Prayer
So, I have ben really wrapped up in this idea of prayer. Most of us sit in a chair of complacency when it comes to prayer and our prayers end up being some sort of rehearsed speech that we give. Should our prayers be more of a conversation that we look forward to the next time we chat? Should our chats with God ever end?(1 Thess. 5:17) I would love for my prayers to be like breathing, something that always happens, but without me controlling and forcing it to be what I want it to be.
La de da
Just thought I would post something today. The clouds are out and I feel really sleepy. Lots of stuff to do, but wanted to write a little about the day. That’s all.
High School Confidential
OK, I have to make a confession. The other day I was flipping through my gazillion channels and came across a show entitled, High School Confidential. It is the dramatic 4 year story of 12 High School girls from Kansas. The creator follows these girls for four years and interviews them along the way. Then has combined each of the girls stories over the 4 years into a one hour show. I was mesmerized by the pain and struggle that these teens go through. I have been working in youth ministry since I was in high school and I have never seemed to fully grasp that this kind of life happens outside of the church. My heart broke listening to the paths that these girls decided was best for them and the repercussions that happen.
I love tivo because I was able to record most of the episodes and I have it set to record if the other episodes air, but I believe that even itunes has them for download if you want to get a glimpse into the lives of teens in our world today. Prepare to be shocked, bewildered, and amazed at the situations these girls must go through between the ages of 14 and 18!
Love
I have been thinking about this idea of LOVE. It is such a huge idea, such a huge concept, my mind has a hard time grasping it. I LOVE lasagna, but at the same time I LOVE my wife and daughter. How is this possible? I was reading through 1 Corinthians 13 and trying to understand what LOVE really is and isn’t. If we actually LOVE God, are we patient and kind? If we actually LOVE God, do we abstain from envy, boasting, pride, rudeness, selfishness, anger, holding grudges? If we truly LOVE God, do we delight in the truth? Because God says He is LOVE! He always protects, always hopes, always perseveres! He is awesome! He is the true definition of LOVE and I have a long way to go to actually understand LOVE.
Walking in the Spirit
The American Dream is all about someone with little gaining a lot and being wealthy and secure in the work that they do. The American Dream is owning a home and growing old in it with grandkids running around. The American Dream is about bettering oneself and making more with what you have.This seems to be backwards from what Paul teaches about being led by the Spirit. Do we really believe that God would want us to have more just so we can keep it to ourselves? Do we really believe that He wants us to have homes that are too big for us to clean that we need to hire others to come in and clean it for us. Does this seem backwards to anyone else?
Fishing in the Wind
Got up this morning in Delaware to go fishing with my bro-in-law. Woke up to 38 degrees with a 20 knot sustained wind. After 5 casts, our hands were frozen and we called it quits. Maybe we will get out later today or tomorrow for more fun.
Lunch with Richard
So, I was driving into Jamba Juice the other day and saw a guy outside asking the cars for help. I have seen this guy throughout the Conejo at different restaurants asking for money. I have been going through the book of James with my students and really felt like I could no longer just “walk on by.” So, I rolled down my window and asked if I could buy him lunch. We met up at the sandwich shop and were waiting in line together. The guy behind the counter asked if we wanted it for here or to go. I let Richard decide and he said here. When I said here as well he looked at me kind of strange. We got our lunches and sat down. I then asked him for his story and he went on for the next hour and a half sharing his life story of growing up in LA, being in the Air Force, and ending up on the streets in the Conejo Valley.
It was an awesome afternoon and it seemed like Richard had never been cared for or asked about his life. I hope to have more lunches like this.
Susan G. Komen
So, tomorrow I will be running in a 5k to raise money for the Breast Cancer Foundation. My wife, daughter, and I will be in Pasadena for this even tomorrow. Should be fun.
Little Kid Eating Ice Cream
Have you ever seen a little kid eat ice cream? The wonder and excitement that they have when they receive this forbidden treat! The first taste that they take and the upper lip covered by the delicious cream. They get so much joy from this experience. They take their time with each bite and may take bites that are too big for them to fit into their mouths.
I recently took my 2 year old daughter to Golden Spoon and got her a strawberry frozen yogurt. She LOVED it! I got a vanilla frozen yogurt with some fudge on it! Yummy! But, as far as I could tell, Katie seemed to enjoy her ice cream much more than me! Mine was good, but I didn’t squeal with excitement! Why was this? Was it because Strawberry is superior to vanilla? Was it that mine had fudge and somehow diluted the taste and enjoyment of the ice cream? Or was it that my senses have been diluted over the years and that the trip to the ice cream shop no longer has the “experience” factor that goes along with it?
I believe it to be the latter. I think we treat church like this sometimes. When I was five I was so excited about church that I told my pastor that I wanted to be like him someday. Wow, those were the days. Do we get up on Sunday mornings and head to church with excitement or has it become a weekly ritual that leaves you wanting more? Many of us blame the pastor or the worship for not making us “feel good.” But, maybe it is our hearts that we need to examine and see if church has become as common as vanilla with fudge.
College Retreat
So this past weekend I took 8 college students up to Arrowhead for an amazing retreat weekend. The fellowship was incredible, the conversations stimulating, and the RISK games were intense! We had a great time and everyone was safe as we boarded and skied, except for Aaron, but you can ask him about that. HAHA.
