As I write this I have to keep getting up and going to the door. The doorbell just keeps ringing and ringing. Of course it’s just a little after 7 pm… and it’s Halloween.
The funny thing is while I probably know some of the people who have come to my door tonight – I don’t recognize many of them. I think it has something to do with all of the masks they are wearing. Now, those of you who know me know where I am going with this one…we all like to wear masks…everyday! As I talk with people what I find is that very few are really themselves most of the day. I mean they are themselves…inside, but to the rest of the world they are mostly who they think others want them to be. We wear the “right” clothes. We drive the “right” car…or truck…or SUV. We live in the “right” neighborhood. We hang out with the “right” people. But for all we are doing to be “right” could we have it all wrong?
I’ve been working on some writing about TRANSPARENCY, and while this has a ways to go, the basic thought is – if I don’t have any secrets then there’s not much anyone could say that would hurt me. If people know my hurts and hang-ups then there’s nothing they could say to someone else that I wouldn’t be willing to tell them myself – there’s nothing to hide, so there’s nothing to be afraid of. Well, there’s a lot more to say on this idea, but I’ll let you chew on that one a little – and I’d love to get your comments on that idea.
Happy UNmasking!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Halloween - Part 1
This is one of those holidays where I struggle. As a believer, I’m not terribly fond of a holiday that celebrates death, evil and fear. Those just are not real uplifting themes to me.
Yet, aren’t these things just as real as life, joy and peace? Maybe it’s my natural reaction to not want to think of myself as mortal. I don’t really want to dwell on how short life is and how quickly it’s over. But the truth is – death and evil and fear are very much alive (no pun intended) in our world today.
So, what a good time to reflect on what’s my life about. What’s really important to me? Our next holiday is thanksgiving (which I like a lot more than Halloween), but the truth is without the bad there wouldn’t be much reason to celebrate the good. So, what am I thankful for and what am I doing with my life? Great questions!
A few friends and I are in the very first stages of starting a new church. What a great time! And yet, it so easy to start worrying about all of the things that could go wrong… a little fear comes into view. And what about the one who does not want us to succeed… feels like evil is close by. And what if this whole thing falls apart…what if the dream…dies? You see even in the good things there are the not-so-good things. So what does all this mean? I don’t know – at least not fully. But I do know that I want to live life to the full. This reminds me of my favorite verse – John 10:10 – Jesus says, “The thief's (talking about the Devil) purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My (Jesus) purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
I guess this means the choice is ours – we can either take whatever life (and the Devil) throw at us, or we can seek to live for Jesus and find true life – in fact, eternal life.
Yet, aren’t these things just as real as life, joy and peace? Maybe it’s my natural reaction to not want to think of myself as mortal. I don’t really want to dwell on how short life is and how quickly it’s over. But the truth is – death and evil and fear are very much alive (no pun intended) in our world today.
So, what a good time to reflect on what’s my life about. What’s really important to me? Our next holiday is thanksgiving (which I like a lot more than Halloween), but the truth is without the bad there wouldn’t be much reason to celebrate the good. So, what am I thankful for and what am I doing with my life? Great questions!
A few friends and I are in the very first stages of starting a new church. What a great time! And yet, it so easy to start worrying about all of the things that could go wrong… a little fear comes into view. And what about the one who does not want us to succeed… feels like evil is close by. And what if this whole thing falls apart…what if the dream…dies? You see even in the good things there are the not-so-good things. So what does all this mean? I don’t know – at least not fully. But I do know that I want to live life to the full. This reminds me of my favorite verse – John 10:10 – Jesus says, “The thief's (talking about the Devil) purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My (Jesus) purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
I guess this means the choice is ours – we can either take whatever life (and the Devil) throw at us, or we can seek to live for Jesus and find true life – in fact, eternal life.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Is today just another day?
A question that often comes to mind for me - Is today just another day?
As my life begins to accelerate towards the big four-o, I find myself asking this question more often. I really do not want today to be just another day. I want to make a difference in someone else's life. I want to do something - even if it's just step one - towards making this world a better place to live.
The problem - what I think will make this world better seems to change as often as the seasons.
So, today, I once again wonder - is today just another day? My spiritual life tells me today is a gift from God, my Bible tells me today is another day meant to be lived to its fullest. My heart tells me, God has a perfect plan and His timing is not always (in fact, is rarely) my timing. So, today, my desire is to look for ways to bring joy to someone else - just to make them smile (if only for the moment). And pray that God would work through me to fulfill His dreams for me and for those I come in contact with today.
Hey God... thanks for another day - help me to live it "maxed-out" for You!
As my life begins to accelerate towards the big four-o, I find myself asking this question more often. I really do not want today to be just another day. I want to make a difference in someone else's life. I want to do something - even if it's just step one - towards making this world a better place to live.
The problem - what I think will make this world better seems to change as often as the seasons.
So, today, I once again wonder - is today just another day? My spiritual life tells me today is a gift from God, my Bible tells me today is another day meant to be lived to its fullest. My heart tells me, God has a perfect plan and His timing is not always (in fact, is rarely) my timing. So, today, my desire is to look for ways to bring joy to someone else - just to make them smile (if only for the moment). And pray that God would work through me to fulfill His dreams for me and for those I come in contact with today.
Hey God... thanks for another day - help me to live it "maxed-out" for You!
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
The Maiden Voyage
Hello All! Only time will tell if I maintain this blog, but my intentions are to simply journal my thoughts. As a pastor and a church planter, a good number (maybe all) will relate to life and God - as that is what I think about most often. Maybe more specifically, what kind of life does God want for me and how do I get it.
Check back every once in a while and see how my journey is going.
Check back every once in a while and see how my journey is going.
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