The Power of Perspective

This morning I am hopeful.  Beside it being a beautiful May morning and all around everything seeming at peace, there is an awareness developing inside me. 

Primarily it is an increased understanding of a shift in my understanding about some key relationships in my life.  It is almost as though I have new eyes and can see what I couldn't see before.  I recognize the part I have to play (my responsibility) in growing those relationships and I am energized to affect some changes to the way I relate.  It is exciting to me because it seems as though a new day has dawned.  I sense God guiding me into a new realm of partnering with Him.  I am reminded of His faithfulness in answering some of my earnest prayers and overcoming some of my "issues".  I sense the Holy Spirit, like never before in my life, guiding me into truth.

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." John 16:13

Also, I am compelled to explain that the hope I feel is a derivative of the qualitative improvement in my personal time with God.  In His grace He has led me to seek Him in ways that, recently, I have not sought Him.  Despite the weakness in my life, of which I have become more keenly aware, I perceive a strength that He is building up in me.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

I realize I am writing in generalities in this post, but here is the take-away:

There are times in life when we are desperately looking for the circumstances around us to change, but we fail to recognize the change should begin within us.  We have an invaluable asset in the Holy Spirit who wants to lead us into all truth.  It may not be our preferred journey towards transformation, but when it is all complete we are closer to God and we have hope in a situation that before left us feeling hopeless.

Ah, the power of perspective.

What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?

People's reasoning places such a huge obstacle in their personal growth in God. We attempt to apply human analysis to things that the spiritual mind is needed to comprehend.

I have been facing others using human reasoning to cope with circumstances the last few days and I came across this quotation from Tertullian. "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?" Why attempt to take the things of God and approach it without having His ways in mind?

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:9

I want to have the mind of Christ. In every situation I face. May it be Lord.

The Resilency of Plants

I'm thankful for it.

While I was away recently, I left my garden to my wife. Her hands were full with many things, so I didn't expect her to attend to my garden the way I would.

I have been home for a little over a week now and it is great to see my plants recovering from the neglect. New growth and lush green from the same pot that was wilted just days ago.

I saw my entire garden recover from a destructive hail storm this season. I was more distraught that the plants I had nurtured were stripped, than I was that my car was peppered with dents.

But, the resilency of plants have taught me a lot about God.

It reminds me that God has designed it that way to remind me that dry spells are not a final judgment. He brings streams in the desert. He can make a dry place into an oasis. He can transform hurt into healing.

May it be so, in and through my life.

Going to the Shore

It has been awhile since I last posted. My second son Jude was born a little over a year ago. I have been struggling to regain balance and center in my life. So, I am revisiting blogging, so that my thoughts and feelings can be articulated.

I heard my son Jared say last night that we were going to the shore soon. He is three and I am surprised daily by the things that come out of his mouth. He is very aware and absorbs so much. We ARE going to the shore in a couple of weeks. The fact that he knew it and spit it out in context (my wife returning from Target with some supplies for our trip) is what amazed me.

As my boys get bigger, I see myself get older, I find myself very uneasy. No longer are my days predictable and self-directed. Instead there is a lot of responsibility riding on my shoulders. Each day seems to intensify the reality for me. They need me -- I am under increasing stress -- my time is not my own -- when can I rest?

I want (desperately) to do this thing called "life" well, and I am am losing control over it -- or so it seems. As I type these words, I recall the truth that God is in control. There is truly too much to do, so I must learn, and remember, to do only the best things. This requires discipline and a deep connection to the source of true power.

Without trying to sound cliché, I believe herein lies the value of being centered -- remembering my priorities and staying true to them through the storms of life. I need God to be my North Star--Fixed and Reliable. I get overwhelmed and discouraged and distracted and weary. I need a Love that is unchangeable to propel me to action.

The shore is just a couple weeks away. I pray that the time away, enjoying the blessings of family, will realign me. May my ears be open to God's truth, so that I can be restored.

Brevity

Our lives are short - relatively speaking. Somewhere about five years ago, life began to speed up for me. Marriage, home ownership, becoming a parent...I am amazed at how chocked full the last ten years have been.

And I am at a time of reflection. Suddenly I look back and see the fulfillment of so many of my dreams. Now, I don't want to waste the time I have remaining. I know it will only be a few moments from now. I have always known that...But I never realized that it would suddenly really seem true. I have a full life. And I am only 33. Mid-life is around the corner. Wow.

My wife's grandfather is sick with cancer. It has caused me to reflect on the brevity of our earthly sojourn. I want to be faithful to God and to others. May my examination provoke me to act.

Growing Up

I have been working on my office the past week. It is nearly complete in it's renovation and I find it interesting that folks have such differing opinions of the changes I have made -- it has gone from "college dorm room" to "eclectic professional" office. No matter what people say, I am very happy with the changes because they reflect a inward course shift for me.

I want to be more intentional this coming year in following Jesus. I would like to see my "issues" interfere less in accomplishing goals. And rather than sit back and wallow in frustration at the circumstances around me, I will take action and order my world so that I can flourish. There are too many important things at stake. So I will act. And where my hands are tied, I will turn to a different situation and use my feet.

Not too long ago I turned 33 years old. Being married and having a son with another child on the way has helped me to realize that I am a full-fledged adult. I need to make the most of each day. I don't want to get bogged down by the things I used to let distract me. So I am feeling good. Embracing my blossoming maturity. I want to make a difference. So I will let God make a difference in me.

River Rink

Tonight, I took the youth group to the River Rink. We went last week too, but only a few of the students were present for both times. Young people are so busy nowadays (even during a school break) that it is difficult to organize and carry out events that will consistently have wide spread appeal.

As a youth pastor, usually I am content to have teachable moments sprinkled into an event, no matter the attendance. But, from time to time, I feel somewhat discouraged that more youth are not more consistent. Some of these guys I hardly talk to, much less have opportunity to invest in them... I try to do what I can, but I can only do so much.

So, I have to take what I can get and make the most of the opportunities. I guess the thing that I have learned is that you never know when there will be an opportunity for a seed to be planted, or watered, or pruned, or harvested. I just have to keep my eyes open and my heart tuned to the Father, so that I can be faithful. Even if my charges are not always in front of me, I can trust He is working in them. I can only do my part. So Lord, help me to do my part well and trust you with the rest.