search for identity, and since the retreat were I had a passage ceremony my mind has been on the next stage, passion. For so long I misunderstood what this stage looked like, and part of me still isn't sure what this looks like, but the key that I've realized is that passion is about recovery. I've been specifically focused on this for the past few months, but only recently have I started to wrap my mind around what this looks like for me personally. Identity took me three years to really discover, understand, and embody, and part of me thinks that this next stage may have a similar timeline. What I have realized so far has been good, but I know it is merely the beginning, and I'm looking forward to what this next year is going to teach me.
2019 holds some completions, some beginnings, and a lot of uncertainty. This has been a year I've been waiting for, though my life has changed a lot since I started looking forward to it. It's hard to believe that the time has come to take some of these steps, but I know that this is what I have been working towards these past five years. So as one chapter wraps up, we turn the page to see what the next one holds.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Turning 32, by Will
I've been trying to write this for over three weeks, started it three or four times. Usually these posts have been very simple to write, but this one is proving to be a bit of a challenge.
This past year has been a bit of a whirlwind. My divorce was finalized at the end of year 30, and so year 31 looked as if it was going to be settling into the new normal, unfortunately that has not been the case. The legal battle has continued to drag out, still wondering why a lot of the time, but hopefully before I turn 33 this will all finally be over. If would appreciate your prayers as this moves towards what will hopefully be the final conclusion to that chapter of my life, as well as this next phase I'm about to enter into.
Aside from that, much of this past year has felt like I've been in a non-stop state of moving. For most of this past year I was working four ten hour days, and then spending my time Friday to Sunday with my girls, and trying to fit school in there between all of that. It's been a pretty exhausting year, but I've loved the time I've had with my girls and wouldn't trade any of it. We've hiked a lot, taken some great day trips to Michigan, Kentucky, and around Ohio, watched Frozen and Moana more times than I can count, and been on a ton of daddy daughter dates. I've loved every second of it.
This year has been good for me personally. This past year marked the end of the first stage of my journey towards intentional self-discovery. For three years I have been focused on identity, and over the summer at our annual retreat I took part in a ceremony which marked the end of this first stage. It was a meaningful and significant moment that I needed, and I'm glad I got to share it with my brothers. You can read more about this in the posts I wrote back in August (Journey parts 1, 2, and 3).
As this first stage, the identity stage, has wrapped up my mind has been trying to focus on the next aspect, what I'm calling the passion stage. I didn't end up doing my annual vision quest this year, life just didn't allow for it this summer, and when it did the weather didn't cooperate, but in spite of not being able to spend a night alone with God in the woods, He did give me some insight into how my focus has been off. I took an evening over the summer and went and sat in my hammock (I bought a hammock this year) by a lake as the sun was setting. I made some notes on identity, trying to capture everything I had come to understand about it over the past three years, and then I tried to write about the next stages, Passion and Destiny, but found myself getting stuck, especially when it came to Passion. In that moment I realized that this is where God and I are going next.
In the past year, I've really began to enjoy the process more. Part of me still gets impatient at times and would love to speed through to the end, but more an more I've found myself enjoying the moment, finding contentment in the here and now, and that has brought a lot of freedom and joy. My mind still goes a year, or 20, down the road, but I've learned to not let myself get so caught up in the future that I sacrifice today, and that has been so good for my soul.
As I enter this next year of life, I'm looking at some big changes. I'll be wrapping up my graduate studies after five years, and I'm actually planning on going to commencement, although I can't figure out why the university planned it for Mother's Day weekend. With the pending changes as a result of these ongoing legal issues I'm not sure where my life will take me after that, I've got a couple ideas of where I'd like to end up, a bit of vision for what I think would be cool based on the vision I feel that God has given me, but I'm trying to not get so caught up with that to the point where I sacrifice the moment.
A lot has changed in the past twelve months, and a lot more is going to change in the next twelve. I'm curious to see what I report at 33.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
This past year has been a bit of a whirlwind. My divorce was finalized at the end of year 30, and so year 31 looked as if it was going to be settling into the new normal, unfortunately that has not been the case. The legal battle has continued to drag out, still wondering why a lot of the time, but hopefully before I turn 33 this will all finally be over. If would appreciate your prayers as this moves towards what will hopefully be the final conclusion to that chapter of my life, as well as this next phase I'm about to enter into.
Aside from that, much of this past year has felt like I've been in a non-stop state of moving. For most of this past year I was working four ten hour days, and then spending my time Friday to Sunday with my girls, and trying to fit school in there between all of that. It's been a pretty exhausting year, but I've loved the time I've had with my girls and wouldn't trade any of it. We've hiked a lot, taken some great day trips to Michigan, Kentucky, and around Ohio, watched Frozen and Moana more times than I can count, and been on a ton of daddy daughter dates. I've loved every second of it.
This year has been good for me personally. This past year marked the end of the first stage of my journey towards intentional self-discovery. For three years I have been focused on identity, and over the summer at our annual retreat I took part in a ceremony which marked the end of this first stage. It was a meaningful and significant moment that I needed, and I'm glad I got to share it with my brothers. You can read more about this in the posts I wrote back in August (Journey parts 1, 2, and 3).
As this first stage, the identity stage, has wrapped up my mind has been trying to focus on the next aspect, what I'm calling the passion stage. I didn't end up doing my annual vision quest this year, life just didn't allow for it this summer, and when it did the weather didn't cooperate, but in spite of not being able to spend a night alone with God in the woods, He did give me some insight into how my focus has been off. I took an evening over the summer and went and sat in my hammock (I bought a hammock this year) by a lake as the sun was setting. I made some notes on identity, trying to capture everything I had come to understand about it over the past three years, and then I tried to write about the next stages, Passion and Destiny, but found myself getting stuck, especially when it came to Passion. In that moment I realized that this is where God and I are going next.
In the past year, I've really began to enjoy the process more. Part of me still gets impatient at times and would love to speed through to the end, but more an more I've found myself enjoying the moment, finding contentment in the here and now, and that has brought a lot of freedom and joy. My mind still goes a year, or 20, down the road, but I've learned to not let myself get so caught up in the future that I sacrifice today, and that has been so good for my soul.
As I enter this next year of life, I'm looking at some big changes. I'll be wrapping up my graduate studies after five years, and I'm actually planning on going to commencement, although I can't figure out why the university planned it for Mother's Day weekend. With the pending changes as a result of these ongoing legal issues I'm not sure where my life will take me after that, I've got a couple ideas of where I'd like to end up, a bit of vision for what I think would be cool based on the vision I feel that God has given me, but I'm trying to not get so caught up with that to the point where I sacrifice the moment.
A lot has changed in the past twelve months, and a lot more is going to change in the next twelve. I'm curious to see what I report at 33.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Monday, November 12, 2018
Surprise Surprise!! by Aaron
So a few months ago I came home from work and my wife set down a pregnancy test in front of me. The pregnancy test was positive. The look on my face was complete shock. I did not say anything at all, my wife and I just started laughing for some reason. We have a four year old toddler and a ten month old infant. My world was rocked in a matter of seconds.
Our plan was always to have three children. Our plan was to wait until the youngest was at least 2 or 3 years old before we even tried to have our third child. As it turns out, God definitely had different plans for us. We just bought a little house close to my new job and things were good. We have the right amount of bedrooms for the four of us and we were going to be comfortable for a few years before our third child was going to come.
It took a few weeks for me to really wrap my mind around the concept of us having a third child so soon. I was happy, but at the same time it was not a part of our plan. I began to think of the worst things each day. I would ask myself, do I make enough money to provide for five family members? Do I have enough energy for three children? Do I have enough patience for three kids? The questions just kept on coming as each day began to pass.
Finally, I felt like the Lord woke me up. One day, I felt this peace come over my body. I felt like the Lord was saying, Aaron I know this is not a part of your plan. But this is a part of My plan. I was being so selfish and my mindset was so negative, I almost forgot how great of a gift this was. The Holy Spirit is beginning to mold me for this third (and last) child that we are going to bring into this world. The Lord has given us this beautiful gift and moved up our calendar.
My wife and I are both so happy that we are going to be having this baby. We finally just said to each other, if the Lord wants us to have this baby now then we are going to love on this baby. I know we will struggle initially because we will have two babies that are younger than 2 years old, but we are excited about the challenge. We are excited to pray for our third child and excited to raise him up to know Christ. We are excited for this child to have two older brothers for protection. We are excited for our family of five. It took a little time, but we are excited for this gift God has given us.
So I just wanted to encourage others that if something has come into your life that is a surprise, to really meditate on why this has been presented to you. Is it something God has given to you? Is it something that you need to get rid of so that you can get on the right path with the Lord? Really pray and listen to what the Father has to say to you. Sometimes God brings things unexpectedly into your life. The way we handle these unexpected events, will effect how we grow with the Lord. So pray that God gets you out of your comfort zone, so your faith can grow. But to be honest, whether you pray for it our not, God is gonna bring some BIG Surprises in your life. Hopefully you handled it a little better than I did initially! God bless!
-Aaron
Our plan was always to have three children. Our plan was to wait until the youngest was at least 2 or 3 years old before we even tried to have our third child. As it turns out, God definitely had different plans for us. We just bought a little house close to my new job and things were good. We have the right amount of bedrooms for the four of us and we were going to be comfortable for a few years before our third child was going to come.
It took a few weeks for me to really wrap my mind around the concept of us having a third child so soon. I was happy, but at the same time it was not a part of our plan. I began to think of the worst things each day. I would ask myself, do I make enough money to provide for five family members? Do I have enough energy for three children? Do I have enough patience for three kids? The questions just kept on coming as each day began to pass.
Finally, I felt like the Lord woke me up. One day, I felt this peace come over my body. I felt like the Lord was saying, Aaron I know this is not a part of your plan. But this is a part of My plan. I was being so selfish and my mindset was so negative, I almost forgot how great of a gift this was. The Holy Spirit is beginning to mold me for this third (and last) child that we are going to bring into this world. The Lord has given us this beautiful gift and moved up our calendar.
My wife and I are both so happy that we are going to be having this baby. We finally just said to each other, if the Lord wants us to have this baby now then we are going to love on this baby. I know we will struggle initially because we will have two babies that are younger than 2 years old, but we are excited about the challenge. We are excited to pray for our third child and excited to raise him up to know Christ. We are excited for this child to have two older brothers for protection. We are excited for our family of five. It took a little time, but we are excited for this gift God has given us.
So I just wanted to encourage others that if something has come into your life that is a surprise, to really meditate on why this has been presented to you. Is it something God has given to you? Is it something that you need to get rid of so that you can get on the right path with the Lord? Really pray and listen to what the Father has to say to you. Sometimes God brings things unexpectedly into your life. The way we handle these unexpected events, will effect how we grow with the Lord. So pray that God gets you out of your comfort zone, so your faith can grow. But to be honest, whether you pray for it our not, God is gonna bring some BIG Surprises in your life. Hopefully you handled it a little better than I did initially! God bless!
-Aaron
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Forged, by Will
I've written about this before, but I don't think it was on this blog. The process of making a traditional Japanese katana has been on my mind recently, and it's something that has stood out to me for years. It's an amazing process that produces the most perfect swords the world has ever known.
The sword begins with an iron sand called tamahagane that is heated until it becomes solid metal. At this point the best pieces are selected and sent to the sword smith, a master craftsman, who takes the pieces he has received and further evaluates them, selecting only the best of those pieces to be forged into the sword. The process begins, the steel is heated, hammered, folded, over and over until the individual pieces become a unified whole. The blade is formed, heated and cooled, coated with clay, baked and cooled to give it the shape as well as different hardness between the edge and spine of the blade (this gives the cutting edge strength and durability, while allowing the spine to absorb vibrations from the impact of another sword during a fight).
When the blade is finally completed it is sharpened, polished, and then the handle is wrapped and it is fitted for a scabbard. The entire process takes around six months for a single sword, but when it is completed you have the perfect blade. The way the edge is formed makes it so that the sword almost never needs to be resharpened. The way that the steel is folded makes for a nearly indestructible blade. These things are amazing, beautiful, deadly, and I really want one, but the $3,500 price tag (and that's for a new one made in the traditional method here in the states) is a bit too high for me to justify.
This imagery has stood out in my mind as being relevant for so many things in life. It's perfect for a marriage, broken pieces becoming one and forming something amazing. It's an image of redemption, God taking something common, the dust of the earth, and making an amazing weapon He will use for His kingdom.
In all this, the thing that keeps hitting me at the moment is the process. Making a katana is an art form that is done by a master. These blades are deadly, and need to be wielded by a master. I've realized that as much as I would love to be the Samurai in this image, I'm not, and I'm not the blade smith either. In this image, I'm the tamahagane sand. God is the one who takes this sand and turns it into something He can use for His glory. It isn't an easy process, nor is it a fast one. It is slow, tedious, and intentional, but the end result is perfection.
The past few years of my life has been a time of forging. I've been heated, hammered, folded, over and over, and I feel that maybe God is finally starting to do some shaping of the blade, that's a big maybe. The process is slow and intense, but it's intentional and the end result is flawless perfection.
When I read the Bible I see that everything is moving towards this state of perfected restoration; God is taking creation back to the beginning, back to the garden. Eternity will not be a time of sitting on clouds playing harps, but a time where man has an assigned task of ruling the earth and subduing it, fulfilling the original assignment of Eden. With this in mind, I see this life as the forging process. God uses the trials we face to form, sharpen, and polish the blade, and it is at death when the katana is finished, placed in the scabbard, and presented to the warrior for use in battle.
This life is merely preparation for the next one, and it is in that life where we will fulfill God's original design.
Embrace the process of forging, knowing you are being shaped by a master in order to be wielded by a master.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
The sword begins with an iron sand called tamahagane that is heated until it becomes solid metal. At this point the best pieces are selected and sent to the sword smith, a master craftsman, who takes the pieces he has received and further evaluates them, selecting only the best of those pieces to be forged into the sword. The process begins, the steel is heated, hammered, folded, over and over until the individual pieces become a unified whole. The blade is formed, heated and cooled, coated with clay, baked and cooled to give it the shape as well as different hardness between the edge and spine of the blade (this gives the cutting edge strength and durability, while allowing the spine to absorb vibrations from the impact of another sword during a fight).
When the blade is finally completed it is sharpened, polished, and then the handle is wrapped and it is fitted for a scabbard. The entire process takes around six months for a single sword, but when it is completed you have the perfect blade. The way the edge is formed makes it so that the sword almost never needs to be resharpened. The way that the steel is folded makes for a nearly indestructible blade. These things are amazing, beautiful, deadly, and I really want one, but the $3,500 price tag (and that's for a new one made in the traditional method here in the states) is a bit too high for me to justify.
This imagery has stood out in my mind as being relevant for so many things in life. It's perfect for a marriage, broken pieces becoming one and forming something amazing. It's an image of redemption, God taking something common, the dust of the earth, and making an amazing weapon He will use for His kingdom.
In all this, the thing that keeps hitting me at the moment is the process. Making a katana is an art form that is done by a master. These blades are deadly, and need to be wielded by a master. I've realized that as much as I would love to be the Samurai in this image, I'm not, and I'm not the blade smith either. In this image, I'm the tamahagane sand. God is the one who takes this sand and turns it into something He can use for His glory. It isn't an easy process, nor is it a fast one. It is slow, tedious, and intentional, but the end result is perfection.
The past few years of my life has been a time of forging. I've been heated, hammered, folded, over and over, and I feel that maybe God is finally starting to do some shaping of the blade, that's a big maybe. The process is slow and intense, but it's intentional and the end result is flawless perfection.
When I read the Bible I see that everything is moving towards this state of perfected restoration; God is taking creation back to the beginning, back to the garden. Eternity will not be a time of sitting on clouds playing harps, but a time where man has an assigned task of ruling the earth and subduing it, fulfilling the original assignment of Eden. With this in mind, I see this life as the forging process. God uses the trials we face to form, sharpen, and polish the blade, and it is at death when the katana is finished, placed in the scabbard, and presented to the warrior for use in battle.
This life is merely preparation for the next one, and it is in that life where we will fulfill God's original design.
Embrace the process of forging, knowing you are being shaped by a master in order to be wielded by a master.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Pursuing Truth is Often...Pointless by Jacob
Seriously, what is the Point?
So. Much. Controversy. Who is right? Who is wrong? Who has the edge on truth? Who has the exhaustive list of answers everyone is seeking? How do we really know when it comes to things that aren't easily identifiable facts? Which is practically everything!
The short, easy answer is...its Jesus! Jesus is the point, He is the reason and the answer, and all answers to truth can be found in Him! But whenever that is lost - where and how we find truth - then we search for truth and make propositional statements about truth that force people into camps and either/or thinking. Everything in the West (practically) is built on dualistic, either/or thinking. Either I am a Democrat or a Republican, I cannot be both/and. Either I am for Trump or against Him. Either I am a Calvinist or an Armenian. Either I am an Evangelical or I am a Liberal. Either I agree with you, or I do not.
There is NO middle ground...or for that matter, no alternative. And yet, to use a really interesting story from Scripture, in Joshua 5:14, Joshua met a stranger with his sword drawn. He asked this stranger, which was really God, or in theological terms a Theophany (like an epiphany is the “a-ha” moment, a sudden appearance of an idea, this is an appearance of God. Though I personally believe it was a Christophany, or the appearance of Christ), but Joshua asked whether he was for Israel or for his adversaries. He replied, “No...”. He was neither! He would not place himself in either of those camps!
Now, because of Jesus, because He came to reveal and demonstrate that there was an alternative kingdom, I get to also maintain this middle ground. I am neither. I am both. I am not against anyone. I don’t need to be. But if I was against anything, it would be against religion that corrupts and doesn’t allow people to realize they already have access to God! If you don’t believe me, then why did the Temple veil tear from top to bottom?
Jesus spoke concerning the religious of his day and told a group of people called Lawyers (the term for those who studied and expounded the law of Moses), “Woe to you, Lawyers, you have taken away the KEY TO KNOWLEDGE. You did not enter yourselves and you hindered those from entering.” (Luke 11:52)
Or elsewhere Jesus said, “"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. (Matt 23:13)
Woe to anyone who puts things in front of people and hinders them from entering the Kingdom of God! When we make the kingdom of God a race issue, woe unto us! When we make the Kingdom of God a political issue, woe unto us! When we make it a socio-economic issue, and American issue, or even a religious issue...anything that keeps people away from Jesus, woe unto us! When we make it any other thing than simply following Jesus, woe unto us! Jesus came to remove all barriers and hindrances for all people at all times!
Don’t you know that any justice issue is simply an issue where we remove Jesus? When we fail to see human dignity (which categorizes all justice issues), then we remove Jesus from them and place them into a specific camp or category. The Image of God places dignity upon each and every person. They carry a facet of Jesus, whether they believe in Him or not, and that demands dignity for every person. They actually DESERVE it.
No political issue, no “just-war”, Trump or Hillary, American or Middle-Eastern, White or Black, Islam or Buddhist or Hindu or Jew...nothing comes between people and Jesus! There is no barrier now! Jesus did away with barriers! And who are we to think we have the key of knowledge! Woe unto us!
I am thankful Jesus made a way for all to enter into the Kingdom of God! And if you are confused at to what God thinks about all of this? Just look at Jesus! Read what He said! He kind of spoke both for and as God.
So. Much. Controversy. Who is right? Who is wrong? Who has the edge on truth? Who has the exhaustive list of answers everyone is seeking? How do we really know when it comes to things that aren't easily identifiable facts? Which is practically everything!
The short, easy answer is...its Jesus! Jesus is the point, He is the reason and the answer, and all answers to truth can be found in Him! But whenever that is lost - where and how we find truth - then we search for truth and make propositional statements about truth that force people into camps and either/or thinking. Everything in the West (practically) is built on dualistic, either/or thinking. Either I am a Democrat or a Republican, I cannot be both/and. Either I am for Trump or against Him. Either I am a Calvinist or an Armenian. Either I am an Evangelical or I am a Liberal. Either I agree with you, or I do not.
There is NO middle ground...or for that matter, no alternative. And yet, to use a really interesting story from Scripture, in Joshua 5:14, Joshua met a stranger with his sword drawn. He asked this stranger, which was really God, or in theological terms a Theophany (like an epiphany is the “a-ha” moment, a sudden appearance of an idea, this is an appearance of God. Though I personally believe it was a Christophany, or the appearance of Christ), but Joshua asked whether he was for Israel or for his adversaries. He replied, “No...”. He was neither! He would not place himself in either of those camps!
Now, because of Jesus, because He came to reveal and demonstrate that there was an alternative kingdom, I get to also maintain this middle ground. I am neither. I am both. I am not against anyone. I don’t need to be. But if I was against anything, it would be against religion that corrupts and doesn’t allow people to realize they already have access to God! If you don’t believe me, then why did the Temple veil tear from top to bottom?
Jesus spoke concerning the religious of his day and told a group of people called Lawyers (the term for those who studied and expounded the law of Moses), “Woe to you, Lawyers, you have taken away the KEY TO KNOWLEDGE. You did not enter yourselves and you hindered those from entering.” (Luke 11:52)
Or elsewhere Jesus said, “"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. (Matt 23:13)
Woe to anyone who puts things in front of people and hinders them from entering the Kingdom of God! When we make the kingdom of God a race issue, woe unto us! When we make the Kingdom of God a political issue, woe unto us! When we make it a socio-economic issue, and American issue, or even a religious issue...anything that keeps people away from Jesus, woe unto us! When we make it any other thing than simply following Jesus, woe unto us! Jesus came to remove all barriers and hindrances for all people at all times!
Don’t you know that any justice issue is simply an issue where we remove Jesus? When we fail to see human dignity (which categorizes all justice issues), then we remove Jesus from them and place them into a specific camp or category. The Image of God places dignity upon each and every person. They carry a facet of Jesus, whether they believe in Him or not, and that demands dignity for every person. They actually DESERVE it.
No political issue, no “just-war”, Trump or Hillary, American or Middle-Eastern, White or Black, Islam or Buddhist or Hindu or Jew...nothing comes between people and Jesus! There is no barrier now! Jesus did away with barriers! And who are we to think we have the key of knowledge! Woe unto us!
I am thankful Jesus made a way for all to enter into the Kingdom of God! And if you are confused at to what God thinks about all of this? Just look at Jesus! Read what He said! He kind of spoke both for and as God.
Friday, September 21, 2018
Quit Running From Your Emotions! by Jacob
“Water.” I say with a measure of finality.
“Water and mountains. Or fog and mountains. Or Rain! But there has to be a front porch and coffee involved, and preferably somewhere ‘away’.”
These are things I often say to myself when I am tired or stressed. Yes, when I am definitely stressed! And stress has been a frequent visitor of mine lately, so much so, I think he has taken up residence for the time being.
It is hard for me not to feel this way, especially since most of my life I have lived as if I am on my own to figure everything out, to make a way. When you add in a wife and a little girl, the feeling just skyrockets sometimes. No wonder stress has decided to move in and stay a while.
BUT WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON?
When I choose to look below the surface, when I take time to breathe and check my emotional pulse, then I start to find something else going on that has been hidden for a long time it's become so normal. These are feelings of betrayal, anger, frustration, and hopelessness.
When my job is going well; when I have enough money; when it feels like things in life are moving in a positive direction, then it is easy for me to believe I am doing something right or God is for me. But when these things aren’t happening, like being stuck in a dead end job...again. Or, not being able to raise support very well for a trip you are sure you heard God tell you to go to. Well, that is when these feelings surface again.
These are some of my triggers. These life events trigger certain reactions, and those reactions are tied to my beliefs. Pull on the string of the triggered emotion, and I can usually, in time, explain why I feel that way in the moment. It is usually tied to mistrust in some way towards God’s ability to take care of me, despite myself. Because in this world of mine, I am responsible for my own well-being...and now my family.
Drumroll…...
I DON’T ACTUALLY TRUST GOD!
THERE! I said it...
And this is why I am stressed. I constantly feel I have to do it on my own to make it happen. Or the verse that says “With God, some things are possible. And those that aren’t, I must find a way”. This is often how I actually live! I don’t actually believe the real thing, so I change it to fit my circumstances or my beliefs based on how I see the world.
So, suffice it to say, this is a root of mine that I am learning how to dig up and replace with truth. That is all this is! They are lies that I have made in agreement in believing, and God is after complete freedom in my heart! He knows when I have freedom, my heart and life is more fully His!
And these circumstances that betray the reality of my own soul, while really difficult to face, are really good things! God puts his finger on certain areas that he wants to address, and in the process, I get the chance to partner with Him in the solution. It is all about the process of me becoming more like Jesus anyways.
What are these triggers for you?
What is God pinpointing in your own life?
He is after your heart and greater freedom in your life.
And God knows what we need even before we ask Him! So take some time to step back away from the busyness and talk with Him it. Listen to what He says. And just do it!
“Water and mountains. Or fog and mountains. Or Rain! But there has to be a front porch and coffee involved, and preferably somewhere ‘away’.”
These are things I often say to myself when I am tired or stressed. Yes, when I am definitely stressed! And stress has been a frequent visitor of mine lately, so much so, I think he has taken up residence for the time being.
It is hard for me not to feel this way, especially since most of my life I have lived as if I am on my own to figure everything out, to make a way. When you add in a wife and a little girl, the feeling just skyrockets sometimes. No wonder stress has decided to move in and stay a while.
BUT WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON?
When I choose to look below the surface, when I take time to breathe and check my emotional pulse, then I start to find something else going on that has been hidden for a long time it's become so normal. These are feelings of betrayal, anger, frustration, and hopelessness.
When my job is going well; when I have enough money; when it feels like things in life are moving in a positive direction, then it is easy for me to believe I am doing something right or God is for me. But when these things aren’t happening, like being stuck in a dead end job...again. Or, not being able to raise support very well for a trip you are sure you heard God tell you to go to. Well, that is when these feelings surface again.
These are some of my triggers. These life events trigger certain reactions, and those reactions are tied to my beliefs. Pull on the string of the triggered emotion, and I can usually, in time, explain why I feel that way in the moment. It is usually tied to mistrust in some way towards God’s ability to take care of me, despite myself. Because in this world of mine, I am responsible for my own well-being...and now my family.
Drumroll…...
I DON’T ACTUALLY TRUST GOD!
THERE! I said it...
And this is why I am stressed. I constantly feel I have to do it on my own to make it happen. Or the verse that says “With God, some things are possible. And those that aren’t, I must find a way”. This is often how I actually live! I don’t actually believe the real thing, so I change it to fit my circumstances or my beliefs based on how I see the world.
So, suffice it to say, this is a root of mine that I am learning how to dig up and replace with truth. That is all this is! They are lies that I have made in agreement in believing, and God is after complete freedom in my heart! He knows when I have freedom, my heart and life is more fully His!
And these circumstances that betray the reality of my own soul, while really difficult to face, are really good things! God puts his finger on certain areas that he wants to address, and in the process, I get the chance to partner with Him in the solution. It is all about the process of me becoming more like Jesus anyways.
What are these triggers for you?
What is God pinpointing in your own life?
He is after your heart and greater freedom in your life.
And God knows what we need even before we ask Him! So take some time to step back away from the busyness and talk with Him it. Listen to what He says. And just do it!
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Keep Fighting, by Will
Over the past month I've heard the word "weary" used to describe my life and situation a lot. "physically or mentally exhausted by hard work, exertion, strain, etc.; fatigued; tired" I think that's a really good descriptor. I'm in the midst of a battle that seems to be never ending, and I've had about all of it I can take.
As I've discovered my God given identity and begun to embrace who He has made me to be, I've been intentional about seeking discipleship to grow and develop the characteristics that define my name. The key verse God gave me is 1 Peter 5.1-11, and one of the five themes I've identified from that passage is "Endure Suffering" (you can read more about the themes I've discovered on my personal blog, Fighting Lions, click my picture on the left and you will be linked to my blog).
Last month I met with one of the two pastors I've asked to intentionally invest in my life over the next year. As we discussed what's been going on and what I'm looking to do, we began to talk about suffering, and how we press forward through it. As we met he asked me to read Proverbs 24.16, "For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity." (and no, it doesn't mean that the eighth time we can stay on the ground). The man who is rooted in God can endure because he isn't living alone. He can face adversity over, and over, and over again because he isn't living in his own strength but God.
Ephesians 6.10-13 tells us, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."
The struggles we face are not flesh and blood, but spiritual. Paul says, in 2 Timothy 2.26, that people are ensnared and held captive by the devil to do his work, and so the battles we fight are spiritual; the warfare we are engaged in is spiritual. The only way we endure is by drawing strength from God.
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." (Isaiah 40.28-31)
It is only in God that we can stand firm.
It is only in God that we can endure suffering and hardship.
It is only in God that our strength is renewed.
It is only in God that we can keep fighting.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
As I've discovered my God given identity and begun to embrace who He has made me to be, I've been intentional about seeking discipleship to grow and develop the characteristics that define my name. The key verse God gave me is 1 Peter 5.1-11, and one of the five themes I've identified from that passage is "Endure Suffering" (you can read more about the themes I've discovered on my personal blog, Fighting Lions, click my picture on the left and you will be linked to my blog).
Last month I met with one of the two pastors I've asked to intentionally invest in my life over the next year. As we discussed what's been going on and what I'm looking to do, we began to talk about suffering, and how we press forward through it. As we met he asked me to read Proverbs 24.16, "For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity." (and no, it doesn't mean that the eighth time we can stay on the ground). The man who is rooted in God can endure because he isn't living alone. He can face adversity over, and over, and over again because he isn't living in his own strength but God.
Ephesians 6.10-13 tells us, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."
The struggles we face are not flesh and blood, but spiritual. Paul says, in 2 Timothy 2.26, that people are ensnared and held captive by the devil to do his work, and so the battles we fight are spiritual; the warfare we are engaged in is spiritual. The only way we endure is by drawing strength from God.
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." (Isaiah 40.28-31)
It is only in God that we can stand firm.
It is only in God that we can endure suffering and hardship.
It is only in God that our strength is renewed.
It is only in God that we can keep fighting.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Friday, August 31, 2018
Journey Part 3: Finding Your Name, by Will
I've given a lot of thought to it, and talked with Aaron a bit, and I'm in agreement with him, I'm not going to be sharing my name at this point either. It is something deeply personal, and something I'm still working at owning and embodying, and for now, as I continue on this journey, it needs to remain between those closest to me and myself.
As I began this search for my real name, I felt a constant pull to help others discover their own God given identity. As part of my own identity, I feel that God is calling me to help others discover this, and I'm currently working to start a non-profit ministry that will focus on helping men, and hopefully women at some point in the future, begin to embrace who God has created them to be and live the lives He intended for them to live. Lives of passion, pursuing a destiny, in the context of community, however, the foundation for this lies in the discovery of identity.
In the beginning life was perfect. Man lived in perfect harmony with God, humanity, and creation. Man knew God intimately and personally, man had work to do that was satisfying, and man knew who he was. This is when the enemy moved in, struck a deadly blow, and left the world in chaos. He attacks the relationship man has with God, and the identity that God has given them.
"The serpent said to the woman, 'You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'" (Genesis 3.4-5)
He attacks the identity they have with God, making them believe that there is more for them, something better, that God has withheld. They question the goodness of God, and they question who they are in light of what they might gain. They gave into the temptation, inherited broken identities, twisted passions, damaged destinies, and broken community, falling from God's original intention. And it's crucial to remember that this took place before sin had entered the world, this is what the enemy was able to do when man existed in a state of perfection, walking with God in the cool of the day, knowing the sound of his footsteps. Don't drop your guard for an instant, he decimated the world when it was perfect; never underestimate what he can do.
God steps in, and He promises hope. The identity destroyer will be destroyed by the one who will bring restoration. The road is going to long and dangerous, but all things will be renewed. Christ came, modeled how God intended for us to live life, died to pay the price for sin, and then rose again so that we could be empowered to follow His example. Jesus had an identity that was bestowed on Him by the Father, "After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.'" (Matthew 3.16-17). In the same way, God has an identity for each of us.
So how do you learn your God given identity? How do you receive your name from God? I believe the answer is found in two questions that Jesus asked.
"Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?' ... He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?'" (Matthew 16.13, 15)
Who do people say that you are?
Who does God say you are?
You need to ask yourself the first question.
Who do people say that you are?
What have people said about you? Who have people tried to make you? What do you believe about yourself as a result?
This probably isn't going to be a fun place to go, people are mean, they intentionally try to inflict pain, and they do that because they are hurting. Even if there isn't a ton of painful baggage you have to deal with, you still need to examine this, I can't tell you how many people have tried to influence my life, pointing me in the direction they thought was best, but ultimately their direction wasn't God's direction, and trying to be who someone else thought I should be only hurt me.
As a result of these two things, we begin to believe things about ourselves. We may feel that we have no value, believing that we need to change things about us, give up our dreams or passions in order to be accepted, and come to the end our lives in misery and full of regret. That isn't how God intended for us to live, we were made to live with passion, pursuing something for His glory, but before we can do that we have to find healing, and in order to find healing, we have to identify the wounds we are carrying. That is the aim of the first question.
The second question is one that we need to ask God.
Who do You say that I am?
This question takes courage to ask, and the answer may be even more difficult than those of the previous question. This answer will demand something of us, calling us into intimacy with God that we've likely never thought possible, and challenging us to be fully transformed by the One who created us. The answer to this question will change you life, and you'll never be the same once you receive it.
For me, my name came from a passage of the Bible that hit me in a different way. It led me to search for similar stories, and the consistent theme of the story of was the name God gave me. From there He gave me a passage, 1 Peter 5.1-11, that taught me what it meant to live out my name, and right now I'm on a journey to grow and develop these characteristics, seeking intentional discipleship and counsel from older men I deeply respect.
God knows you by your true name. Your God given identity captures who you are at your deepest level, the core of your being, and it reveals what you are here to do. Do you have the courage to ask two questions? Are you ready to become who you were born to be?
May you seek God, and discover your identity from Him.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
As I began this search for my real name, I felt a constant pull to help others discover their own God given identity. As part of my own identity, I feel that God is calling me to help others discover this, and I'm currently working to start a non-profit ministry that will focus on helping men, and hopefully women at some point in the future, begin to embrace who God has created them to be and live the lives He intended for them to live. Lives of passion, pursuing a destiny, in the context of community, however, the foundation for this lies in the discovery of identity.
In the beginning life was perfect. Man lived in perfect harmony with God, humanity, and creation. Man knew God intimately and personally, man had work to do that was satisfying, and man knew who he was. This is when the enemy moved in, struck a deadly blow, and left the world in chaos. He attacks the relationship man has with God, and the identity that God has given them.
"The serpent said to the woman, 'You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'" (Genesis 3.4-5)
He attacks the identity they have with God, making them believe that there is more for them, something better, that God has withheld. They question the goodness of God, and they question who they are in light of what they might gain. They gave into the temptation, inherited broken identities, twisted passions, damaged destinies, and broken community, falling from God's original intention. And it's crucial to remember that this took place before sin had entered the world, this is what the enemy was able to do when man existed in a state of perfection, walking with God in the cool of the day, knowing the sound of his footsteps. Don't drop your guard for an instant, he decimated the world when it was perfect; never underestimate what he can do.
God steps in, and He promises hope. The identity destroyer will be destroyed by the one who will bring restoration. The road is going to long and dangerous, but all things will be renewed. Christ came, modeled how God intended for us to live life, died to pay the price for sin, and then rose again so that we could be empowered to follow His example. Jesus had an identity that was bestowed on Him by the Father, "After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.'" (Matthew 3.16-17). In the same way, God has an identity for each of us.
So how do you learn your God given identity? How do you receive your name from God? I believe the answer is found in two questions that Jesus asked.
"Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?' ... He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?'" (Matthew 16.13, 15)
Who do people say that you are?
Who does God say you are?
You need to ask yourself the first question.
Who do people say that you are?
What have people said about you? Who have people tried to make you? What do you believe about yourself as a result?
This probably isn't going to be a fun place to go, people are mean, they intentionally try to inflict pain, and they do that because they are hurting. Even if there isn't a ton of painful baggage you have to deal with, you still need to examine this, I can't tell you how many people have tried to influence my life, pointing me in the direction they thought was best, but ultimately their direction wasn't God's direction, and trying to be who someone else thought I should be only hurt me.
As a result of these two things, we begin to believe things about ourselves. We may feel that we have no value, believing that we need to change things about us, give up our dreams or passions in order to be accepted, and come to the end our lives in misery and full of regret. That isn't how God intended for us to live, we were made to live with passion, pursuing something for His glory, but before we can do that we have to find healing, and in order to find healing, we have to identify the wounds we are carrying. That is the aim of the first question.
The second question is one that we need to ask God.
Who do You say that I am?
This question takes courage to ask, and the answer may be even more difficult than those of the previous question. This answer will demand something of us, calling us into intimacy with God that we've likely never thought possible, and challenging us to be fully transformed by the One who created us. The answer to this question will change you life, and you'll never be the same once you receive it.
For me, my name came from a passage of the Bible that hit me in a different way. It led me to search for similar stories, and the consistent theme of the story of was the name God gave me. From there He gave me a passage, 1 Peter 5.1-11, that taught me what it meant to live out my name, and right now I'm on a journey to grow and develop these characteristics, seeking intentional discipleship and counsel from older men I deeply respect.
God knows you by your true name. Your God given identity captures who you are at your deepest level, the core of your being, and it reveals what you are here to do. Do you have the courage to ask two questions? Are you ready to become who you were born to be?
May you seek God, and discover your identity from Him.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Lord, who do you call me? Part 2, by Aaron
In my previous post I mentioned that our group started a journey to find a NEW name. We went on a journey to find that name that the Lord has given to us. Most of the time my friends call me either Aaron or by my last name when they speak to me. My family knows me on a more personal level, and have given me "nicknames" if you will. I'll give away a couple, my middle name is Charles and my parents generally call me Chuck. My grandparents call me Chuck or Charlie, unless I'm in trouble. My wife knows me once again on a deeper level, a different form of love. Most of the time my wife calls me sweetie or honey. Then my children have a different name for me as well, they know me as daddy. All of these names are for me, but they all have a different meaning.
We are striving to get on a deeper level with the Father. Their are billions and billions of people that have lived and died throughout the existence of the earth. Scripture tells us that before He made us in the womb, He knew us (Jeremiah 1:5). God knew us before our parents even thought about us. Jesus knows us better than we even know ourselves. Even though billions of us are living on earth, in heaven, or sadly in hell, Jesus still knows us by name. Jesus not only knows our name, but he knows how many hairs are on our head. He knows everything about us, the good, bad, and ugly. Every person throughout existence is known by Him and He loves us on a level so deep we cannot even fathom. So our goal on this new journey was to claim that name. As I wrote in the last post, we had a ceremony for Bill and myself at the annual retreat we have. I would like keep the name and the affirmation that I was given by the men in our group to just our group because it was so personal. The ceremony was very emotional and the Holy Spirit was with us in the room as we spoke to each other. I believe as men we love to hold our feelings in, but I believe many tears were shed that night.
The scripture that I believe I was given was Proverbs 2 2:6. Basically the scripture talks about searching for wisdom as if it were treasure. The scripture describes how we should turn our hearts to wisdom and understanding, so that we fully understand the Fear of the Lord. Proverbs 8: 22-36 also was put on my heart throughout this journey. At the end of the chapter it says "for those who find me, find life". That line just hit my heart as I am on this crazy journey in life. I have no idea what is going to happen tomorrow nor the next hour. As I go through life with my family it seems one day is great, and the next day will be the complete opposite. I am the head of my household and I am honestly scared out of my mind that I am going to steer this ship into an ice burg and sink the boat. As I have grown up and gotten deeper in the word and my relationship with the Father, He has shown me the importance of wisdom. Like King Solomon in the bible, I have understood that I need to search hard for wisdom, so that it can guide me throughout this crazy life. It will guide me closer to the Father and will guide me as I make decisions for the household the Father has given me to lead.
At the end of my ceremony, I was given dog tags with the name the Lord has given me and a knife. The knife was a gift we chose to give each other that signifies our brotherhood and gives us affirmation as men. I was told that I am a man of God and that I am worth it. I don't know about you, even with my relationship with God I have those days. I have those days where I think, man I am not sure if anybody understands what I am going through. It is like a breath of fresh air to hear that I am worth it no matter what. God says I am worth it. If you are reading this, God says that you are worth it as well.
The next part of our journey for Bill and myself is to take ownership of our names. Find other men that love the Lord that can speak into our lives as we go along this journey. The other part for Bill and I is to continual pray for the other men in our group to find their names. We are excitedly waiting in anticipation for our next ceremony, so we can share words of wisdom and affirmation that the Lord gives us.
For anyone reading this post, I wish that you would go deeper with the Father. Dig into the Word a little more than usual. Spend time in prayer a little more than you do each day. Ask the Lord for the name He has given you. I can tell you by experience that you will feel blessed by His words. I pray this day that you will seek wisdom and understand the Fear of the Lord. Because the Fear of the Lord, is the Beginning of all wisdom. And those who find wisdom, find life!! Amen!
God bless!!
We are striving to get on a deeper level with the Father. Their are billions and billions of people that have lived and died throughout the existence of the earth. Scripture tells us that before He made us in the womb, He knew us (Jeremiah 1:5). God knew us before our parents even thought about us. Jesus knows us better than we even know ourselves. Even though billions of us are living on earth, in heaven, or sadly in hell, Jesus still knows us by name. Jesus not only knows our name, but he knows how many hairs are on our head. He knows everything about us, the good, bad, and ugly. Every person throughout existence is known by Him and He loves us on a level so deep we cannot even fathom. So our goal on this new journey was to claim that name. As I wrote in the last post, we had a ceremony for Bill and myself at the annual retreat we have. I would like keep the name and the affirmation that I was given by the men in our group to just our group because it was so personal. The ceremony was very emotional and the Holy Spirit was with us in the room as we spoke to each other. I believe as men we love to hold our feelings in, but I believe many tears were shed that night.
The scripture that I believe I was given was Proverbs 2 2:6. Basically the scripture talks about searching for wisdom as if it were treasure. The scripture describes how we should turn our hearts to wisdom and understanding, so that we fully understand the Fear of the Lord. Proverbs 8: 22-36 also was put on my heart throughout this journey. At the end of the chapter it says "for those who find me, find life". That line just hit my heart as I am on this crazy journey in life. I have no idea what is going to happen tomorrow nor the next hour. As I go through life with my family it seems one day is great, and the next day will be the complete opposite. I am the head of my household and I am honestly scared out of my mind that I am going to steer this ship into an ice burg and sink the boat. As I have grown up and gotten deeper in the word and my relationship with the Father, He has shown me the importance of wisdom. Like King Solomon in the bible, I have understood that I need to search hard for wisdom, so that it can guide me throughout this crazy life. It will guide me closer to the Father and will guide me as I make decisions for the household the Father has given me to lead.
At the end of my ceremony, I was given dog tags with the name the Lord has given me and a knife. The knife was a gift we chose to give each other that signifies our brotherhood and gives us affirmation as men. I was told that I am a man of God and that I am worth it. I don't know about you, even with my relationship with God I have those days. I have those days where I think, man I am not sure if anybody understands what I am going through. It is like a breath of fresh air to hear that I am worth it no matter what. God says I am worth it. If you are reading this, God says that you are worth it as well.
The next part of our journey for Bill and myself is to take ownership of our names. Find other men that love the Lord that can speak into our lives as we go along this journey. The other part for Bill and I is to continual pray for the other men in our group to find their names. We are excitedly waiting in anticipation for our next ceremony, so we can share words of wisdom and affirmation that the Lord gives us.
For anyone reading this post, I wish that you would go deeper with the Father. Dig into the Word a little more than usual. Spend time in prayer a little more than you do each day. Ask the Lord for the name He has given you. I can tell you by experience that you will feel blessed by His words. I pray this day that you will seek wisdom and understand the Fear of the Lord. Because the Fear of the Lord, is the Beginning of all wisdom. And those who find wisdom, find life!! Amen!
God bless!!
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Journey Part 2: The Confirmation Ceremony, By Will
Since I started this whole quest for identity, I've wanted a ceremony. This is strange for me, because I hate being the center of attention, and I don't enjoy being celebrated. I don't even make a big deal out of my birthday, and most people who know me don't even know when it is, and I'm ok with that. But the significance of this one was different, it wasn't about getting a year older, or remembering an accomplishment, but about the discovery of my true self, and receiving the confirmation of those I'm doing life with.
We started talking about the ceremony over a year before hand, and it changed and adapted over that time, and through the planning I learned a lot about leadership which has been really good for me, and I think our entire group. There were three elements that remained consistent: telling our story, hearing words of affirmation, and presenting of gifts/the symbol.
I'm not going to share anything that my brothers said to me that night, it was deeply personal and significant, and I treasure their words so much. We sat around the living room of the cabin we were in, and I shared my story with them, being vulnerable and open with them about things I had been through that led me to the point of seeking my true name from God. I shared with them the story of reading Judges 14, and the path that I was set on that day.
Before each of them had a chance to speak I presented the symbol we had agreed on, personalized dog tags. I shared with them my name, the Scriptural foundation God had given me (1 Peter 5.1-11 in case you're wondering), and what it means for me to embody my name. One by one they came and sat next to me, speaking into my life the words of affirmation, encouragement, and commissioning they had received from God for me, along with Scriptures that they had been led to. As each one of them spoke they held my dog tags.
Aaron went last, and when he finished he stood and had me kneel, he commissioned me to embody the biblical characteristics of my new name, and then placed my dog tags around my neck. I stood, and told my brothers my name, Maximus style, and this time it wasn't just words, but a declaration of who I am, what God has brought me through, and where He is leading me. I then stood before them, and I was led through a pledge that I had written based out of 1 Peter 5.1-11. Following this, I knelt and my brothers surrounded me, laying hands on me, and praying over me.
My part of the ceremony ended with the presentation of a gift. This was something we went back and forth on a lot, but we settled on knives and fire starters. Our retreats are all nature related, and if you have a solid knife, the ability to make fire, and a little bit of knowledge you can make it. The symbolism is that you have what it takes; you have an identity and you have the tools you need to move forward living it out.
This night was one I needed, and I had finally reached the point in my life where i was ready for it. Before this past June it would have been insignificant and meaningless because I hadn't put the time in and figured out what it meant to embrace the identity God had given me. I had heard it, but I hadn't realized what exactly it meant or entailed. June 9, 2018 I was finally ready to take the next step of my journey. Surrounded by my brothers, we celebrated what God had done in my life, and then Aaron's life, sharing this night with him made it even more significant and meaningful, and at that moment I began to walk taller and straighter.
I was no longer a man trying to fake it until I made it, I had an identity. I know who I am, and I had my brothers confirm that. I have a name, and with that comes purpose and responsibility, but I am not alone as I seek to live out who God has called me to be...
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
We started talking about the ceremony over a year before hand, and it changed and adapted over that time, and through the planning I learned a lot about leadership which has been really good for me, and I think our entire group. There were three elements that remained consistent: telling our story, hearing words of affirmation, and presenting of gifts/the symbol.
I'm not going to share anything that my brothers said to me that night, it was deeply personal and significant, and I treasure their words so much. We sat around the living room of the cabin we were in, and I shared my story with them, being vulnerable and open with them about things I had been through that led me to the point of seeking my true name from God. I shared with them the story of reading Judges 14, and the path that I was set on that day.
Before each of them had a chance to speak I presented the symbol we had agreed on, personalized dog tags. I shared with them my name, the Scriptural foundation God had given me (1 Peter 5.1-11 in case you're wondering), and what it means for me to embody my name. One by one they came and sat next to me, speaking into my life the words of affirmation, encouragement, and commissioning they had received from God for me, along with Scriptures that they had been led to. As each one of them spoke they held my dog tags.
Aaron went last, and when he finished he stood and had me kneel, he commissioned me to embody the biblical characteristics of my new name, and then placed my dog tags around my neck. I stood, and told my brothers my name, Maximus style, and this time it wasn't just words, but a declaration of who I am, what God has brought me through, and where He is leading me. I then stood before them, and I was led through a pledge that I had written based out of 1 Peter 5.1-11. Following this, I knelt and my brothers surrounded me, laying hands on me, and praying over me.
My part of the ceremony ended with the presentation of a gift. This was something we went back and forth on a lot, but we settled on knives and fire starters. Our retreats are all nature related, and if you have a solid knife, the ability to make fire, and a little bit of knowledge you can make it. The symbolism is that you have what it takes; you have an identity and you have the tools you need to move forward living it out.
This night was one I needed, and I had finally reached the point in my life where i was ready for it. Before this past June it would have been insignificant and meaningless because I hadn't put the time in and figured out what it meant to embrace the identity God had given me. I had heard it, but I hadn't realized what exactly it meant or entailed. June 9, 2018 I was finally ready to take the next step of my journey. Surrounded by my brothers, we celebrated what God had done in my life, and then Aaron's life, sharing this night with him made it even more significant and meaningful, and at that moment I began to walk taller and straighter.
I was no longer a man trying to fake it until I made it, I had an identity. I know who I am, and I had my brothers confirm that. I have a name, and with that comes purpose and responsibility, but I am not alone as I seek to live out who God has called me to be...
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Lord, who do you call me? Part 1 by Aaron
What do Elohim, El Shaddai, Adonai, Yahweh, Jehovah, and El Olam have in common? They are all different names for God. Elohim means Creator, might, and strong. El Shaddai means God almighty. Adonai means Lord. Yahweh and Jehovah mean Lord as well. El-Olam means Mighty God. That is just a couple of the names that we have for the Father. As we learn to trust Him more, we begin to know the Lord by these names. Some of us know the Lord as El Olam because we have seen how mighty he is. Another name for the Lord is Yahweh-Shalom, which means the Lord of peace. We know him as Shalom because of the peace He has provided in our life. I believe as we grow in the Lord that we will begin to call Him by these names as they begin to manifest in our lives.
As we call the Father by different names, I also believe that the Father has a differeent name chosen for each one of us as well. In the old and new testament, there are many examples where God has given chosen individuals a new name. God gave Abram the name Abraham, meaning father of multitudes. God gave Sarai the name Sarah, meaning princess or a woman of high rank. Jacob was given the name Israel by the Father. Simon was given the name Peter by Jesus. God gave each of these people a new name for a reason, and each name was very impactful to the person it was given.
John Eldridge wrote a book called, Waking the Dead, about how a person can become “fully alive” in Christ. In a portion of the book, Eldridge talked about this idea of seeking a new name from the Lord. Eldridge described that the Lord wanted to give him a new name that reflects the person He wants him to be. I am a member of a group nine men that meet each year for a men’s retreat to seek the Lord. Recently we all decided that we would begin to seek out a new name that God has given us. We decided that once we were given our name, we would have a ceremony for that person during our annual retreat. This year (2018), Bill and I received new names from the Lord and had ceremonies during the retreat. The ceremony was more of an affirmation from the rest of the men in our group and a great time of prayer.
I remember initially when we decided to seek our new names that I had no idea what that meant. I understood the basic concept, but I did not understand what that meant spiritually. It was not something I could just ask my pastor or ask my parents to tell me. It was something that I had to seek out. Only one person could give me that name, and His name is Jesus. Initially I would read the Word and think in my head “that would be a really cool name”. I was guessing, because for some strange reason I was afraid to get my new name. One thing I have always lacked since post-college is confidence. I was afraid to get my new name because I thought it would be negative. In other words, I was lacking confidence and faith in how I thought Jesus viewed my life.
So the months started to pass as I was seeking my new name because I was lacking this faith. As the days went by I grew less confident that I would receive my name, and for awhile I really stopped seeking my name. Our annual retreat is usually in early June, and it must have been February or March when Bill told me that he received his name from the Lord. I was so excited for Bill and could tell that the name Jesus gave him was a gift. From that day forward I started seeking my name like it was the only thing I had to do in life. I wanted that name so bad, and I told the group that I would have that name no matter what before our retreat.
My pursuit of my name came instantly and I think when I heard Bill’s new name something clicked in my spirit. I feel like the Lord showed me that this is a gift from Him. He showed me that day that I am a sinner and that yes I do really foolish things. But His son died for my sins so that I have a clean slate and to leave those foolish things behind. The Lord is there to give me that confidence each day. He wants to give me a new name so that I can help my brothers seek their names. He wanted to give me a new name so that I can understand how the Lord views my life. As John Eldridge wrote, He wants me to know my name so that it reflects the person He wants me to be. It doesn’t matter the plans I have for me life, because He knows better than me. The name my parents gave me is so special to me. But the name the Lord gave me is infinitely more special, because the Lord leads my every step.
Guess what? I received that name from the Lord. I received that name from the Lord and through the ceremony our brotherhood was able to affirm that name. Funny thing was my dad was able to affirm that name for me before we had our annual retreat. God was waiting to give me that name for a long time. He just wanted to spend time with me before He gave it to me......
As we call the Father by different names, I also believe that the Father has a differeent name chosen for each one of us as well. In the old and new testament, there are many examples where God has given chosen individuals a new name. God gave Abram the name Abraham, meaning father of multitudes. God gave Sarai the name Sarah, meaning princess or a woman of high rank. Jacob was given the name Israel by the Father. Simon was given the name Peter by Jesus. God gave each of these people a new name for a reason, and each name was very impactful to the person it was given.
John Eldridge wrote a book called, Waking the Dead, about how a person can become “fully alive” in Christ. In a portion of the book, Eldridge talked about this idea of seeking a new name from the Lord. Eldridge described that the Lord wanted to give him a new name that reflects the person He wants him to be. I am a member of a group nine men that meet each year for a men’s retreat to seek the Lord. Recently we all decided that we would begin to seek out a new name that God has given us. We decided that once we were given our name, we would have a ceremony for that person during our annual retreat. This year (2018), Bill and I received new names from the Lord and had ceremonies during the retreat. The ceremony was more of an affirmation from the rest of the men in our group and a great time of prayer.
I remember initially when we decided to seek our new names that I had no idea what that meant. I understood the basic concept, but I did not understand what that meant spiritually. It was not something I could just ask my pastor or ask my parents to tell me. It was something that I had to seek out. Only one person could give me that name, and His name is Jesus. Initially I would read the Word and think in my head “that would be a really cool name”. I was guessing, because for some strange reason I was afraid to get my new name. One thing I have always lacked since post-college is confidence. I was afraid to get my new name because I thought it would be negative. In other words, I was lacking confidence and faith in how I thought Jesus viewed my life.
So the months started to pass as I was seeking my new name because I was lacking this faith. As the days went by I grew less confident that I would receive my name, and for awhile I really stopped seeking my name. Our annual retreat is usually in early June, and it must have been February or March when Bill told me that he received his name from the Lord. I was so excited for Bill and could tell that the name Jesus gave him was a gift. From that day forward I started seeking my name like it was the only thing I had to do in life. I wanted that name so bad, and I told the group that I would have that name no matter what before our retreat.
My pursuit of my name came instantly and I think when I heard Bill’s new name something clicked in my spirit. I feel like the Lord showed me that this is a gift from Him. He showed me that day that I am a sinner and that yes I do really foolish things. But His son died for my sins so that I have a clean slate and to leave those foolish things behind. The Lord is there to give me that confidence each day. He wants to give me a new name so that I can help my brothers seek their names. He wanted to give me a new name so that I can understand how the Lord views my life. As John Eldridge wrote, He wants me to know my name so that it reflects the person He wants me to be. It doesn’t matter the plans I have for me life, because He knows better than me. The name my parents gave me is so special to me. But the name the Lord gave me is infinitely more special, because the Lord leads my every step.
Guess what? I received that name from the Lord. I received that name from the Lord and through the ceremony our brotherhood was able to affirm that name. Funny thing was my dad was able to affirm that name for me before we had our annual retreat. God was waiting to give me that name for a long time. He just wanted to spend time with me before He gave it to me......
Saturday, August 18, 2018
Journey Part 1: Quest for my Name, By Will
"and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it." -Revelation 2.17b
Two of my favorite movies, Gladiator and Secondhand Lions, have similar scenes where a man shares his identity. He doesn't simply state his name, but he tells an adversary who he is. Maximus stares down Commodus, Hub takes on four teenagers, two men who know who they are and what they are made of boldly take on an enemy and confidently live life. The first time I really paid attention to Gladiator the scene gave me chills, and I wanted a name like that.
During my first years out of college I thought I had an idea of who I was. I had read Wild at Heart and The Way of the Wild Heart, and I thought I was pretty far along my own journey of masculinity. I was really kidding myself, putting up a front, and hoping no one else would notice. I remember one time Jeremy and I were hiking, talking about the second book, and he asked me, "So where are you in the journey?" I remember my response was, "I feel like I should be here, but really I feel like I'm at the beginning." That was the first time I had ever admitted that.
I wanted a name, an identity; not something meaningless and made up, but something that spoke of who I really was and why I was here. I wanted a name like Maximus shared, an identity like Hub McCann, but I had no idea how to go about getting one. These men had fought battles, endured suffering and hardship, and led others. I had been let go from three different churches, spent time unemployed and under employed, and had to work jobs that had nothing to do with what I felt called to do. I had a lot of dreams and goals, but there didn't seem to be anyone willing to give me a chance. I just felt stuck, alone, and lost. I had a front up, but I knew it was just that, there was nothing behind it, and I was just hoping to fake it until I finally figured everything out.
At that time, I was writing a blog focused on reaching men, and I was working my way through the Bible, writing about how it spoke to men and who God calls us to be as men. This would end up being the thing that finally proved to be turning point in my life. I was reading a story I had read so many times, but this time, for some reason, it stood out to me in a new way and made me think. In Judges 14, Samson kills a lion that comes out of no where and attacks him. As I read the story I began looking for other lion killers in the Bible, and this would lead me to a study that has lasted more than three years.
I began seeing lions everywhere, began watching videos of lion hunts on YouTube, legit ones done by the Masai with spears, and I began to really look at the lion stories in the Bible. (I'm working on a book based on the last three years of study and personal discovery, but it's a slow process). In the midst of all of this, my now ex-wife left. I was facing hardship and battle like I never had before, but in this, God began to show me who I was and what I'm made of. This experience has helped me know who I am, understand my passion, though I'm still working on more fully understanding this and developing it, and all of that has begun to point me to what I'm here to do.
My journey to discover my God given name, my true identity, started accidentally from a deep personal longing that had been building for years. It would take more years to understand it, but once I did, my brothers confirmed my identity...
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Two of my favorite movies, Gladiator and Secondhand Lions, have similar scenes where a man shares his identity. He doesn't simply state his name, but he tells an adversary who he is. Maximus stares down Commodus, Hub takes on four teenagers, two men who know who they are and what they are made of boldly take on an enemy and confidently live life. The first time I really paid attention to Gladiator the scene gave me chills, and I wanted a name like that.
During my first years out of college I thought I had an idea of who I was. I had read Wild at Heart and The Way of the Wild Heart, and I thought I was pretty far along my own journey of masculinity. I was really kidding myself, putting up a front, and hoping no one else would notice. I remember one time Jeremy and I were hiking, talking about the second book, and he asked me, "So where are you in the journey?" I remember my response was, "I feel like I should be here, but really I feel like I'm at the beginning." That was the first time I had ever admitted that.
I wanted a name, an identity; not something meaningless and made up, but something that spoke of who I really was and why I was here. I wanted a name like Maximus shared, an identity like Hub McCann, but I had no idea how to go about getting one. These men had fought battles, endured suffering and hardship, and led others. I had been let go from three different churches, spent time unemployed and under employed, and had to work jobs that had nothing to do with what I felt called to do. I had a lot of dreams and goals, but there didn't seem to be anyone willing to give me a chance. I just felt stuck, alone, and lost. I had a front up, but I knew it was just that, there was nothing behind it, and I was just hoping to fake it until I finally figured everything out.
At that time, I was writing a blog focused on reaching men, and I was working my way through the Bible, writing about how it spoke to men and who God calls us to be as men. This would end up being the thing that finally proved to be turning point in my life. I was reading a story I had read so many times, but this time, for some reason, it stood out to me in a new way and made me think. In Judges 14, Samson kills a lion that comes out of no where and attacks him. As I read the story I began looking for other lion killers in the Bible, and this would lead me to a study that has lasted more than three years.
I began seeing lions everywhere, began watching videos of lion hunts on YouTube, legit ones done by the Masai with spears, and I began to really look at the lion stories in the Bible. (I'm working on a book based on the last three years of study and personal discovery, but it's a slow process). In the midst of all of this, my now ex-wife left. I was facing hardship and battle like I never had before, but in this, God began to show me who I was and what I'm made of. This experience has helped me know who I am, understand my passion, though I'm still working on more fully understanding this and developing it, and all of that has begun to point me to what I'm here to do.
My journey to discover my God given name, my true identity, started accidentally from a deep personal longing that had been building for years. It would take more years to understand it, but once I did, my brothers confirmed my identity...
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Misplaced Love, by Will
One of the things that I frequently remember from my college days is a quote from a professor we affectionately called Doc, "All sin is misplaced love." For the past few weeks this quote has been on the front of my mind. The things we love the most are the things that we invest ourselves into.
Jesus said, "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6.21). He's talking about investing in things that matter, things that carry eternal value and worth. When I was leading a church as pastor, I had the opportunity to walk through the last months of a man's life with him. He was diagnosed with ALS in late November 2011, and died early in 2012. It was a lot faster than we were expecting, but every Tuesday I would go sit with him in his home and we would talk.
At the time I was only 25, and I was blessed with an experienced pastor who guided me through the process of walking someone towards home. When this man had accepted the reality of death, we began to talk about heaven. As I was preparing to drive to his house for what would be our last Tuesday meeting, I spoke with my pastor friend who pointed out this reality to me.
"In heaven, the streets are paved with gold. The thing that is most precious on earth, the thing that armies have marched for, civilizations have been wiped out for, is used to pave the streets of heaven. No one goes out in the road and breaks it up to hoard asphalt; it's so common place that is worthless. In heaven, the thing we value so much on earth is so common place that it is utterly worthless and so it is used to pave the streets."
What do you love? What are you investing in? All sin is misplaced love, and the things we invest are the things we love the most.
I want to be an Old Testament Scholar, that means have a very solid understanding of Old Testament Hebrew. I've had three classes on Hebrew, and almost a year to study it, but I'm not an expert, honestly at this point I can't even name the seven different verb forms, why? because I'd rather be distracted by YouTube videos (right now I'm hooked on colorblind people receiving enchroma glasses, and these are pretty amazing and emotional).
I want to be a published author, that means research and writing. When I get home at night after a long day at work, all I want to do is sit down and not think about thing strenuous.
I want to pursue my PhD, and more and more I'm realizing the effort that needs to go into this process now. I've read a couple papers for people beginning their programs, and they already have a solid foundation of work done at the beginning. I've got an idea of a topic, but there are re-runs of The Office on.
What is it for you? What is your goal? What is your action? Where is your heart? What do you love?
All sin is misplaced love. The Bible tells us " And He said to him, '"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."'" (Matthew 22.37-39)
"The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." (John 4.8)
Studying Hebrew, is loving God with my mind. Writing is a chance to help people grow closer to God, people I'll never come into contact with any other way. The PhD is an essential to teach college, and that is a chance to impact the world by helping the hearts and minds of students come to a deeper understanding of who God is. By not pursuing these things, by loving other things more than these things, I'm failing to love God, I'm failing to others, and as a result, I'm sinning. My love is misplaced, and that needs to change.
I don't want waste anymore time investing in things that don't matter. I don't want to let my mind be distracted, even by something as moving as people's reactions to seeing color for the first time. I want to fully love God in all things, and I want my life to be invested in things with eternal value. All the treasures of this world pale in comparison to heaven, and I don't want to waste anymore time loving the wrong things.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Jesus said, "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6.21). He's talking about investing in things that matter, things that carry eternal value and worth. When I was leading a church as pastor, I had the opportunity to walk through the last months of a man's life with him. He was diagnosed with ALS in late November 2011, and died early in 2012. It was a lot faster than we were expecting, but every Tuesday I would go sit with him in his home and we would talk.
At the time I was only 25, and I was blessed with an experienced pastor who guided me through the process of walking someone towards home. When this man had accepted the reality of death, we began to talk about heaven. As I was preparing to drive to his house for what would be our last Tuesday meeting, I spoke with my pastor friend who pointed out this reality to me.
"In heaven, the streets are paved with gold. The thing that is most precious on earth, the thing that armies have marched for, civilizations have been wiped out for, is used to pave the streets of heaven. No one goes out in the road and breaks it up to hoard asphalt; it's so common place that is worthless. In heaven, the thing we value so much on earth is so common place that it is utterly worthless and so it is used to pave the streets."
What do you love? What are you investing in? All sin is misplaced love, and the things we invest are the things we love the most.
I want to be an Old Testament Scholar, that means have a very solid understanding of Old Testament Hebrew. I've had three classes on Hebrew, and almost a year to study it, but I'm not an expert, honestly at this point I can't even name the seven different verb forms, why? because I'd rather be distracted by YouTube videos (right now I'm hooked on colorblind people receiving enchroma glasses, and these are pretty amazing and emotional).
I want to be a published author, that means research and writing. When I get home at night after a long day at work, all I want to do is sit down and not think about thing strenuous.
I want to pursue my PhD, and more and more I'm realizing the effort that needs to go into this process now. I've read a couple papers for people beginning their programs, and they already have a solid foundation of work done at the beginning. I've got an idea of a topic, but there are re-runs of The Office on.
What is it for you? What is your goal? What is your action? Where is your heart? What do you love?
All sin is misplaced love. The Bible tells us " And He said to him, '"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."'" (Matthew 22.37-39)
"The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." (John 4.8)
Studying Hebrew, is loving God with my mind. Writing is a chance to help people grow closer to God, people I'll never come into contact with any other way. The PhD is an essential to teach college, and that is a chance to impact the world by helping the hearts and minds of students come to a deeper understanding of who God is. By not pursuing these things, by loving other things more than these things, I'm failing to love God, I'm failing to others, and as a result, I'm sinning. My love is misplaced, and that needs to change.
I don't want waste anymore time investing in things that don't matter. I don't want to let my mind be distracted, even by something as moving as people's reactions to seeing color for the first time. I want to fully love God in all things, and I want my life to be invested in things with eternal value. All the treasures of this world pale in comparison to heaven, and I don't want to waste anymore time loving the wrong things.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Sunday, July 15, 2018
The Things We Learn, by Will
This is a good week, I have my girls for the entire week. I have a lot of things planned, a lot of the things they like to do but spread out over a week rather than crammed in to two and a half days. I'm already feeling the relaxed nature of things and loving every minute of it. Being around them is one of my favorite things. Their snuggles when they get tired, their jumping on me in the morning when they are awake, the excitement and joy on their faces when they learn something new and overcome a struggle, and the happiness on their faces from the fun things we do.
I love observing them and noticing the unique things about their personalities. My oldest, Belle, has a very kind and tender heart. She is a natural leader and encourager. She'll randomly tell people that they look beautiful, and is the first one to volunteer to help out. She's smart, she's kind, and she takes charge. I love that about her. My youngest, Cinderella, is fearless and tough. She will try anything and refuses to give up until she overcomes the trial. She's strong (in body, mind and spirit), and yet she has a tender and compassionate side, always wanting to know where her baby is. I love how unique they are, and I can't wait to see how these traits shape their lives.
As I watch my girls, I'm forced to take a look at myself. I'm not naturally kind and outgoing, giving compliments to strangers. I'm not fearless, and there are many times I've played it safe in the past. Where did this come from? Watching my girls it isn't natural, they are both under 5, and the way they live is natural. At 31, the way I live is learned.
John 10.10 says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." The negative things we learn are from the enemy; he wants to steal courage, kill kindness, and destroy all that is good, true, and beautiful. We're taught to not do dangerous things, one of which is talking to strangers, and that changes the way we live.
Jesus came to change how we live, life to the fullest, full of risk and kindness, taking chances and pouring into others. This is the way I want to live and the way God has called me to live, and I now wear dog tags around my neck as a reminder of who God has called me to be (more on this in a future post). I'm tired of playing it safe, and I don't want to pass that lifestyle on to my girls. It's tough as a dad, especially a dad of girls, but I want them to learn to live by faith, in kindness and courage. I want Belle to be a leader, who heals and encourages the broken; I want Cinderella to be a courageous adventure who takes compassion to the world. Wherever they go, I want them to live in faith, knowing that God is with them, and as their daddy, I want to live in faith, releasing them at the proper time, in America its 18, and trusting God to watch over His girls, since they belong to Him and have been entrusted to me for 18 years to point them to Him.
I want to live fully alive, trusting God, modeling faith, courage, and kindness, so that my girls have an example of a loving father, a godly man, and a fearless warrior for the Kingdom. I want them to learn this lifestyle, so they don't have to unlearn one that has been damaged by the enemy.
Live life to the fullest for the glory of God.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
I love observing them and noticing the unique things about their personalities. My oldest, Belle, has a very kind and tender heart. She is a natural leader and encourager. She'll randomly tell people that they look beautiful, and is the first one to volunteer to help out. She's smart, she's kind, and she takes charge. I love that about her. My youngest, Cinderella, is fearless and tough. She will try anything and refuses to give up until she overcomes the trial. She's strong (in body, mind and spirit), and yet she has a tender and compassionate side, always wanting to know where her baby is. I love how unique they are, and I can't wait to see how these traits shape their lives.
As I watch my girls, I'm forced to take a look at myself. I'm not naturally kind and outgoing, giving compliments to strangers. I'm not fearless, and there are many times I've played it safe in the past. Where did this come from? Watching my girls it isn't natural, they are both under 5, and the way they live is natural. At 31, the way I live is learned.
John 10.10 says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." The negative things we learn are from the enemy; he wants to steal courage, kill kindness, and destroy all that is good, true, and beautiful. We're taught to not do dangerous things, one of which is talking to strangers, and that changes the way we live.
Jesus came to change how we live, life to the fullest, full of risk and kindness, taking chances and pouring into others. This is the way I want to live and the way God has called me to live, and I now wear dog tags around my neck as a reminder of who God has called me to be (more on this in a future post). I'm tired of playing it safe, and I don't want to pass that lifestyle on to my girls. It's tough as a dad, especially a dad of girls, but I want them to learn to live by faith, in kindness and courage. I want Belle to be a leader, who heals and encourages the broken; I want Cinderella to be a courageous adventure who takes compassion to the world. Wherever they go, I want them to live in faith, knowing that God is with them, and as their daddy, I want to live in faith, releasing them at the proper time, in America its 18, and trusting God to watch over His girls, since they belong to Him and have been entrusted to me for 18 years to point them to Him.
I want to live fully alive, trusting God, modeling faith, courage, and kindness, so that my girls have an example of a loving father, a godly man, and a fearless warrior for the Kingdom. I want them to learn this lifestyle, so they don't have to unlearn one that has been damaged by the enemy.
Live life to the fullest for the glory of God.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Sunday, June 24, 2018
The Need for Rest, by Will
The focus of our retreat this year was on rest from battle, taking time to be pursued by God, allowing ourselves to dream, and to take time and enjoy the beauty of life. For so many years of my life I found myself craving adventure and battle. I was bored and restless, and all I wanted was something to do that was worth doing. God had some work to do in my life, but He has given me an adventure to live and a battle to fight (two central desires of the masculine soul). I've got a vision that I'm trying to pursue, and doing everything I can on my end to prepare myself for God to open a door.
The issue I have is that so much of my life feels like is revolves around action. I currently have five journals and a pack of index cards sitting on the desk next to me. Two are for my own personal journey, one is almost full as it contains the insights and reflections I've had over the past year and a half, the other is empty, and is going to be filled over this next year as I seek intentional discipleship based on the the contents of the first one. One is for the planning of our men's group and the ministry/non-profit I'm working on. One is for me to begin working on initial research for my doctoral thesis topic, and the final one is for developing some thoughts on teaching more effectively. There's a lot there, and that doesn't even include the Hebrew I need to learn, the courses starting in two months (four classes this fall), and work. I wanted battle and adventure, and God gave it to me.
However, battle and adventure are not the only things in life, the third central desire of the masculine soul is for beauty. Man was made to be more than just a fighter; he was made to be pursued by God, loved by God, and delight in the beauty of God. There is more to life than simply pursuing a goal, investing your time and energy into it, and striving to do something worthwhile. Life was designed to take time to stop and simply be with God.
Genesis 2.1-3, "Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made."
Exodus 20.8-11, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy."
Life was not intended to be non-stop movement, God intended for us to rest, enjoy His presence, and take in beauty. And ever since getting my hammock, I find myself longing for time alone in the woods, stretched out between two trees, soaking up the silence.
I haven't done a good job with this for the past year, maybe two. There is so much going on, so much I feel I need to do, so many preparations I need to make, that rest feels like something I can't afford to do. But I've starting to realize that this is what God is calling me to. For the past two years I've taken a vision quest, 24ish hours alone in the woods, letting God speak and guide me into a theme for the next year. I've planned on doing one every year for the rest of my life, but really began to question if it was going to happen this year. There is so much to do, and so little time to do everything that I was close to just skipping it this year. But as that thought entered my mind, I've realized that I desperately need that time.
We need to rest. The work will get done, and I've found that when I don't take time to rest I end up overwhelmed and worn out, which leads to procrastinating and wasting time. I need to take care of myself, giving myself time to rest, so that the rest of my time can be fully productive. Vision Quest 2018 will take place either late July or mid August, and I can't wait to be alone in my hammock and hear from God.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
The issue I have is that so much of my life feels like is revolves around action. I currently have five journals and a pack of index cards sitting on the desk next to me. Two are for my own personal journey, one is almost full as it contains the insights and reflections I've had over the past year and a half, the other is empty, and is going to be filled over this next year as I seek intentional discipleship based on the the contents of the first one. One is for the planning of our men's group and the ministry/non-profit I'm working on. One is for me to begin working on initial research for my doctoral thesis topic, and the final one is for developing some thoughts on teaching more effectively. There's a lot there, and that doesn't even include the Hebrew I need to learn, the courses starting in two months (four classes this fall), and work. I wanted battle and adventure, and God gave it to me.
However, battle and adventure are not the only things in life, the third central desire of the masculine soul is for beauty. Man was made to be more than just a fighter; he was made to be pursued by God, loved by God, and delight in the beauty of God. There is more to life than simply pursuing a goal, investing your time and energy into it, and striving to do something worthwhile. Life was designed to take time to stop and simply be with God.
Genesis 2.1-3, "Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made."
Exodus 20.8-11, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy."
Life was not intended to be non-stop movement, God intended for us to rest, enjoy His presence, and take in beauty. And ever since getting my hammock, I find myself longing for time alone in the woods, stretched out between two trees, soaking up the silence.
I haven't done a good job with this for the past year, maybe two. There is so much going on, so much I feel I need to do, so many preparations I need to make, that rest feels like something I can't afford to do. But I've starting to realize that this is what God is calling me to. For the past two years I've taken a vision quest, 24ish hours alone in the woods, letting God speak and guide me into a theme for the next year. I've planned on doing one every year for the rest of my life, but really began to question if it was going to happen this year. There is so much to do, and so little time to do everything that I was close to just skipping it this year. But as that thought entered my mind, I've realized that I desperately need that time.
We need to rest. The work will get done, and I've found that when I don't take time to rest I end up overwhelmed and worn out, which leads to procrastinating and wasting time. I need to take care of myself, giving myself time to rest, so that the rest of my time can be fully productive. Vision Quest 2018 will take place either late July or mid August, and I can't wait to be alone in my hammock and hear from God.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Retreat 2018, by Will
Our annual men's retreat was this past weekend, and it was so good to be around my brothers again. We had a cabin in the Cook Forest of Pennsylvania, right on the Clarion River. The cabin was equipped with kayaks, close to a beautiful hiking trail, and had no cell phone service. Minus being able to see the another house and people occasionally driving on the road out front, or drifting by on the river, it was perfect.
I've begun to notice two things about these retreats. First the theme and timing perfectly coincide with what we (for sure I) need based on the previous year, and two, the topic that we have discussed is an introduction to what God is wants to do in our (again, for sure my) lives in the upcoming year.
When we started these retreats in 2015, I was challenged to make them more than just a guys camping trip, but to have some substance with them. Due to the short time frame that was there to plan and organize everything I went with something I was both familiar with, and something that was relevant to the main idea behind this gathering of men. We've been working our way through the stages of masculine initiation outlined in John Eldredge's book, The Way of the Wild Heart. Initially I was very heavy on Eldredge, but over time I'm started to take more ownership, basing the conversation around the concepts he shares, and drawing only a few illustrations and questions.
This year we focused on stage 4, the Lover, Matthew 4.11 was the central verse of this years retreat.. This stage addresses two key things, first, life is about more than battle, and two, God desires intimacy with us, and is constantly pursuing us. The theme fit so well. Each of us has been through a lot in the previous year, fighting some big battles, facing some difficult times, and each one of needed a time to simply be in a secluded place to be nurtured, healed and restored. We had no formal activity planned, no rigid schedule to follow, I spent a lot of time in my hammock, and in good conversation. It was good, it was healthy, it was needed, and it was worship God was pleased with.
This year's retreat was significant for me because we had a ceremony that Aaron and I participated in. For the past few years the idea of identity in Christ, of a God given true name, has been central in my mind. I've been pursuing this, and encouraging each of my brothers to do the same. This year Aaron and I received our identities from God, and before our brothers we shared them, heard words of affirmation and validation, and then took pledges, received a symbol of our identity, and a gift to mark this moment. This ceremony was one of the most significant moments of my life. I am still working to process this, but I plan on sharing more about this in the near future.
As we gathered in the kitchen of the cabin to close out our weekend, I got the feeling that something really good is about to happen with our group. We prayed for our fellowship, our families, and those who would become part of our families. We prayed for more intentionality to do life together more consistently, for growth into our identities, and for mentors to guide us into the next stages.
I love this time with my brothers, and I look forward to it each year. This year, the location, conversations, and ceremony we all sent by God, and I am so grateful for how He has provided. I look forward with eager anticipation to what God has in store with this next year, and look forward with great expectations to Retreat 2019.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
I've begun to notice two things about these retreats. First the theme and timing perfectly coincide with what we (for sure I) need based on the previous year, and two, the topic that we have discussed is an introduction to what God is wants to do in our (again, for sure my) lives in the upcoming year.
When we started these retreats in 2015, I was challenged to make them more than just a guys camping trip, but to have some substance with them. Due to the short time frame that was there to plan and organize everything I went with something I was both familiar with, and something that was relevant to the main idea behind this gathering of men. We've been working our way through the stages of masculine initiation outlined in John Eldredge's book, The Way of the Wild Heart. Initially I was very heavy on Eldredge, but over time I'm started to take more ownership, basing the conversation around the concepts he shares, and drawing only a few illustrations and questions.
This year we focused on stage 4, the Lover, Matthew 4.11 was the central verse of this years retreat.. This stage addresses two key things, first, life is about more than battle, and two, God desires intimacy with us, and is constantly pursuing us. The theme fit so well. Each of us has been through a lot in the previous year, fighting some big battles, facing some difficult times, and each one of needed a time to simply be in a secluded place to be nurtured, healed and restored. We had no formal activity planned, no rigid schedule to follow, I spent a lot of time in my hammock, and in good conversation. It was good, it was healthy, it was needed, and it was worship God was pleased with.
This year's retreat was significant for me because we had a ceremony that Aaron and I participated in. For the past few years the idea of identity in Christ, of a God given true name, has been central in my mind. I've been pursuing this, and encouraging each of my brothers to do the same. This year Aaron and I received our identities from God, and before our brothers we shared them, heard words of affirmation and validation, and then took pledges, received a symbol of our identity, and a gift to mark this moment. This ceremony was one of the most significant moments of my life. I am still working to process this, but I plan on sharing more about this in the near future.
As we gathered in the kitchen of the cabin to close out our weekend, I got the feeling that something really good is about to happen with our group. We prayed for our fellowship, our families, and those who would become part of our families. We prayed for more intentionality to do life together more consistently, for growth into our identities, and for mentors to guide us into the next stages.
I love this time with my brothers, and I look forward to it each year. This year, the location, conversations, and ceremony we all sent by God, and I am so grateful for how He has provided. I look forward with eager anticipation to what God has in store with this next year, and look forward with great expectations to Retreat 2019.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Monday, May 28, 2018
Restless Contentment, by Will
This is an idea I've wrestled with for a few years, maybe close to a decade now that I stop and think about it. Philippians 4 calls us to be content with the circumstances we face in life, my mind immediately goes to Gandalf and Frodo in the Fellowship of the Ring, "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All you have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to you." We cannot control what life throws at us, all we can do is choose how we handle it. Content calls for trust in God, for surrender to God, and a proper focus in life.
Then you turn back to Philippians 3, and we are called to a relentless pursuit of Christ, constantly striving to get closer to Christ. We are never to be satisfied with how much we know God, or how much like Christ we are. We are forget about everything, setting every hindrance aside, so that we may run faster after Christ so that we may know Him more and become more like Him. This is a call for restlessness in our relationship with Christ.
We are called to be restlessly content, there's a contradiction. Restless means, "always moving" while contentment is defined, "satisfied". One is always striving for more, while the other fulfilled. These two terms don't seem to go together, and yet as I've studied the Bible and lived life for the past ten years I've felt that these two characteristics provide the perfect balance for where I need to live.
I know a pastor, one of the best men I know, and he once shared with me an illustration that captures this idea of restless contentment, or content restlessness, (I think I prefer the first term), by drawing from the words of two men, one from the Old Testament, and one from the New.
The Old Testament contains two verses about a man who prayed a prayer that he became well known for. It is the only thing we know that he said, and other than his prayer we know that he had brothers, of whom he was the most honorable, and his mother gave him the name because she bore him with pain (1 Chronicles 4.9). That's all we get, they we have his prayer, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!", and we are told that God granted his request (1 Chronicles 4.10).
The prayer of Jabez seeks blessing, increased influence, and the presence and protection of God. It's a solid prayer, I've read the book, and I've prayed this way. But I see one small problem, there is a lot of focus on Jabez. He is seeking God, but he is seeking God for his benefit. God, bless me, give me more territory, be with me, keep me safe. He is seeking God's power, and due to the facts that he was a man of honor, and that God granted his request, his prayer was probably uttered with the right motives, but as one who is striving to become an Old Testament Scholar, I'm trying to read the text with a more critical eye.
Jump ahead several centuries to the early first century AD. John the Baptist has gathered a following and is baptizing those who come to him in the Jordan River. He's become quite popular, but then one day someone else comes on the scene, and the crowds begin to flock to him. Those who are most loyal to John express their concern, and John tells them that a man cannot receive anything that heaven does not bestow upon him. He points out that those who are concerned have heard his message preparing the way for the Messiah, and concludes his statement that now that the Messiah has arrived, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3.30"
Restless contentment results when we combine the prayer of Jabez with the heart of John the Baptist. This statement says, "God, use me big, but keep me small." This prayer wants to know God more intimately so that God can be more intimately known by others, but the one offering this prayer does not seek their own advancement. This prayer wants to constantly pursue God so that they can be used greatly by God, but the desire to be used by God is not for their own glory and recognition but for God's.
Contentment frees you to be restless about what really matters. When we are content with our place, with what God has given us to do, we are free of the pressure to perform, and able to surrender to God and be used to build His Kingdom. The point of all of this is to make God more greatly known so that He can be more fully glorified.
Restless contentment seeks to know God, help others know God, and give glory to God alone. Let us all strive to be restlessly content.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Then you turn back to Philippians 3, and we are called to a relentless pursuit of Christ, constantly striving to get closer to Christ. We are never to be satisfied with how much we know God, or how much like Christ we are. We are forget about everything, setting every hindrance aside, so that we may run faster after Christ so that we may know Him more and become more like Him. This is a call for restlessness in our relationship with Christ.
We are called to be restlessly content, there's a contradiction. Restless means, "always moving" while contentment is defined, "satisfied". One is always striving for more, while the other fulfilled. These two terms don't seem to go together, and yet as I've studied the Bible and lived life for the past ten years I've felt that these two characteristics provide the perfect balance for where I need to live.
I know a pastor, one of the best men I know, and he once shared with me an illustration that captures this idea of restless contentment, or content restlessness, (I think I prefer the first term), by drawing from the words of two men, one from the Old Testament, and one from the New.
The Old Testament contains two verses about a man who prayed a prayer that he became well known for. It is the only thing we know that he said, and other than his prayer we know that he had brothers, of whom he was the most honorable, and his mother gave him the name because she bore him with pain (1 Chronicles 4.9). That's all we get, they we have his prayer, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!", and we are told that God granted his request (1 Chronicles 4.10).
The prayer of Jabez seeks blessing, increased influence, and the presence and protection of God. It's a solid prayer, I've read the book, and I've prayed this way. But I see one small problem, there is a lot of focus on Jabez. He is seeking God, but he is seeking God for his benefit. God, bless me, give me more territory, be with me, keep me safe. He is seeking God's power, and due to the facts that he was a man of honor, and that God granted his request, his prayer was probably uttered with the right motives, but as one who is striving to become an Old Testament Scholar, I'm trying to read the text with a more critical eye.
Jump ahead several centuries to the early first century AD. John the Baptist has gathered a following and is baptizing those who come to him in the Jordan River. He's become quite popular, but then one day someone else comes on the scene, and the crowds begin to flock to him. Those who are most loyal to John express their concern, and John tells them that a man cannot receive anything that heaven does not bestow upon him. He points out that those who are concerned have heard his message preparing the way for the Messiah, and concludes his statement that now that the Messiah has arrived, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3.30"
Restless contentment results when we combine the prayer of Jabez with the heart of John the Baptist. This statement says, "God, use me big, but keep me small." This prayer wants to know God more intimately so that God can be more intimately known by others, but the one offering this prayer does not seek their own advancement. This prayer wants to constantly pursue God so that they can be used greatly by God, but the desire to be used by God is not for their own glory and recognition but for God's.
Contentment frees you to be restless about what really matters. When we are content with our place, with what God has given us to do, we are free of the pressure to perform, and able to surrender to God and be used to build His Kingdom. The point of all of this is to make God more greatly known so that He can be more fully glorified.
Restless contentment seeks to know God, help others know God, and give glory to God alone. Let us all strive to be restlessly content.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Restlessness, by Will
I really want to learn to be content in all things. I've missed so much of life because my mind was always on the next step. My focus was on the destination, and I overlooked the fact that life is about the journey. My refusal to be content, has resulted in a lot of wasted time, a lot of unrealized blessings, and a lot of ungrateful longing.
I've been frustrated over work and career things. I've been frustrated by relationships. I've been frustrated by life in general. Overall, a large portion of the last decade plus has been one big unsatisfying clump of time that I spent wishing for one thing or another, and finding myself greatly disappointed when things didn't go as I planned or expected them to. Failing at the career path I had felt called to purse, being overlooked for opportunities and jobs, dealing with a divorce, all of those things left me with an unsatisfying and angry attitude that was far from contentment.
I've been restless about a lot of things in my life, in some ways I'm still very restless. I have a hard time sitting still and always feel like I need to be doing something. When there is nothing to do immediately I find myself wasting time on YouTube. The reality is, restlessness is part of life. We weren't made to simply sit by, do nothing, and call it contentment, that sort of thinking is part of what drove me nuts and pushed me to the place I was in. There is a biblical form of restlessness that we are to pursue.
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3.7-14)
Biblical restlessness is the endless pursuit of Christlikeness. We should always be seeking to gain Christ, always pushing the limits of faith for deeper righteousness, seeking to fully live in the power of His resurrection. We should be restless, refusing to be satisfied with our relationship with Jesus, always pursuing deeper intimacy with Him. I am never to be content with how much I know Jesus, I am never to be content simply in the fact that I have been saved from sin. My goal should be to grow closer to Christ everyday, restlessly pursuing Him, and refusing to give up the chase for as long as I have breath in my lungs.
This sort of restless pursuit is only possible when I have learned to be content with everything else. It is only when I have learned to be satisfied with where God has me in life that I can give up chasing the next thing, and enjoy where He has me as I grow closer to Him, becoming more like Him, so that I can live more for Him.
Learn to be content, so you can restlessly pursue Christ.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
I've been frustrated over work and career things. I've been frustrated by relationships. I've been frustrated by life in general. Overall, a large portion of the last decade plus has been one big unsatisfying clump of time that I spent wishing for one thing or another, and finding myself greatly disappointed when things didn't go as I planned or expected them to. Failing at the career path I had felt called to purse, being overlooked for opportunities and jobs, dealing with a divorce, all of those things left me with an unsatisfying and angry attitude that was far from contentment.
I've been restless about a lot of things in my life, in some ways I'm still very restless. I have a hard time sitting still and always feel like I need to be doing something. When there is nothing to do immediately I find myself wasting time on YouTube. The reality is, restlessness is part of life. We weren't made to simply sit by, do nothing, and call it contentment, that sort of thinking is part of what drove me nuts and pushed me to the place I was in. There is a biblical form of restlessness that we are to pursue.
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3.7-14)
Biblical restlessness is the endless pursuit of Christlikeness. We should always be seeking to gain Christ, always pushing the limits of faith for deeper righteousness, seeking to fully live in the power of His resurrection. We should be restless, refusing to be satisfied with our relationship with Jesus, always pursuing deeper intimacy with Him. I am never to be content with how much I know Jesus, I am never to be content simply in the fact that I have been saved from sin. My goal should be to grow closer to Christ everyday, restlessly pursuing Him, and refusing to give up the chase for as long as I have breath in my lungs.
This sort of restless pursuit is only possible when I have learned to be content with everything else. It is only when I have learned to be satisfied with where God has me in life that I can give up chasing the next thing, and enjoy where He has me as I grow closer to Him, becoming more like Him, so that I can live more for Him.
Learn to be content, so you can restlessly pursue Christ.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Contentment, by Will
I listened to a book this past week that wasn't what I was expecting. The Hacking of the American Mind: The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains by Robert Lustig ultimately talks about how sugar is evil, and the need for instant gratification fuels our need for "the other white powder". While the book contains a lot of fascinating information, I learned that you can buy a Coca-Cola anywhere in the world except for North Korea, that eggs are pretty much the best single food you can eat, and that kids who sleep with a cell phone in their room sleep less than kids who don't, the biggest thing that stood out to me was the concept of happiness vs. contentment.
I'm going to pull out one of the most misquoted verses of the Bible in this post, so anyone who reads this is no longer allowed to misquote this passage. Philippians 4.13 says, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Any Bible verse I quote, unless otherwise indicated, is the NASB. I prefer this translation because it is the most literal translation of the original text).
As with any Biblical reference, context is crucial to understand what the author meant. Typically, this verse is taken by itself to mean that Christ will empower us to do anything, but that is not the meaning Paul was trying to communicate to the Philippian Church. The context says this,
"But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction." -Philippians 4.10-14
The key to this passage is found in verse 11, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." Paul is saying that He has found contentment in Christ, and can endure anything he faces because of the strength Christ gives him. Paul is not speaking of experiencing happiness, this man's life after Christ was full of struggles, read 2 Corinthians 11.24-31. Happiness was never his goal, and it shouldn't be ours. Happiness is fleeting, and when that becomes the goal we seek high after high, always needing more because we build up a tolerance, as Lustig points out. The goal, and the only way to find true satisfaction and joy, is to live for something other than an emotion that is so conditional upon external circumstances. The goal is joy that only comes from contentment in Christ.
Life is hard, and quite often it isn't fair, and if we live for happiness these realities will cause bitterness and resentment due to our sense of entitlement that isn't being fulfilled. But when we focus on being content, we can find true satisfaction in who Christ is, and who we are to Him.
Let us learn to be content, and when we learn to be content, we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. We will be free from a dependence to satisfy a fleeting emotion, and able to pursue a life that is really worth living. A content life can endure hardship, because Christ is with you, teaching and molding you through the difficulty. A content life can really enjoy blessings, because it will not create a need for more, but will be fully enjoyed in the moment. A content life is free to fully know Christ and be known by Christ. That is the life that He intended for us to live, content in whatever circumstances we are, because we can do all things through Christ.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
I'm going to pull out one of the most misquoted verses of the Bible in this post, so anyone who reads this is no longer allowed to misquote this passage. Philippians 4.13 says, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Any Bible verse I quote, unless otherwise indicated, is the NASB. I prefer this translation because it is the most literal translation of the original text).
As with any Biblical reference, context is crucial to understand what the author meant. Typically, this verse is taken by itself to mean that Christ will empower us to do anything, but that is not the meaning Paul was trying to communicate to the Philippian Church. The context says this,
"But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction." -Philippians 4.10-14
The key to this passage is found in verse 11, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." Paul is saying that He has found contentment in Christ, and can endure anything he faces because of the strength Christ gives him. Paul is not speaking of experiencing happiness, this man's life after Christ was full of struggles, read 2 Corinthians 11.24-31. Happiness was never his goal, and it shouldn't be ours. Happiness is fleeting, and when that becomes the goal we seek high after high, always needing more because we build up a tolerance, as Lustig points out. The goal, and the only way to find true satisfaction and joy, is to live for something other than an emotion that is so conditional upon external circumstances. The goal is joy that only comes from contentment in Christ.
Life is hard, and quite often it isn't fair, and if we live for happiness these realities will cause bitterness and resentment due to our sense of entitlement that isn't being fulfilled. But when we focus on being content, we can find true satisfaction in who Christ is, and who we are to Him.
Let us learn to be content, and when we learn to be content, we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. We will be free from a dependence to satisfy a fleeting emotion, and able to pursue a life that is really worth living. A content life can endure hardship, because Christ is with you, teaching and molding you through the difficulty. A content life can really enjoy blessings, because it will not create a need for more, but will be fully enjoyed in the moment. A content life is free to fully know Christ and be known by Christ. That is the life that He intended for us to live, content in whatever circumstances we are, because we can do all things through Christ.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Friday, April 27, 2018
Monsters: Part 2, by Will
Monsters aren't real in the way that my girls imagine them to be, but there is a real enemy. This is the reality of the world we live in, but there is also a very real God. He is strong, powerful, and well armed, and He covers those who trust in Him with his mighty shield. The enemy can be scary, and his goal is for us to be paralyzed by fear, but that is not how God intended for us to live. The protection of His shield gives us freedom to live without fear, because He has overcome the enemy. The protection of God does not make the enemy less real, but it makes the enemy powerless over us.
The Psalms speak of the protection of God's shield:
Psalm 3.3, "But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head."
Psalm 7.10, "My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart."
Psalm 18.2, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
Psalm 18.30, "As for God, His way is blameless; the word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him."
Psalm 28.7, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him."
Psalm 33.20, "Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield."
Psalm 91.4, "He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark."
Psalm 115.9, "O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield."
Psalm 119.114, "You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word."
Psalm 144.2, "My lovingkindness and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and He in whom I take refuge, who subdues my people under me."
Just as we live with the reality of a real enemy, we live in the presence of an even more real God. He holds his shield between us an the enemy, and we are safe, protected by His strength.
A fictional monster is no match for my symbolic shield, and the next day when I asked my girls why they didn't have to be afraid of monsters they said, "Because you have a sword and a shield." My two-year-old is really funny when she describes and mimics what I would do to a monster if it tried to get her. The message was reinforced when they opted to watch "Sleeping Beauty" (thankfully, they haven't exhausted this one yet) and Prince Phillip kills Maleficent with his sword and shield. They are beginning to understand that they have a strong and powerful daddy who will not let anything happen to them, even if a monster comes.
God is loving father, and He is strong and powerful. We do not need to be paralyzed by fear, because we are covered by His shield.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
The Psalms speak of the protection of God's shield:
Psalm 3.3, "But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head."
Psalm 7.10, "My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart."
Psalm 18.2, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
Psalm 18.30, "As for God, His way is blameless; the word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him."
Psalm 28.7, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him."
Psalm 33.20, "Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield."
Psalm 91.4, "He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark."
Psalm 115.9, "O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield."
Psalm 119.114, "You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word."
Psalm 144.2, "My lovingkindness and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and He in whom I take refuge, who subdues my people under me."
Just as we live with the reality of a real enemy, we live in the presence of an even more real God. He holds his shield between us an the enemy, and we are safe, protected by His strength.
A fictional monster is no match for my symbolic shield, and the next day when I asked my girls why they didn't have to be afraid of monsters they said, "Because you have a sword and a shield." My two-year-old is really funny when she describes and mimics what I would do to a monster if it tried to get her. The message was reinforced when they opted to watch "Sleeping Beauty" (thankfully, they haven't exhausted this one yet) and Prince Phillip kills Maleficent with his sword and shield. They are beginning to understand that they have a strong and powerful daddy who will not let anything happen to them, even if a monster comes.
God is loving father, and He is strong and powerful. We do not need to be paralyzed by fear, because we are covered by His shield.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Monsters: Part 1, by Will
Over the past few weekends with my girls, they have started to make comments at night. Each time as we get ready to watch a movie before bed, typically "Frozen" or "The Princess and the Frog" (they don't seem to realize that I own other animated kids movies), they always say "It's dark out, a monster's coming." I don't know where this has come from, but you can hear the fear in their words. It got to the point this past weekend where they wouldn't go upstairs without me because there was "something scary in our room." Trying to assure them that there is nothing there does not help. I hate seeing the paralyzing fear that overcomes my girls because of something they have imagined.
I've told them over and over, very gently as I hold them close and tight, that nothing can hurt them when they are with their daddy; that the monsters and scary things run away because the scary things are scared of daddy. They hug me tight and for a moment my comments work, but they don't seem to last very long, and the next night they are just as scared to go anywhere alone.
This past weekend I took things to the next level. I'm not going to try to convince them that monsters aren't real, you can't reason with a four and two year old that way, so instead, I'm working to show them how powerful daddy is. I may have mentioned it a few times, but I'm big fan of the ancient Greek Spartans. When I lived in Flint, Michigan I bought a Michigan State hat because it said "Spartans" across the bill (Aaron hates this hat, but it looked awesome when I wore it at Thermopylae). For a long time I wanted a Spartan shield. I'm not someone who typically collects a lot of things that just get displayed, I spent enough time cleaning up the clutter in foreclosed homes for one job I had to fill a place with stuff, but this was symbolic of who God has called me to be, and so a few years ago I found a full size replica on sale and bought it.
When I was going through my divorce, still praying for restoration, I would sometimes hold my shield in front of me, symbolically driving out Satan. At one point I felt that I was being taunted for not having a sword, and so at one point I felt God leading me to buy a sword. I had been looking at a Lakonia short sword for a while, and I would always talk myself out of it, but I really felt God leading me to buy it (He has not given me such a blessing for the custom traditionally made katana I've been looking at for years), and so recently I did. You can see a picture on my personal blog at: https://lionfighters.blogspot.com/
This past weekend, as my girls were in tears over the monsters that were coming for them, I told them that they didn't have to be afraid because daddy was ready to fight the monsters. I set them down and got out my weapons. I put my sword on, and I picked up my shield. Their backs were to the closet, where they are most afraid a monster is going to come from, and I showed them how if a monster were to come, I would take my shield and put it behind them, it covers both of them with plenty of room to spare (this thing is huge, the picture doesn't do it justice), and explained to them how I would use my sword (this didn't get taken out that close to them, it's sharp, and I'm a responsible parent). Immediately the expression on their faces changed; under my shield they smiled, and I think they began to know they were safe.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
I've told them over and over, very gently as I hold them close and tight, that nothing can hurt them when they are with their daddy; that the monsters and scary things run away because the scary things are scared of daddy. They hug me tight and for a moment my comments work, but they don't seem to last very long, and the next night they are just as scared to go anywhere alone.
This past weekend I took things to the next level. I'm not going to try to convince them that monsters aren't real, you can't reason with a four and two year old that way, so instead, I'm working to show them how powerful daddy is. I may have mentioned it a few times, but I'm big fan of the ancient Greek Spartans. When I lived in Flint, Michigan I bought a Michigan State hat because it said "Spartans" across the bill (Aaron hates this hat, but it looked awesome when I wore it at Thermopylae). For a long time I wanted a Spartan shield. I'm not someone who typically collects a lot of things that just get displayed, I spent enough time cleaning up the clutter in foreclosed homes for one job I had to fill a place with stuff, but this was symbolic of who God has called me to be, and so a few years ago I found a full size replica on sale and bought it.
When I was going through my divorce, still praying for restoration, I would sometimes hold my shield in front of me, symbolically driving out Satan. At one point I felt that I was being taunted for not having a sword, and so at one point I felt God leading me to buy a sword. I had been looking at a Lakonia short sword for a while, and I would always talk myself out of it, but I really felt God leading me to buy it (He has not given me such a blessing for the custom traditionally made katana I've been looking at for years), and so recently I did. You can see a picture on my personal blog at: https://lionfighters.blogspot.com/
This past weekend, as my girls were in tears over the monsters that were coming for them, I told them that they didn't have to be afraid because daddy was ready to fight the monsters. I set them down and got out my weapons. I put my sword on, and I picked up my shield. Their backs were to the closet, where they are most afraid a monster is going to come from, and I showed them how if a monster were to come, I would take my shield and put it behind them, it covers both of them with plenty of room to spare (this thing is huge, the picture doesn't do it justice), and explained to them how I would use my sword (this didn't get taken out that close to them, it's sharp, and I'm a responsible parent). Immediately the expression on their faces changed; under my shield they smiled, and I think they began to know they were safe.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Black holes bringing me closer to the Creator? by Aaron
Several scientists from Chile, Columbia University and Harvard University published an article in the journal Nature, discussing that they found many more black holes in the Milky Way galaxy than they first thought. Many scientists suspect that most galaxies have a massive black hole in the center; Sagittarius A is the name of the massive black hole in the middle of the Milky Way. After collecting data for many years from NASA Chandra X-Ray Observatory, the scientists have predicted that there are more than 10,000 isolated black holes surrounding Sagittarius A. This is a huge jump, because prior to these findings the number was closer to 60 in our galaxy.
Before I continue with this post, there is something you have to understand about me. I am a Nerd! I do not know much about astronomy, but I love learning about the stars, planets, moons, galaxies etc. There is so much we have learned about our galaxy and the universe, yet there is so much that we still have no clue about. As our technology advances and the equipment become more powerful, we will be able to explore more about our planet, galaxy, and other galaxies.
I personally love when articles come out about what new discoveries our telescopes have found in the universe. Each new discovery makes me look up to the heavens and say God you are awesome. I feel like God wants us to keep learning about our galaxy, because it just makes His glory shine that much brighter. Unfortunately, many of the scientists will search all their life for the answer of how the universe was created. The answer really is simple and lies in Genesis chapter 1: 14-19 “And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day”.
God said “Let there be lights” and he placed them in the sky to separate the light from the dark. Some of that darkness probably includes dark holes (I have no idea), but the bible does not specify because it really does not matter. The only thing that matters is that we all understand that this complex universe was created because it was SPOKEN by the God. Because of that knowledge, I now can enjoy the fact that this Earth is surrounding by 10,000 black holes and a gigantic black hole in the center. The reason I can enjoy that fact is because God wanted it to be that way. He placed the stars in the sky, and made these massive planets, he made these black holes to show off his glory. I think all of this new information points straight to the power of God and how much detail He put into His creation.
I cannot wait for more new discoveries from NASA and colleges in the future. NASA is such a large organization and I believe many Christians are a part of this organization. I hope as these individuals find more discoveries that many of the believers are able to point those discoveries to the Father. Even if you are not a nerd, just look up at the sky one day and think about the clouds, the sun, the moon, the rain, the snow, the wind, the mountains, the trees and anything else that is glorious about nature. I want you to understand that God made all of these things, and it was good. God Bless!
Before I continue with this post, there is something you have to understand about me. I am a Nerd! I do not know much about astronomy, but I love learning about the stars, planets, moons, galaxies etc. There is so much we have learned about our galaxy and the universe, yet there is so much that we still have no clue about. As our technology advances and the equipment become more powerful, we will be able to explore more about our planet, galaxy, and other galaxies.
I personally love when articles come out about what new discoveries our telescopes have found in the universe. Each new discovery makes me look up to the heavens and say God you are awesome. I feel like God wants us to keep learning about our galaxy, because it just makes His glory shine that much brighter. Unfortunately, many of the scientists will search all their life for the answer of how the universe was created. The answer really is simple and lies in Genesis chapter 1: 14-19 “And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day”.
God said “Let there be lights” and he placed them in the sky to separate the light from the dark. Some of that darkness probably includes dark holes (I have no idea), but the bible does not specify because it really does not matter. The only thing that matters is that we all understand that this complex universe was created because it was SPOKEN by the God. Because of that knowledge, I now can enjoy the fact that this Earth is surrounding by 10,000 black holes and a gigantic black hole in the center. The reason I can enjoy that fact is because God wanted it to be that way. He placed the stars in the sky, and made these massive planets, he made these black holes to show off his glory. I think all of this new information points straight to the power of God and how much detail He put into His creation.
I cannot wait for more new discoveries from NASA and colleges in the future. NASA is such a large organization and I believe many Christians are a part of this organization. I hope as these individuals find more discoveries that many of the believers are able to point those discoveries to the Father. Even if you are not a nerd, just look up at the sky one day and think about the clouds, the sun, the moon, the rain, the snow, the wind, the mountains, the trees and anything else that is glorious about nature. I want you to understand that God made all of these things, and it was good. God Bless!
Sunday, April 8, 2018
Burning the Candle at Both Ends, by Will
I finally understand that expression, and it's from personal experience. Figuratively, not literally, it would be dumb to lite both ends of a candle, how would you even use it? (There's my attempt at humor). I will say it isn't much smarter to do this figuratively.
For the past few months I've been really pushing and stretching myself. I have a goal that I am aiming for, and a pretty clear idea of how to pursue this goal. I've found certain opportunities that can set me up for success in the future, but I'm starting to really see the cost in the present. I'm really busy, a few weeks ago I slept less then 9 hours over four days, while working nearly 60 hours in that same span. I'm only 31, not as young as I used to be, but not all that old. My body is sore all the time, and I have found that I don't recover nearly as quickly as I used to, it took me over a week to recover from my 9 hour sleep week.
For a while now I've been asking myself, rather often, is this all worth it? There are no guarantees that all of this will pay off, and with the area I have to be in to be close enough and involved in the lives of my girls (a non-negotiable) the opportunities shrink dramatically. I've talked to Aaron and Jeremy a lot of about all of this, and they've both encouraged me, and reminded me that I need to begin to take some things off of my plate. I can't keep going at the pace I've been going for very long, and I've started to evaluate the criteria for doing something.
Is it essential?
Is it something I enjoy?
Does it move me towards my calling?
Does it help me become more like Christ?
Does it glorify God?
Everything is not going to fit all of these criteria, there will always be some essential tasks that I have to do that I don't enjoy doing (like studying Church History) but if an activity doesn't meet a majority of these criteria, it is not something I can allow myself to undertake.
This is not going to be an easy task for me, but I'm starting to see what my limits are, and I'm gaining more focus as I get older (I think that might be my word for the year, Focus). Focus is what is going to allow me to only burn the candle from one end. Focus is what is going to allow me to have a Sabbath, something that has been lacking in my life recently. Last weekend, when I first started writing this post, I felt the need for some alone time. I knew I would have some time Saturday morning, so I planned to spend a couple hours alone in the woods. It was colder than I was hoping, this April has been colder than normal, I took my hammock and went to the woods. I wasn't going hiking, though that normally is something that relaxes me, I just didn't have the energy to walk several miles. I put on all of my winter gear, lined my hammock with my space blanket, and relaxed between two trees for a couple hours.
That time was really needed, and really refreshing. I need more time like that in my life, and that means I've got to be more focused about the things I fill my time with. Before undertaking anything else, and continuing with any of my current engagements, I have to evaluate them, allowing my time to be focused only on the things that really matter.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
For the past few months I've been really pushing and stretching myself. I have a goal that I am aiming for, and a pretty clear idea of how to pursue this goal. I've found certain opportunities that can set me up for success in the future, but I'm starting to really see the cost in the present. I'm really busy, a few weeks ago I slept less then 9 hours over four days, while working nearly 60 hours in that same span. I'm only 31, not as young as I used to be, but not all that old. My body is sore all the time, and I have found that I don't recover nearly as quickly as I used to, it took me over a week to recover from my 9 hour sleep week.
For a while now I've been asking myself, rather often, is this all worth it? There are no guarantees that all of this will pay off, and with the area I have to be in to be close enough and involved in the lives of my girls (a non-negotiable) the opportunities shrink dramatically. I've talked to Aaron and Jeremy a lot of about all of this, and they've both encouraged me, and reminded me that I need to begin to take some things off of my plate. I can't keep going at the pace I've been going for very long, and I've started to evaluate the criteria for doing something.
Is it essential?
Is it something I enjoy?
Does it move me towards my calling?
Does it help me become more like Christ?
Does it glorify God?
Everything is not going to fit all of these criteria, there will always be some essential tasks that I have to do that I don't enjoy doing (like studying Church History) but if an activity doesn't meet a majority of these criteria, it is not something I can allow myself to undertake.
This is not going to be an easy task for me, but I'm starting to see what my limits are, and I'm gaining more focus as I get older (I think that might be my word for the year, Focus). Focus is what is going to allow me to only burn the candle from one end. Focus is what is going to allow me to have a Sabbath, something that has been lacking in my life recently. Last weekend, when I first started writing this post, I felt the need for some alone time. I knew I would have some time Saturday morning, so I planned to spend a couple hours alone in the woods. It was colder than I was hoping, this April has been colder than normal, I took my hammock and went to the woods. I wasn't going hiking, though that normally is something that relaxes me, I just didn't have the energy to walk several miles. I put on all of my winter gear, lined my hammock with my space blanket, and relaxed between two trees for a couple hours.
That time was really needed, and really refreshing. I need more time like that in my life, and that means I've got to be more focused about the things I fill my time with. Before undertaking anything else, and continuing with any of my current engagements, I have to evaluate them, allowing my time to be focused only on the things that really matter.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Saturday, March 31, 2018
Two Approaches to Life: Conclusion, by Will and Jeremy
Will here, I'm going to be writing this post solo. I believe I can share this (he did post it to Facebook after all) Jeremy is in the process of moving out of state, and it was a bit of a rush to get all of these written before he left this week. We decided that it would be simplest for me to write the concluding post, so I'm going to sum up our thoughts the best I can.
The last two and a half years of my life have been a time of pain, and growth; after all, our greatest growth comes from our deepest pain. God has used the experiences I have had to show me areas where He needs to work in my life, and aspects of who I have always been that I need to surrender to Him so that I can become who He created me to be. God gave me the personality I have, it is part of what makes me uniquely me, and He doesn't change that. However, He does call us to be stretched beyond our comfort zone, as we walk in faith with Him. Faith and planning don't go hand in hand very easily, trust and order are not the most compatible traveling buddies, but in realizing this, God has helped me to see areas where I desire control, and is helping me learn to surrender that to Him. I'll always be a dreamer, a planner, and a thinker, but I am learning to also live by faith, being guided by God, and making the most of the moment.
When I met Jeremy ten years ago, I had no idea that I had found a brother. I had no idea that I had met someone who would stand by my side in my most difficult hour, encourage me through the hardships I would face, challenge me to grow and push me to go deeper with God, or someone who would teach me about life, faith, relationships, and adventure. When I found out he was leaving the state, it was a bit of rough revelation; he's been close by for so long, and for a while we saw each other at least every other week. I know that this next step in his life is part of what God wants to do in him. In the past few years he's shared parts of his story with me, I believe I've challenged him in ways that stretch him, and encourage growth, healing, and deeper relationship with God, in the same ways he has challenged me.
God put us together, two men with many similarities, and yet with two completely opposite approaches to life. By doing life together, we've learned from each other, and this relationship has allowed us to both see areas where God is wanting to do more work. I know that this move is a huge step of faith for Jeremy, even for someone who lives in the moment, and I believe that God is going to speak to him in ways that He couldn't do without this obedience. For me, I'm learning about the need for focus, and God is using the things I am experiencing now to help me learn to really trust Him. The journey Jeremy is on is one that requires a bit more planning, and structure, as he said, a goal to be able to measure growth. For me, I'm learning to let go, and not be so stuck on the goal that I never start the journey.
God has been at work it both of us, teaching us about who we are, and who we were created to be. God has used our relationship to push us towards Christlikeness. I am so grateful for my brother, and I look forward to what the future holds. We won't see each other as often now, but we've been friends for a decade, and no distance is going to hinder that.
So brother, I'm looking forward to June in Pennsylvania, sitting in our hammocks by the river, early in the morning with a hot beverage, talking about our journeys, taking in the moment, and sharing our God given dreams.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
The last two and a half years of my life have been a time of pain, and growth; after all, our greatest growth comes from our deepest pain. God has used the experiences I have had to show me areas where He needs to work in my life, and aspects of who I have always been that I need to surrender to Him so that I can become who He created me to be. God gave me the personality I have, it is part of what makes me uniquely me, and He doesn't change that. However, He does call us to be stretched beyond our comfort zone, as we walk in faith with Him. Faith and planning don't go hand in hand very easily, trust and order are not the most compatible traveling buddies, but in realizing this, God has helped me to see areas where I desire control, and is helping me learn to surrender that to Him. I'll always be a dreamer, a planner, and a thinker, but I am learning to also live by faith, being guided by God, and making the most of the moment.
When I met Jeremy ten years ago, I had no idea that I had found a brother. I had no idea that I had met someone who would stand by my side in my most difficult hour, encourage me through the hardships I would face, challenge me to grow and push me to go deeper with God, or someone who would teach me about life, faith, relationships, and adventure. When I found out he was leaving the state, it was a bit of rough revelation; he's been close by for so long, and for a while we saw each other at least every other week. I know that this next step in his life is part of what God wants to do in him. In the past few years he's shared parts of his story with me, I believe I've challenged him in ways that stretch him, and encourage growth, healing, and deeper relationship with God, in the same ways he has challenged me.
God put us together, two men with many similarities, and yet with two completely opposite approaches to life. By doing life together, we've learned from each other, and this relationship has allowed us to both see areas where God is wanting to do more work. I know that this move is a huge step of faith for Jeremy, even for someone who lives in the moment, and I believe that God is going to speak to him in ways that He couldn't do without this obedience. For me, I'm learning about the need for focus, and God is using the things I am experiencing now to help me learn to really trust Him. The journey Jeremy is on is one that requires a bit more planning, and structure, as he said, a goal to be able to measure growth. For me, I'm learning to let go, and not be so stuck on the goal that I never start the journey.
God has been at work it both of us, teaching us about who we are, and who we were created to be. God has used our relationship to push us towards Christlikeness. I am so grateful for my brother, and I look forward to what the future holds. We won't see each other as often now, but we've been friends for a decade, and no distance is going to hinder that.
So brother, I'm looking forward to June in Pennsylvania, sitting in our hammocks by the river, early in the morning with a hot beverage, talking about our journeys, taking in the moment, and sharing our God given dreams.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Two Approaches to Life: Why I've Been Challenged to Change, by Will and Jeremy
Will here:
As I've talked with Jeremy over the past year and a half, and reflected on my divorce and everything that led up to it, I began to see that I had spent so much of my life simply existing. My natural inclination to plan took over, and all I ever did was plan and dream. There is nothing wrong with having a plan, I think it's a good thing, but when the planning process keeps you from living life, that becomes a problem. Too much planning doesn't allow for faith or trust in God, and planning can be a response to fear. As long as you're planning, you have an excuse for not taking action.
In addition to this, I've stated to realize that life is not about the destination, but the journey. Living happens on the road. When you're challenged to adapt and overcome obstacles, whey you have to really trust God to come through, that is when you really learn about who He is, what He is capable of, and how much He cares for you.
I've been challenged to change because I'm tired of how my life has gone. My life stopped going the way I thought it would go when I was 17. At that moment I began to play it safe. I never stopped planning and dreaming, but I never acted on any of those plans and dreams. I simply waited for everything to fall into place, and for opportunities to just present themselves. As a result, I've let things pass me by. I'm now 31, which really isn't that old, but at the same time I'm not as young as you used to be. Life has not worked out like I planned, and I spent years living in insecurity, with no real identity, and just existing as I waited for life to start.
Life is meant to be lived. I want to seize the day, live in the moment more, and really begin to act in faith and trust God. That doesn't mean shirking responsibility for reckless living, and it doesn't mean to cease dreaming and planning all together, but it does mean that I need to take to the road, and start pursuing some of my dreams. If I don't, then dying in my bed many years from now, I'll be wishing for one chance, just one chance, to go back and do things differently. I already wish I had done things differently up to this point, but fortunately for me, I still have time, and I want to make the most of every moment I have left.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Jeremy:
Much of what I have written about my approach has been slightly romanticized. While there are many positives to living life more flexible and free, able to adapt and change, it also carries with it a tendency to drift. When you have a goal in life, one main target you are aiming at, you know when you have hit that target and when you have missed it. This also applies with a long-term plan. You have a way of recognizing when you are moving forward, and when opportunities come up you can decide what to do because they will either align with the plan or not. It gives you a rubric to measure decisions and opportunities. I have been challgenged to change through three main avenues: 1). Conversations with Will. Our conversations about our differences were how I initially recognized my approach. 2). When I recently started dating a girl I realized I cannot continue to live without some basic plan in life. Now it is not just me; I am responsible to another person and it is not fair to her to always tell her, “we will just decide as we go”. 3). I realized as I started to make some serious plans that I have not been living to my full potential. Without a plan, a means to move in the direction I want to go, or a means of accomplishing my goals, I was drifting. Those feelings were real, not just erroneous feelings that would come and go. To clarify, I have always had ideas or dreams of where I might go or what I could do. However, I’ve been challenged to change because I want to accomplish as much as I can in life, and without a plan I will never get there. The feeling of drifting actually shows up because I have no orientation to help guide me when I lose sight of what is right in front of me. A plan actually helps keep us on target so we are able to move forward through disappointment and discouragement. We will surely be disappointed. Things will not always go our way. God will make sure of that simply because what we plan for our life is never perfectly aligned with what He sees concerning our potential and His dreams for us. He uses disappointment to help us see new things, to change course and readjust our directions. And, in the end, it is always good.
As I've talked with Jeremy over the past year and a half, and reflected on my divorce and everything that led up to it, I began to see that I had spent so much of my life simply existing. My natural inclination to plan took over, and all I ever did was plan and dream. There is nothing wrong with having a plan, I think it's a good thing, but when the planning process keeps you from living life, that becomes a problem. Too much planning doesn't allow for faith or trust in God, and planning can be a response to fear. As long as you're planning, you have an excuse for not taking action.
In addition to this, I've stated to realize that life is not about the destination, but the journey. Living happens on the road. When you're challenged to adapt and overcome obstacles, whey you have to really trust God to come through, that is when you really learn about who He is, what He is capable of, and how much He cares for you.
I've been challenged to change because I'm tired of how my life has gone. My life stopped going the way I thought it would go when I was 17. At that moment I began to play it safe. I never stopped planning and dreaming, but I never acted on any of those plans and dreams. I simply waited for everything to fall into place, and for opportunities to just present themselves. As a result, I've let things pass me by. I'm now 31, which really isn't that old, but at the same time I'm not as young as you used to be. Life has not worked out like I planned, and I spent years living in insecurity, with no real identity, and just existing as I waited for life to start.
Life is meant to be lived. I want to seize the day, live in the moment more, and really begin to act in faith and trust God. That doesn't mean shirking responsibility for reckless living, and it doesn't mean to cease dreaming and planning all together, but it does mean that I need to take to the road, and start pursuing some of my dreams. If I don't, then dying in my bed many years from now, I'll be wishing for one chance, just one chance, to go back and do things differently. I already wish I had done things differently up to this point, but fortunately for me, I still have time, and I want to make the most of every moment I have left.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Jeremy:
Much of what I have written about my approach has been slightly romanticized. While there are many positives to living life more flexible and free, able to adapt and change, it also carries with it a tendency to drift. When you have a goal in life, one main target you are aiming at, you know when you have hit that target and when you have missed it. This also applies with a long-term plan. You have a way of recognizing when you are moving forward, and when opportunities come up you can decide what to do because they will either align with the plan or not. It gives you a rubric to measure decisions and opportunities. I have been challgenged to change through three main avenues: 1). Conversations with Will. Our conversations about our differences were how I initially recognized my approach. 2). When I recently started dating a girl I realized I cannot continue to live without some basic plan in life. Now it is not just me; I am responsible to another person and it is not fair to her to always tell her, “we will just decide as we go”. 3). I realized as I started to make some serious plans that I have not been living to my full potential. Without a plan, a means to move in the direction I want to go, or a means of accomplishing my goals, I was drifting. Those feelings were real, not just erroneous feelings that would come and go. To clarify, I have always had ideas or dreams of where I might go or what I could do. However, I’ve been challenged to change because I want to accomplish as much as I can in life, and without a plan I will never get there. The feeling of drifting actually shows up because I have no orientation to help guide me when I lose sight of what is right in front of me. A plan actually helps keep us on target so we are able to move forward through disappointment and discouragement. We will surely be disappointed. Things will not always go our way. God will make sure of that simply because what we plan for our life is never perfectly aligned with what He sees concerning our potential and His dreams for us. He uses disappointment to help us see new things, to change course and readjust our directions. And, in the end, it is always good.
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