This past Saturday morning, I attempted to fly back to Washington from Chicago. I had booked a flight that left Chicago at 9 am. Since it was raining a little bit when I woke up, I decided to go early on the off chance that I could catch an earlier flight. On the drive out, the rain picked up and I realized it was unlikely that flights would leave on time and I thought my chances for catching an earlier flight were actually improving because of the likely delays.
When I got to the airport, the ticket counters were a disaster. I assume that it was mostly people who had flights cancelled because of Ike. The security line was very short and I got right through, but the earlier flights had already left. The 9 am flight boarded late, but it looked like we were going to be pretty close to on time. Then, before we pushed back, there was lightning and we had to wait for over an hour. When we finally did push back, there were problems with the brakes on the plane. We needed to return to a gate, but many gates were flooding from all the rain and others were full. We waited for more than another hour before the plane finally returned to the gate and let us all off.
Those of us who travel a good bit immediately ran to try to get on other flights. I was one of the lucky few who got seats on a flight that was supposed to leave at 11, but already was delayed until after 12, and ultimately left somewhere closer to 2:30. My original flight eventually was cancelled.
Sitting in various airplanes waiting to leave it was pretty hard to get too upset. After all, although the rain was causing flooding of roads and runways around Chicago, it was nothing to what people had experienced over the weekend along the Gulf Coast and Houston (you are all in my prayers).
While I was waiting to leave because of the weather, I kept getting reports from pilots, etc., that the weather in Washington was nice. As I listened to some music, and thought some about this post, I went through all of the obvious analogies - being delivered from storms to nice days, etc. But, when I landed safely in Washington, what I ended up thinking about the most was just the delay in getting to my "final destination," as they say in airline lingo.
It made me think about all the delays I have experience in my spiritual journey. I wish I could say that there had been a straight path that I followed on the road to a relationship with Christ, but there hasn't been. I know that is the case for a lot of people that I have spoken with, and I suspect that is the case for most of us. There are starts and stops. Times that it seems like we are moving full speed ahead, but then, for one reason or anther, there is a delay. Times when it seems like we are on a straight road, but then we hit detours.
Although used in the context of a love song, I think of the following from Rascal Flatts' "Bless the Broken Road":
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
I know that it is not what I think of the road and the delays that makes a difference. It is God's plan and for one reason or another (on the day that I sit at His side I hope to have a greater understanding of the Master Plan) it is the road that has led me straight to Him. I am blessed that God is patient with me and what I allow to become my delays. "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentence." 2 Peter 3:9
While I often feel differently in a worldly sense, in a spiritual sense it is not about how quickly we can get to our final destination. It makes no difference if we have delays or get rerouted. In many respects it is not about the journey at all (I don't say that in any way suggesting that how we live our lives is not important - of course it is) - it is about reaching that "final destination" by whatever road.
For anyone reading this, I would appreciate it if you would join me in prayers for friends, and millions of people that I don't yet know, that are recovering from the impact of the recent hurricanes (as well as those who continue attempting to recover from Katrina/Rita/etc.). Thanks.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Family of Faith
At my church last week we started a new sermon series called "Faith at Home". Very generally speaking, it is directed towards making Faith about more than Sunday mornings at the church. The key Biblical passage comes from Joshua:
"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15
The series fits well with a new program that is going to be starting tonight called - surprisingly enough - Faith at Home Family Groups. It is going to be a family discipleship class that will meet as a large group and then break into a number of smaller groups. Tracy and I have volunteered our family to serve as facilitators for a small group. While I am excited about it, I am also a little nervous for the program as a whole and for us as a family.
Personally, I think the idea is fantastic. We have historically had a number of small groups meeting after dinner on Wednesday nights, but they have not included kids in the groups. The kids had their own place to go. So this will be a significant change.
I did not grow up in a church. I had lots of friends that were active in their churches, and we usually attended VBS, but that was it. In high school I once decided that I should read the Bible, kind of like I should read Shakespeare or Dickens. I tried, for a while, but I never got into it and never made it very far. Despite not growing up in a church, my parents did an amazing job instilling strong values and an openness and willingness to listen and accept. I would not be the person that I am without the way that they raised me. I never felt like I was missing anything by not being involved in a church, and I don't think that I would change any of it. I'm not sure that I would feel as strongly as I do about my Faith without that background and having come to my Faith in the way that I did.
But, that being said, I know how my life is different now that I have begun to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. As I said to a bunch of teens in Atlanta a few months ago - Now I get it. I wish I got it earlier. I wasted 30 years of my life not getting it.
I want to share that with my kids. I want to help to lead them to a place where they get it and where they develop their own relationship with Christ. Hopefully I am modeling that at home, but traditionally, in my case, a lot of that process has been left to Sunday School teachers and Directors of Children's Ministries and the like. All those people play an incredible role, but it just makes a lot of sense to me to bring it into the house. "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4
As I said above, I am also a little nervous about this. I'm nervous for the program as a whole - how many people will participate, how well will it be received, are a lot of people going to be upset that there is no longer a place to put there kids while they participate in adult groups? I'm also nervous about being a facilitator. While I think we are doing ok with bringing our Faith into our home, there are probably a lot of better role models out there. I have to remind myself every day of Luke 16:13 - "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." We are going to be experimenting and exploring and trying to figure this all out as much as any other family is.
I guess, more than anything, I just wanted to share today my feelings about this new program that we are going to be trying. I have high hopes that it will help Tracy and I to be better parents and better models of our Faith to our children and to help them in the process of developing their own Faith. I'm not particularly interested in force feeding my Faith to anyone - let alone my kids - but I am very interested in trying to help others - particularly my kids - to develop their own Faith.
"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15
The series fits well with a new program that is going to be starting tonight called - surprisingly enough - Faith at Home Family Groups. It is going to be a family discipleship class that will meet as a large group and then break into a number of smaller groups. Tracy and I have volunteered our family to serve as facilitators for a small group. While I am excited about it, I am also a little nervous for the program as a whole and for us as a family.
Personally, I think the idea is fantastic. We have historically had a number of small groups meeting after dinner on Wednesday nights, but they have not included kids in the groups. The kids had their own place to go. So this will be a significant change.
I did not grow up in a church. I had lots of friends that were active in their churches, and we usually attended VBS, but that was it. In high school I once decided that I should read the Bible, kind of like I should read Shakespeare or Dickens. I tried, for a while, but I never got into it and never made it very far. Despite not growing up in a church, my parents did an amazing job instilling strong values and an openness and willingness to listen and accept. I would not be the person that I am without the way that they raised me. I never felt like I was missing anything by not being involved in a church, and I don't think that I would change any of it. I'm not sure that I would feel as strongly as I do about my Faith without that background and having come to my Faith in the way that I did.
But, that being said, I know how my life is different now that I have begun to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. As I said to a bunch of teens in Atlanta a few months ago - Now I get it. I wish I got it earlier. I wasted 30 years of my life not getting it.
I want to share that with my kids. I want to help to lead them to a place where they get it and where they develop their own relationship with Christ. Hopefully I am modeling that at home, but traditionally, in my case, a lot of that process has been left to Sunday School teachers and Directors of Children's Ministries and the like. All those people play an incredible role, but it just makes a lot of sense to me to bring it into the house. "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4
As I said above, I am also a little nervous about this. I'm nervous for the program as a whole - how many people will participate, how well will it be received, are a lot of people going to be upset that there is no longer a place to put there kids while they participate in adult groups? I'm also nervous about being a facilitator. While I think we are doing ok with bringing our Faith into our home, there are probably a lot of better role models out there. I have to remind myself every day of Luke 16:13 - "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." We are going to be experimenting and exploring and trying to figure this all out as much as any other family is.
I guess, more than anything, I just wanted to share today my feelings about this new program that we are going to be trying. I have high hopes that it will help Tracy and I to be better parents and better models of our Faith to our children and to help them in the process of developing their own Faith. I'm not particularly interested in force feeding my Faith to anyone - let alone my kids - but I am very interested in trying to help others - particularly my kids - to develop their own Faith.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Remember
I first noticed it yesterday, when I was driving to work. Some of the construction was down from in front of the Pentagon. Once again, you can clearly see the reconstructed side of the building that was struck on September 11.
The building is lit from below, bathed in blue light. Hanging off the top of the building and down the side is a giant American flag. Just like it was for months after the attacks (for all I know it may have stayed there all along, but I could not see it). A simple, but incredibly powerful memorial. I remember driving by it day after day shortly after September 11. Each time I would slow down a little bit and pause for just a second. When I first saw it again yesterday, I felt the familiar pause and slight catch in my throat. I don't know anyone personally that was killed in the attacks, but sometimes I feel like I did.
Like I said, the flag hanging off of that building is a simple, powerful memorial. Although I see no words and hear no sounds when I drive by and see it, I fill all of that in on my own - sacrifice, hard work, patriotism, remembrance, strength, unity, loss, conflict, terror, family, freedom, love, service. The photos that I have seen of the Towers of Light at the World Trade Center site have made me feel the same way. In some ways these memorials are like the empty cross - a symbol that says more by not "saying" anything.
I recognize that it is a few days early, but I will be traveling on September 11 this year and likely will not be able to post that day. I hope everyone takes time to pause and remember.
It is important to me that I comment, though, that I am not encouraging hatred for the attackers, their countries, their religion, or anything else. I believe strongly that, instead, we must attempt to understand what happened, why it happened and the beliefs of others. Action or beliefs formed from ignorance or fear are irresponsible and very dangerous.
But that is for another day.
For today my wish is simply that people take a few seconds or minutes to remember and say a prayer for the friends and families of those who were lost or injured. God Bless.
The building is lit from below, bathed in blue light. Hanging off the top of the building and down the side is a giant American flag. Just like it was for months after the attacks (for all I know it may have stayed there all along, but I could not see it). A simple, but incredibly powerful memorial. I remember driving by it day after day shortly after September 11. Each time I would slow down a little bit and pause for just a second. When I first saw it again yesterday, I felt the familiar pause and slight catch in my throat. I don't know anyone personally that was killed in the attacks, but sometimes I feel like I did.
Like I said, the flag hanging off of that building is a simple, powerful memorial. Although I see no words and hear no sounds when I drive by and see it, I fill all of that in on my own - sacrifice, hard work, patriotism, remembrance, strength, unity, loss, conflict, terror, family, freedom, love, service. The photos that I have seen of the Towers of Light at the World Trade Center site have made me feel the same way. In some ways these memorials are like the empty cross - a symbol that says more by not "saying" anything.
I recognize that it is a few days early, but I will be traveling on September 11 this year and likely will not be able to post that day. I hope everyone takes time to pause and remember.
It is important to me that I comment, though, that I am not encouraging hatred for the attackers, their countries, their religion, or anything else. I believe strongly that, instead, we must attempt to understand what happened, why it happened and the beliefs of others. Action or beliefs formed from ignorance or fear are irresponsible and very dangerous.
But that is for another day.
For today my wish is simply that people take a few seconds or minutes to remember and say a prayer for the friends and families of those who were lost or injured. God Bless.
Monday, September 8, 2008
How Do You Do
I have pretty eclectic musical tastes. I listen to country, rock, pop, Christian, gospel, jazz, reggae, etc. I love satellite radio and the ability to jump to a particular genre at any time.
The other day, I heard the Louis Armstrong classic - What a Wonderful World. One of the lines really caught me that day:
I see friends shaking hands
Sayin how do you do
They're really sayin
I love you
I love you. I tend to reserve that phrase for my wife, my kids, or other family members. It just isn't socially acceptable to say "I love you" to my friends at work, my college friends, or my neighbors. One of the things that I really enjoy about spending time with the high school youth in my church is that they do not hesitate to tell each other - or me - I love you. They will yell it across the parking lot as they start to leave, or in greeting when they first see each other. Not joking, or teasing, or sarcastic - a sincere I love you from one person to another - be it man to man, woman to woman, or man to woman. There is no discomfort in the phrase, no extra meaning, just an honest expression.
Love is discussed in the Bible in a lot of places and in a lot of different ways. I am focused today on a commandment that is repeated over and over.
As the Lord said to Moses, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." Leviticus 19:18
As Jesus said when asked which commandment is the most important: "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is hear this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:29-31 (see also, Matthew 22:37-40)
As Jesus told the disciples when sharing that his time on earth was coming to an end: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35
Finally, as stated by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans:
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 13:8-10
I think we would all be better if we found a way to express our love for our friends and neighbors. Maybe we are not at a place where it is comfortable to just say I Love You. Maybe it is something else - sharing time or smiling. Or maybe it is just a sincere "How do you do?"
The other day, I heard the Louis Armstrong classic - What a Wonderful World. One of the lines really caught me that day:
I see friends shaking hands
Sayin how do you do
They're really sayin
I love you
I love you. I tend to reserve that phrase for my wife, my kids, or other family members. It just isn't socially acceptable to say "I love you" to my friends at work, my college friends, or my neighbors. One of the things that I really enjoy about spending time with the high school youth in my church is that they do not hesitate to tell each other - or me - I love you. They will yell it across the parking lot as they start to leave, or in greeting when they first see each other. Not joking, or teasing, or sarcastic - a sincere I love you from one person to another - be it man to man, woman to woman, or man to woman. There is no discomfort in the phrase, no extra meaning, just an honest expression.
Love is discussed in the Bible in a lot of places and in a lot of different ways. I am focused today on a commandment that is repeated over and over.
As the Lord said to Moses, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." Leviticus 19:18
As Jesus said when asked which commandment is the most important: "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is hear this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:29-31 (see also, Matthew 22:37-40)
As Jesus told the disciples when sharing that his time on earth was coming to an end: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35
Finally, as stated by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans:
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 13:8-10
I think we would all be better if we found a way to express our love for our friends and neighbors. Maybe we are not at a place where it is comfortable to just say I Love You. Maybe it is something else - sharing time or smiling. Or maybe it is just a sincere "How do you do?"
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Teachers
Although it is supposed to be in the mid-90s today, kids are back in school and the summer is over. One of the things that we have been focused on in our house is getting used to a new teacher. Tracy has done her usual excellent job of already meeting with our son's fourth grade teacher and starting the process of educating him on Alex's learning challenges and the various accommodations that have been put in place.
All the signs so far are that Alex's teacher is very willing to work through as much as possible, to help him with the various technology that he will use, etc. So things seem good.
Trying to think about it from the teacher's perspective has made me really think about the fact that it takes a special person to be a teacher. You have to focus on the needs of every child in your class and really try to make sure that all of them get the best education possible. Teachers make such a big impact on people's lives. Think about how many speeches from athletes, business leaders, politicians, scientists, etc., involve them thanking a special teacher for taking an interest, setting them straight, nurturing a talent, or igniting a passion. Even if you don't have that type of special relationship with one of your teachers, I bet you can fondly remember at least some of them. In addition to some of my own teachers, I think of teachers that I have met in Cambita (Dominican Republic), Nairobi (Kenya) and Kisii (Kenya) and how those teachers were Called to Serve through teaching.
Teachers, whether they are at school, at church, at home, scout leaders, sports coaches, music directors, etc., are true blessings. They work to make a difference in the lives of our children, and to change the world of tomorrow.
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit . . . . All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines."
1 Corinthians 12:4 - 11
So, today I pray for all the teachers - give them guidance in working with our children and the children of the world; give them discernment so that they see how to reach each child; give them understanding, patience, wisdom and strength; continue to use them and work through them to change the world, to set each of our children - your children - on the path that you have laid out for them.
All the signs so far are that Alex's teacher is very willing to work through as much as possible, to help him with the various technology that he will use, etc. So things seem good.
Trying to think about it from the teacher's perspective has made me really think about the fact that it takes a special person to be a teacher. You have to focus on the needs of every child in your class and really try to make sure that all of them get the best education possible. Teachers make such a big impact on people's lives. Think about how many speeches from athletes, business leaders, politicians, scientists, etc., involve them thanking a special teacher for taking an interest, setting them straight, nurturing a talent, or igniting a passion. Even if you don't have that type of special relationship with one of your teachers, I bet you can fondly remember at least some of them. In addition to some of my own teachers, I think of teachers that I have met in Cambita (Dominican Republic), Nairobi (Kenya) and Kisii (Kenya) and how those teachers were Called to Serve through teaching.
Teachers, whether they are at school, at church, at home, scout leaders, sports coaches, music directors, etc., are true blessings. They work to make a difference in the lives of our children, and to change the world of tomorrow.
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit . . . . All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines."
1 Corinthians 12:4 - 11
So, today I pray for all the teachers - give them guidance in working with our children and the children of the world; give them discernment so that they see how to reach each child; give them understanding, patience, wisdom and strength; continue to use them and work through them to change the world, to set each of our children - your children - on the path that you have laid out for them.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Phone Trees
I hate phone trees. You try to call the cable company, or the electric company, or just about any company and what do you get? You get a computerized voice.
"To help our service representatives and speed your service, please enter, or speak, your 15 digit account number now." You'd better enter in the number through your phone's keypad because the computer never gets the numbers that you speak.
"Please enter your personal identification number now." If you pass both of these tests, you get.
"Please listen carefully as our menu options have changed . . . ." Then you get menu after menu of options, all supposedly directing you to the exact right person that will be able to address your problem. Ultimately, no matter how many options you go through, you still end up with -
"All customer representatives are currently busy. Your call is very important to us - please hold for the next available operator." Followed by muzak, which presumably was specially chosen to offend nobody and instead actually drives everyone crazy.
When someone eventually does pick up, you go through the entire process over again as almost inevitably the first things they ask for is your account number, your personal identification number, your mother's maiden name, and that you confirm your address, phone number, etc.
By the time you get to actually start the conversation that you called to have, it has been twenty minutes and you are ready to scream. Then, in my experience, about 98% of the time the person that I end up speaking with is either the wrong person and I have to be transferred to someone else, or the person does not have the authority to address my problem and I have to talk to their supervisor.
Why, oh why, can't you just call and actually talk to a person? Why when you call the cable company's customer service line to report that there is a problem with your cable can't you actually just get to someone to tell them the problem that you are having? Why can't you speak with the person that can actually address your problem?
This morning I was reading from Isaiah. I turned the page past where I was reading and stumbled across this:
"Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I." Isaiah 58:9
It is comforting to me to know that when I really need help, when I really need an answer, I can call directly to God. There are no middle men, there are no menus of options, there is no risk of wasting time and energy talking to the wrong person. And, God doesn't make me confirm my account, make sure that I am up to date with my payments, or put me through any tests before He hears my prayers. He knows me, He knows why I am calling, He is always immediately available and He is always the right person for the problem.
"To help our service representatives and speed your service, please enter, or speak, your 15 digit account number now." You'd better enter in the number through your phone's keypad because the computer never gets the numbers that you speak.
"Please enter your personal identification number now." If you pass both of these tests, you get.
"Please listen carefully as our menu options have changed . . . ." Then you get menu after menu of options, all supposedly directing you to the exact right person that will be able to address your problem. Ultimately, no matter how many options you go through, you still end up with -
"All customer representatives are currently busy. Your call is very important to us - please hold for the next available operator." Followed by muzak, which presumably was specially chosen to offend nobody and instead actually drives everyone crazy.
When someone eventually does pick up, you go through the entire process over again as almost inevitably the first things they ask for is your account number, your personal identification number, your mother's maiden name, and that you confirm your address, phone number, etc.
By the time you get to actually start the conversation that you called to have, it has been twenty minutes and you are ready to scream. Then, in my experience, about 98% of the time the person that I end up speaking with is either the wrong person and I have to be transferred to someone else, or the person does not have the authority to address my problem and I have to talk to their supervisor.
Why, oh why, can't you just call and actually talk to a person? Why when you call the cable company's customer service line to report that there is a problem with your cable can't you actually just get to someone to tell them the problem that you are having? Why can't you speak with the person that can actually address your problem?
This morning I was reading from Isaiah. I turned the page past where I was reading and stumbled across this:
"Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I." Isaiah 58:9
It is comforting to me to know that when I really need help, when I really need an answer, I can call directly to God. There are no middle men, there are no menus of options, there is no risk of wasting time and energy talking to the wrong person. And, God doesn't make me confirm my account, make sure that I am up to date with my payments, or put me through any tests before He hears my prayers. He knows me, He knows why I am calling, He is always immediately available and He is always the right person for the problem.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Live Out Loud
Lots of times I think about my faith as a "part" of my life. There is the work part, the family part, the church part, etc. Things are compartmentalized. I go to church on Sunday morning, that is the faith part. I spend time in prayer and reading the Bible in the morning, that is the faith part. I write here, that is the faith part.
And, I have to admit that I like my faith convenient. Sometimes, for one reason or another, I just don't make it to church on Sunday morning - the house needs to be cleaned, there are too many errands to run, etc. No big deal. I really only spend time studying the Bible and in focused prayer when I am in the office and it is part of the routine. I carried my Bible with me on vacation last week, but I never opened it. I don't write on weekends, when I am traveling, on vacation, just too busy, etc.
One of the things that I have been working on for the past few years is changing that compartmentalized approach. My faith should not be "part" of my life that only exists when it is convenient. It should be the same all of the time. A few years ago, Milt Zapata sang the song "Live Out Loud" in church. I loved it. You could feel the joy and the praise in his singing. I've tried to grab on to that phrase - Live Out Loud. I remember sitting in one of the nightly worship services in New Orleans on the high school mission trip last year and praying that I could learn to Live Out Loud.
I wondered, do my friends and my family know where I am in my faith journey? Would my co-workers laugh because they didn't believe it was true if someone told them? Why? What sense does that make? I still pray that prayer often, that I learn to Live Out Loud. I admit that I find it easier to do so in some company than I do in others. While I know that a few co-workers read this and a couple of family members, I sometimes wonder if it would be awkward to find out that friends from college are reading, or others. I also wonder if the people that I know can reconcile these posts with the me that they see every day - I hope they can, but I wonder.
Anyway, I didn't know this was where I was going to end up when I started typing today. But, we are blessed to live in a time and a society that let's us Live Out Loud, that doesn't make us hide our beliefs, or worship in secret. But, we still put those restrictions on ourselves. Join me in trying to Live Out Loud - don't feel the need to hide your faith because it isn't "cool", or it's not who people think you are. And, if you know me, help me to do a better job Living Out Loud.
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17
And, I have to admit that I like my faith convenient. Sometimes, for one reason or another, I just don't make it to church on Sunday morning - the house needs to be cleaned, there are too many errands to run, etc. No big deal. I really only spend time studying the Bible and in focused prayer when I am in the office and it is part of the routine. I carried my Bible with me on vacation last week, but I never opened it. I don't write on weekends, when I am traveling, on vacation, just too busy, etc.
One of the things that I have been working on for the past few years is changing that compartmentalized approach. My faith should not be "part" of my life that only exists when it is convenient. It should be the same all of the time. A few years ago, Milt Zapata sang the song "Live Out Loud" in church. I loved it. You could feel the joy and the praise in his singing. I've tried to grab on to that phrase - Live Out Loud. I remember sitting in one of the nightly worship services in New Orleans on the high school mission trip last year and praying that I could learn to Live Out Loud.
I wondered, do my friends and my family know where I am in my faith journey? Would my co-workers laugh because they didn't believe it was true if someone told them? Why? What sense does that make? I still pray that prayer often, that I learn to Live Out Loud. I admit that I find it easier to do so in some company than I do in others. While I know that a few co-workers read this and a couple of family members, I sometimes wonder if it would be awkward to find out that friends from college are reading, or others. I also wonder if the people that I know can reconcile these posts with the me that they see every day - I hope they can, but I wonder.
Anyway, I didn't know this was where I was going to end up when I started typing today. But, we are blessed to live in a time and a society that let's us Live Out Loud, that doesn't make us hide our beliefs, or worship in secret. But, we still put those restrictions on ourselves. Join me in trying to Live Out Loud - don't feel the need to hide your faith because it isn't "cool", or it's not who people think you are. And, if you know me, help me to do a better job Living Out Loud.
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
