our blog
Aug
Only 116 More Shopping Days
With our month long focus on celebrating growth and remembering God’s faithfulness coming to an end, I want to spend these last few moments focusing on the concepts of rejoicing and thankfulness. Maybe it is just me, but whenever I think of these things, my mind almost instantly gravitates toward the holiday season. Which made me wonder: how many more days till Christmas? A quick visit to Google and I’ve got my answer: 116 shopping days. Men, you have been warned.
What puts you into the holiday spirit? Is it getting together with family and decorating the Christmas tree? How about those gag gifts you receive during Secret Santa? As much as I love the candy canes, mistletoe, hot chocolate and even the jolly man in the red suit, when I think of the Christmas holidays one of the first thing that comes to mind are Old Navy fleece jackets. Odd I know, but you haven’t met my father.
Every year since I was twelve years old “Santa” has wrapped up an Old Navy fleece and stuck it underneath my tree. I don’t have proof, but I believe this is where the southern slang “Bless His Heart” originated. I’ll admit that the first Christmas I was truly thankful for the gift. It was cold and I needed something to keep me warm. Next year, with the same gift in my hands, I was somewhat thankful, but more annoyed. However, when Groundhog Day reared its’ ugly head in years 3 and 4, I begin to think my dad was playing some cruel joke on me. Little did I know at the time that this event would repeat itself well into my twenties.
Through my experience of opening up tacky (albeit well intentioned) Christmas presents, I’ve learned that thankfulness is one thing that cannot be faked nor can it be forced. Gratitude and joy come from somewhere within the very depths of our heart. Struggling to crack a smile and eek out a thank you to tube socks, a tacky necktie or any other present you hope comes with a gift receipt is one thing. How do we get to the point where thankfulness is the initial response for whatever life throws our way?
This is a question that demands an answer. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances.” Thankfulness is viewed in this passage as a command from God rather than a strong suggestion for life. Even though we wish the author had included a nice loophole or escape clause, there is no excuse that justifies our ungratefulness. The Bible makes no exceptions for bad days, screaming children, horrible traffic, tight finances, loss of a loved one or personal tragedy.
Over the past several weeks, we have spent time discussing how we must rejoice at every opportunity we are given to reflect God’s character through our One Word. This includes during a difficult time, in the midst of chaos or when our life completely falls apart. Through our discussions, we’ve always come back to the idea that what you see determines the direction of your life. Our response is greatly shaped by our perspective. If this statement is true then our responsibility is to pinpoint the things in our lives that distract us from God and take our eyes off of Him.
Many of us hesitate to pursue this next step since we realize transformation requires asking challenging questions that might produce answers we do not want to hear. Yet, engaging and embracing the process of encounter, formation, and expression is part of a walk with God. The progression of these actions goes like this:
ENCOUNTER is the COLLISION of Your PERSPECTIVE with the TRUTH!
FORMATION is the SUBMISSION to the TRUTH that produces CHANGE!
EXPRESSION is the unhindered RESPONSE that REVEALS the TRUTH!
How can taking these steps help bring about a thankful spirit in our life that isn’t conjured up or forced? Whether you realize it or not, you’ve already experienced the first step in the process. By encountering God’s truth found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that says thankfulness is a command not a suggestion your reality of excuses and entitlement to justify your behavior has collided with the Word of God.
What you do with this collision is very important. Will you attempt to ignore it by sweeping it under the rug? Or will you begin to allow God to shape you? Transformation requires work. This pushes us back to spending time with God and meditating on His word. If you do not take the time to see God, it is impossible to fully express His image in your life. When we are open to God working on our hearts we begin to express our response to His truth in our actions and words. Our thanks go to God in every situation we face. The heart of God begins to live in us.
- Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. How do we get to the point where thankfulness is the initial response for whatever life throws our way? Why do we always want an excuse to justify our ungratefulness?
- What situation are you currently facing where you are finding it challenging to be truly thankful? Do you feel justified in your response to the situation?
Are you looking for a way to keep your word in front of you all year long? Register for a My One Word account! One of the key features of a MOW account is an online Word Journal that allows you to capture your thoughts to reflective questions like you see above. You can go back at any time to read your completed journals to see how God has been moving in your life through your word in 2010. If you already have an account, the questions from this blog have been posted to your Word Journal — log in to your account to start your Word Journal today!
Aug
Back To School
Right now many parents are rejoicing over the fact summer has come to an end and their kids are heading back to school. Some might even do an Irish jig as they watch the school bus pulling away from their house. They are delighted while I’m a wreck. Now, don’t confuse my reaction for me being the ultra parent who loves to spend every waking moment with their children. I love my kids, but time apart can be a good thing for both parties.
The reason why I dread the upcoming school year can be summed up in three words: brand new wardrobes. Thinking of the hit on my wallet makes me cringe. This has nothing to do with being consumed with name brand labels or designer clothes. We are bargain shoppers who head straight to the sale rack. Sadly, thanks to a summer growth spurt, our oldest daughter, Madison, literally has no clothes that fit her. Jeans we used to roll up suddenly look like Capri pants or that an impending flood is coming. Baggy tops now show her mid-drift. The only bright side is her younger sister’s closet just exploded with possibilities.
My wife and I sat baffled as we helped Madison try on her old clothes. We both understood the basics of biology and realized eventually our children would mature. But, someone please tell me…when did our baby girl grow up? When did she sprout up like a tree? How did we not notice this?
The Psalmist says our life is but a breath (Psalm 39:5 and 144:4). Other parts of scripture compare the days we have on earth to a shadow (Psalm 102:11 and Job 8:9) or grass that is here one day and gone the next (1 Peter 1:24 and Psalm 37:2). Coming to grips with the brevity of life should cause two different reactions to erupt within us: reflection and action.
In the immortal words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” We have been there every step of the way with Madison, but it’s easy to get wrapped up in the moment of the here and now and miss the growth that has taken place along the way. The same principle holds true with our spiritual transformation.
You might look at yourself right now and be confronted with struggles, frustrations and shortcomings. Letting this be your only perspective will inevitably lead to frustration. So, rewind the tape to a few months ago. Where were you back then? Chances are good you’ve grown, yet if you don’t stop and reflect, you’ll never have the opportunity to celebrate transformation and God’s faithfulness.
But, we can’t stop there. We can’t sit back and be satisfied reveling in the past. Life is short and we only possess a small window to leave an eternal mark. Without an understanding that our days are like a breath, it is easy to just sigh and put off sharing our faith, forgiving someone who hurt us or putting our One Word into action for another day. The reality is tomorrow has never been promised to us. Each day is a gift and the question we must ask ourselves is what are we doing with the moments we’ve been given?
- Coming to grips with the brevity of life should cause two different reactions to erupt within us: reflection and action. Reflect on the steps you’ve taken throughout the My One Word process. Which step toward growth reminds you that change is indeed possible?
- Without an understanding that our days are like a breath, it is easy to just sigh and put off things for another day. In terms of your walk with God and influencing others, what is one thing you have put off that you know you need to act upon? What is causing you to hesitate from putting your faith into action?
Are you looking for a way to keep your word in front of you all year long? Register for a My One Word account! One of the key features of a MOW account is an online Word Journal that allows you to capture your thoughts to reflective questions like you see above. You can go back at any time to read your completed journals to see how God has been moving in your life through your word in 2010. If you already have an account, the questions from this blog have been posted to your Word Journal — log in to your account to start your Word Journal today!
Aug
Procrastination
Procrastination pretty much summed up my work ethic during my college years. If I devoted as much time and energy to studying as I did to winning a Super Bowl ring on Madden, I would of graduated Magna Cum Laude instead of Praise The Lord-e. Chugging a combination of Mountain Dew and Red Bull in order to stay awake, I was the guy hunkered down in the computer lab at 4 in the morning just starting his introductory statement for the 12 page paper due for his 8 o’clock philosophy class.
I wish I could say I kicked this habit shortly after graduation. Sadly, this isn’t the case. My tendency to put things off till the last minute has followed me into adulthood. Whether it is starting home improvement projects, paying bills or mowing the grass, I tend to be a complete and utter slacker. In my former life as an administrative assistant, I created artificial deadlines. I purposely waited till I was up against the clock to finish the project all in hopes of creating some adventure in my mundane world of spreadsheets.
Procrastination has even begun to creep into my involvement with the My One Word project. For the past six months or so, I’ve been tasked with writing blog entries that encourage people to stay engaged with their One Word. This job is not new. Every Monday an entry goes up on the site. It’s not like I don’t know this responsibility is coming.
Yet, I’ve noticed recently that instead of loving the beginning of my workweek like I did in the past, I find myself wrestling with the blank screen of my laptop. Instead, I’ll work on other writing assignments, chat with co-workers, respond to emails or update my Facebook status. My avoidance has a lot to do with writer’s block, a lack of creativity and the feeling that I’ve hit a wall.
Instead of facing this difficult stretch head on, all I want to do is run from my responsibilities. Rather than endure, I try to avoid. I think this is where this month’s topic on ‘Gathering Stones’ comes into play. When doubt of growth, transformation or change takes root in your mind, a few stones reminding you of God’s faithfulness goes a long way.
Luckily today, I mistakenly came across a few stones while clearing out my inbox in one last failed attempt at procrastination. These stones came in the form of emails from My One Word subscribers who wrote about how God is using this project to move in their lives in incredible ways. Message after message spoke of how focusing on a single aspect of Christ’s heart had brought personal transformation and spiritual breakthrough.
These emails serve as my stones. They are stones not to reassure me of my ability, but rather remind me of how God serves as the true agent of change. These notes help me keep in mind how blessed I am to have any part in a project that God is using to bring people closer to His side. These stones cause me to fight, rather than avoid, when my creativity is zapped. So, I continue to write.
How about you? Have you hit a wall? Are you struggling to endure? What is fueling your procrastination? What ‘stones’ do you need to gather to remember that being transformed through the lens of your One Word has an impact on others? What will be the thing that sparks a memory of how God used your One Word to cultivate your heart and influence those around you? These little altars reminding you of God’s faithfulness are what keep you moving in the right direction and chasing after His heart.
- Where have you hit a wall when it comes to your pursuit of reflecting God’s character and heart through your One Word?
- What is causing you to procrastinate and not meet these challenges head on?
Are you looking for a way to keep your word in front of you all year long? Register for a My One Word account! One of the key features of a MOW account is an online Word Journal that allows you to capture your thoughts to reflective questions like you see above. You can go back at any time to read your completed journals to see how God has been moving in your life through your word in 2010. If you already have an account, the questions from this blog have been posted to your Word Journal — log in to your account to start your Word Journal today!