I had a conversation with someone the other day, who will remain nameless in case any of my readers know them. It ventured to several different topics, but this particular part grated on me:
"So where does your wife work?"
"She's staying at home right now."
"Well, where does she plan to work?"
"She's doing the stay-at-home wife thing."
"Well, yeah for now, but...I mean...what does she do all day?"
Let me explain to you what my wife does all day:
I get up at 6 AM and feed the dogs their morning meal. Mandy is asleep next to me. I get in the shower. By the time I get out of the shower, Mandy's gone. I put on some pants and a shirt and walk into the kitchen for breakfast, where Mandy is packing my lunch for the day. She usually puts in a sandwich, bag of chips, a coke, and some sort of cookie or candy bar or something. (That's about three things more than what would be in there if I packed it.) I leave for work, teach until lunch time, and then eat that lunch, where I find a note that she somehow slipped into my lunch box without me knowing. I call her to thank her for the note, and if I happen to catch her at home, and not driving to Greenville to cash our church check or going to Walmart because we ran out of milk again, she's normally in the middle of ironing clothes or washing dishes (for those of you who know her, its true. She washes dishes now.) By the time I get home, the floors are all vacuumed, the bed is made, most of the dishes are clean, and even if the house isn't completely cleaned, its leagues closer than it was when I woke up this morning. Supper is usually around 5 or 6, and it is usually something Mandy has made from one of her cookbooks or recipes. And even if it isn't, its from one of those dinner in a box meals that you still have to mix together and cook yourself. We sit down and eat, and almost the second the last morsel of food leaves my plate, she picks it up and carries it to the sink, where she'll wash it later. Then, we both sit down and watch whatever TV show comes on for that day that we like, and spend the rest of the evening engrossed in whatever project we have for the week.
So yeah, my wife is a stay at home wife, and she does quite a bit all day. And the cool thing is, when we start to have children, they're going to have a Mom whose home when they get home from school, one who can come get them if they get sick, and who will never have to miss a ballgame, school play, or music recital because they have too much to do at the office or got scheduled to work the wrong shift.
Now don't get me wrong--I don't think there is anything wrong with a woman who wants to pursue a career and excel at it. My mom was a school teacher for most of my life, and she was good at it. She got her Masters Degree in Education, and is now a very successful ECE teacher at her school. The only time she ever took a day off was when someone in the family was sick. But you know what? She hardly ever missed a ballgame or a band performance or fencing tournament or a Boy Scout family night or church drama performance. At the end of the day, when the dust settled, she was a wife and a mother, and that is what mattered most to her. And I was blessed for it.
So I suppose there are two points to this post: (1) Don't assume that stay-at-home wives and mothers are just being lazy--the world would be a better place if more women put their families over their careers--and (2) if you are a working woman with a husband and children, remember that the most important job you have is being Wife and Mom. What good is a high profile portfolio if it cost you sharing your life with your family?
And men, all this goes just as much for us as it does for the ladies.
Now, if you'll excuse me, Supper is ready. It was cooked by my loving wife, who actually does quite a lot all day.
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
God is bigger than the boogie man...
Please understand, I have nothing against Veggie Tales. I think they are an amazing and fun tool to use in teaching children the truths of Scripture. And while that statement is true, I don't think it accurately describes what I'm trying to say here. But, at 10:30 at night on a Saturday night when I have a half written sermon in front of me and writer's block is hitting me hard, its the best title I could come up with.
So, rather than try to push these thoughts aside for another day, I'll let them flow here in hopes that the Scripture God has given me for tomorrow will become more illuminated.
It has become very apparent in my mind just how little I comprehend the awesomeness of God. Granted, that is probably the most cliche statement a Christian could make, but often what makes cliches cliche is that they are so true. I've mentioned on here before about how Christ coming to earth was like a mighty warrior stepping down to fight a war against an evil that had overtaken His beloved. And while most of us will acknowledge that, I wonder how many of us truly live like that.
Seriously, ask yourself. When was the last time you were faced with something terrifying or scary or completely out of your control, and your response was, "Whew, I am so glad God is bigger than this." To be honest, that isn't my reaction. My reaction is to immediately start making plans. In the face of trouble, I have to analyze and find out (1) how to get out if, (2) how I got into it in the first place, and (3) how I can make sure I never get into it again. And only when things are going utterly haywire do I ever stop to consider that maybe the God I worship could handle it.
But the truth is, God really is bigger than the boogie man...and the economy...and cancer...and even the unknown. So, the next time something I can't handle comes for me, instead of worrying about the fact that I can't handle it, I'll remember these words in Psalms:
"I look up toward the hill. From where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth." --Psalm 121:1-2
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
So, rather than try to push these thoughts aside for another day, I'll let them flow here in hopes that the Scripture God has given me for tomorrow will become more illuminated.
It has become very apparent in my mind just how little I comprehend the awesomeness of God. Granted, that is probably the most cliche statement a Christian could make, but often what makes cliches cliche is that they are so true. I've mentioned on here before about how Christ coming to earth was like a mighty warrior stepping down to fight a war against an evil that had overtaken His beloved. And while most of us will acknowledge that, I wonder how many of us truly live like that.
Seriously, ask yourself. When was the last time you were faced with something terrifying or scary or completely out of your control, and your response was, "Whew, I am so glad God is bigger than this." To be honest, that isn't my reaction. My reaction is to immediately start making plans. In the face of trouble, I have to analyze and find out (1) how to get out if, (2) how I got into it in the first place, and (3) how I can make sure I never get into it again. And only when things are going utterly haywire do I ever stop to consider that maybe the God I worship could handle it.
But the truth is, God really is bigger than the boogie man...and the economy...and cancer...and even the unknown. So, the next time something I can't handle comes for me, instead of worrying about the fact that I can't handle it, I'll remember these words in Psalms:
"I look up toward the hill. From where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth." --Psalm 121:1-2
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Kingdom Minded...
I haven't blogged in quite some time. I honestly thought that the move out to Sulphur Springs would give me more time to post, but instead I simply find more things to fill my time up with. Still, despite the lack of presence on this blog, I have been working at Union Baptist Church, trying to get a vision of where God wants us to move toward. I'd ask that you pray for us as we continually seek His will in where he wants to lead us in reaching out to this community.
There's been something on my heart lately that I want to share with you. I've been very convicted lately of being Kingdom minded. I think sometimes I get so caught up with membership rolls on our church that I forget that's not the point. As a follower of Christ, I'm called to swell the membership of the Book of Life, not the membership of any particular church.
I notice it when I invest in someone's life, try to lead them to Christ, and then get jealous when they decide to go to another church. I almost feel as though I've been taken advantage of. I'm the one that shared Christ with them. I'm the one that counseled them and led them to a saving knowledge of Christ. Shouldn't my church be the one that gets the credit? But that mindset isn't biblical or godly. I think it shows that sometimes I mistake this gathering of people every Sunday morning as my church and not God's church. If I lead someone to Christ, and they find a place where they can mature spiritually, then I should rejoice in that, whether or not that means another warm body on the pews on Sunday.
So I ask that you follow me as I try to rework how I view things. I don't want to be church minded. I want to be kingdom minded.
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
There's been something on my heart lately that I want to share with you. I've been very convicted lately of being Kingdom minded. I think sometimes I get so caught up with membership rolls on our church that I forget that's not the point. As a follower of Christ, I'm called to swell the membership of the Book of Life, not the membership of any particular church.
I notice it when I invest in someone's life, try to lead them to Christ, and then get jealous when they decide to go to another church. I almost feel as though I've been taken advantage of. I'm the one that shared Christ with them. I'm the one that counseled them and led them to a saving knowledge of Christ. Shouldn't my church be the one that gets the credit? But that mindset isn't biblical or godly. I think it shows that sometimes I mistake this gathering of people every Sunday morning as my church and not God's church. If I lead someone to Christ, and they find a place where they can mature spiritually, then I should rejoice in that, whether or not that means another warm body on the pews on Sunday.
So I ask that you follow me as I try to rework how I view things. I don't want to be church minded. I want to be kingdom minded.
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Looking back and smiling....
A few things before I get into the meat of this post. For those of you who haven't heard yet, I have recently been called to be pastor at Union Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, TX. It's an exciting and scary time as I take on the calling God has given me for the first time and try to be the shepherd that He's been molding me into all these years. I realize I have a lot to learn, but I can't wait to start learning it.
Now that I've given you some background, here's what I wanted to post on:
I was looking through some old posts and found one that I wrote last November. (For those of you interested, you can read it here.) I remember writing that post, feeling the confusion and the uncertainty, and making myself get up and keep going simply because I didn't know what else to do. Back then, it seemed I had so much weight on my shoulders driving me into the ground, and there was no hope of ever getting any relief from it.
But I take stock of where I am today, and I see how far God has brought me. I've finally gotten a position at a church--and even a church where the people are eager to work for the Lord. Mandy is finally able to quit her job and get the break she's been needing for months now. I'm closer to the LORD now that I ever have been in my life. The life that I dreamed of when I first moved out here...it's sitting right in front of me, waiting for me to take those first few steps into it.
I've heard it preached all my life that endurance is important, and as my life verse says, "Those who wait on the LORD will find new strength" (Isaiah 40:31). But I never really understood it until today, when I looked back on how hard this past year has been, and see the blessing that I am surrounded in now. When the LORD promises that He'll get us through anything, He means it. It may not always be on our time table, but it is always perfect timing.
So I stand here now with renewed strength, renewed zeal, and a sense of purpose. I realize that taking on this new position will come with its own problems, and being on the mountaintop just means that a valley is coming up next. But I don't fear what may be coming, because I can see what God has already pulled me through. He is faithful, and gracious, and might to save. I may have had to trudge through muck for a while, but right now....I'm flying. :-)
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
Now that I've given you some background, here's what I wanted to post on:
I was looking through some old posts and found one that I wrote last November. (For those of you interested, you can read it here.) I remember writing that post, feeling the confusion and the uncertainty, and making myself get up and keep going simply because I didn't know what else to do. Back then, it seemed I had so much weight on my shoulders driving me into the ground, and there was no hope of ever getting any relief from it.
But I take stock of where I am today, and I see how far God has brought me. I've finally gotten a position at a church--and even a church where the people are eager to work for the Lord. Mandy is finally able to quit her job and get the break she's been needing for months now. I'm closer to the LORD now that I ever have been in my life. The life that I dreamed of when I first moved out here...it's sitting right in front of me, waiting for me to take those first few steps into it.
I've heard it preached all my life that endurance is important, and as my life verse says, "Those who wait on the LORD will find new strength" (Isaiah 40:31). But I never really understood it until today, when I looked back on how hard this past year has been, and see the blessing that I am surrounded in now. When the LORD promises that He'll get us through anything, He means it. It may not always be on our time table, but it is always perfect timing.
So I stand here now with renewed strength, renewed zeal, and a sense of purpose. I realize that taking on this new position will come with its own problems, and being on the mountaintop just means that a valley is coming up next. But I don't fear what may be coming, because I can see what God has already pulled me through. He is faithful, and gracious, and might to save. I may have had to trudge through muck for a while, but right now....I'm flying. :-)
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
God Answers prayer...
I woke up this morning to Pastor Steve playing another voicemail message from Tim. This time when he called, he gave us his address and phone number. We were able to talk with him and encourage him, and it seemed to lift his spirits a little. He won't be able to attend services tonight because of his work schedule, but he will be coming to a prayer breakfast tomorrow. Praise God that we have the chance to minister to Tim and encourage him in his walk with the Lord.
Both Pastor Steve and I have reflected that this entire revival might have been just so we could meet Tim. Praise God that He chose to use us to touch lives.
Keep Soaring,
B
Both Pastor Steve and I have reflected that this entire revival might have been just so we could meet Tim. Praise God that He chose to use us to touch lives.
Keep Soaring,
B
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Threatened Suicide Please Pray!!!!!
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST!!! I'm currently in CO preaching a revival, and my host pastor just received a voicemail from a guy named Tim that got one of our flyers. From the wording of the message, it sounds like he's planning on committing suicide. He didn't leave an address, so we don't know where he is, and his number didn't show up on Pastor Steve's caller ID. Please pray that God does a miraculous work in Tim's life.
Keep Soaring,
B
Keep Soaring,
B
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
This is for you...
I think I know who this is for, but I could be wrong. Please understand, I'm not one of those people that sits in trance and suddenly gets some sort of mystic word from God. Truth be told, I think a great deal of that is hogwash--not all of it, but a great deal of it. But the truth is this is burning in me, and it would be wrong for me to not say it. So, good or bad, here it goes. And if you feel like this is speaking to you, it probably is...
I know you're mad. I was for a long time too. Things just don't make sense anymore, it seems like. People who should be happy are sad, laughs we should be sharing are gone, and people we would give anything to see again are gone forever. Things just aren't turning out the way we've been promised our whole lives. "Follow God and everything will be happy." Bull. We followed God with everything we are, and bad things still happened to us.
And it's always so much easier to be mad than hurt. It's easier to act like He doesn't exist than it is to kneel and cry out to Him and ask why. Suddenly we start to think things like, "What has He done for me? What good has he done in return for my devotion to Him?" And the whole "He lets you live" answer isn't good enough. With the pain that we've felt, it would almost be better to die. And He won't even give us that.
But the truth is, He didn't do this. We did. Adam and Eve did. Satan did. He didn't create death. He didn't create disease and decay. We did that when we skipped out on the best thing we could ever have: Him. And now, He wants more than anything to offer Himself to us again. As desperately as we want comfort and an end to this pain that we're trying to hide from, He wants to be that for us. How many times has He stretched out His hand just to watch us turn and walk away?
So one day I finally gave in. I looked right at Him and said that if He wanted me that badly, He could have me. I was tired of running, tired of trying to be stronger than something I can't even control. And then life happened. Life, that thing that I had forgotten all about. The pain never went away, but it got easier to deal with. I still cry sometimes, but I spend more time smiling--I mean really smiling, not pretending to smile for everybody else. And this world is still completely screwed up, but He's helping me get through it.
All that He did for me, He wants to do for you, too. He wants to answer your questions. He wants to ease the pain. He wants to be to you what you always thought He was: a good God. But He's not going to force Himself on you. If you want Him to do something in your life, you have to be willing to let Him. And that means you have to go back to Him. You have to trust Him.
Please understand, you don't have to change for Him. You don't have to be perfect. You don't even have to be good. He will take you as you are, with all the screw-ups you think you have. Flaws, faults, black fleece, bad habits--none of that matters right now. It's not your job to clean up for Him. It's His job to clean you up...and that includes the parts of you that are hurt and wounded. But He can't do any of that until you make Him what He is supposed to be: Lord of your life.
I know this sounds preachy, but it's who I am. I can't help it. And my words are true, I promise. I wouldn't lie to you--I hope you know that. If I really didn't think He was worth it, I wouldn't push you to Him. But I love you too much to let you live your life without knowing what it's like to be held by Him. He loves you, and I just needed to remind you of that.
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
I know you're mad. I was for a long time too. Things just don't make sense anymore, it seems like. People who should be happy are sad, laughs we should be sharing are gone, and people we would give anything to see again are gone forever. Things just aren't turning out the way we've been promised our whole lives. "Follow God and everything will be happy." Bull. We followed God with everything we are, and bad things still happened to us.
And it's always so much easier to be mad than hurt. It's easier to act like He doesn't exist than it is to kneel and cry out to Him and ask why. Suddenly we start to think things like, "What has He done for me? What good has he done in return for my devotion to Him?" And the whole "He lets you live" answer isn't good enough. With the pain that we've felt, it would almost be better to die. And He won't even give us that.
But the truth is, He didn't do this. We did. Adam and Eve did. Satan did. He didn't create death. He didn't create disease and decay. We did that when we skipped out on the best thing we could ever have: Him. And now, He wants more than anything to offer Himself to us again. As desperately as we want comfort and an end to this pain that we're trying to hide from, He wants to be that for us. How many times has He stretched out His hand just to watch us turn and walk away?
So one day I finally gave in. I looked right at Him and said that if He wanted me that badly, He could have me. I was tired of running, tired of trying to be stronger than something I can't even control. And then life happened. Life, that thing that I had forgotten all about. The pain never went away, but it got easier to deal with. I still cry sometimes, but I spend more time smiling--I mean really smiling, not pretending to smile for everybody else. And this world is still completely screwed up, but He's helping me get through it.
All that He did for me, He wants to do for you, too. He wants to answer your questions. He wants to ease the pain. He wants to be to you what you always thought He was: a good God. But He's not going to force Himself on you. If you want Him to do something in your life, you have to be willing to let Him. And that means you have to go back to Him. You have to trust Him.
Please understand, you don't have to change for Him. You don't have to be perfect. You don't even have to be good. He will take you as you are, with all the screw-ups you think you have. Flaws, faults, black fleece, bad habits--none of that matters right now. It's not your job to clean up for Him. It's His job to clean you up...and that includes the parts of you that are hurt and wounded. But He can't do any of that until you make Him what He is supposed to be: Lord of your life.
I know this sounds preachy, but it's who I am. I can't help it. And my words are true, I promise. I wouldn't lie to you--I hope you know that. If I really didn't think He was worth it, I wouldn't push you to Him. But I love you too much to let you live your life without knowing what it's like to be held by Him. He loves you, and I just needed to remind you of that.
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
"Venice is Sinking" by Ross King
A while back I said I would share a song with you and explain what the message of the song is and how it relates to Scripture. Since Ross King's music has been ministering to me a lot lately, I thought I'd share another one of my favorites with you.
"Venice is Sinking" is written from the point of view of a gondolier who takes tourists on rides down the water ridden streets of Venice. Throughout the whole song, he comments on how Venice is sinking deeper and deeper into its own sewer system, and yet no one ever does anything to solve the problem. They just put band-aid solutions on it, and while they stay afloat a little while longer, the problem only worsens.
Now I don't think Ross King is that concerned about the welfare of the city of Venice. Rather, I'd say this is an allegory to how too often we treat things that we deal with in our walk with Christ. Issues come up, problems arise, and rather than deal with the heart of the matter, we want to put band-aid solutions on it. We go to exciting churches with huge services to feel closer to God, but we don't take the time to study and meditate on His word and pray in earnest. We plan program after program after program to try and bring the people into the church, but do nothing to invest in their lives and show them the love of Christ that attracted the likes of Matthew, Zaccheus, and Mary Magdalene. We grit our teeth in frustration that we can't overcome a particular sin, and yet we make no changes in our daily habits to avoid temptation. Ross King's song is a warning that one day band-aid solutions won't be enough. We can only raise our streets for so long before the water is too high to rise above.
Jesus, Matthew 5:30, tells us that if any part of us causes to sin, to cut it off. It's better to go into heaven with parts missing than to go to hell whole. Now, I don't think he was being literal--otherwise, we would all be missing hands and eyes--but I do think what he's saying is deal with the problem. If something holds you back from growing in Christ, get rid of it. Don't just raise your sidewalks. Deal with the problem.
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
"Venice is Sinking" is written from the point of view of a gondolier who takes tourists on rides down the water ridden streets of Venice. Throughout the whole song, he comments on how Venice is sinking deeper and deeper into its own sewer system, and yet no one ever does anything to solve the problem. They just put band-aid solutions on it, and while they stay afloat a little while longer, the problem only worsens.
Now I don't think Ross King is that concerned about the welfare of the city of Venice. Rather, I'd say this is an allegory to how too often we treat things that we deal with in our walk with Christ. Issues come up, problems arise, and rather than deal with the heart of the matter, we want to put band-aid solutions on it. We go to exciting churches with huge services to feel closer to God, but we don't take the time to study and meditate on His word and pray in earnest. We plan program after program after program to try and bring the people into the church, but do nothing to invest in their lives and show them the love of Christ that attracted the likes of Matthew, Zaccheus, and Mary Magdalene. We grit our teeth in frustration that we can't overcome a particular sin, and yet we make no changes in our daily habits to avoid temptation. Ross King's song is a warning that one day band-aid solutions won't be enough. We can only raise our streets for so long before the water is too high to rise above.
Jesus, Matthew 5:30, tells us that if any part of us causes to sin, to cut it off. It's better to go into heaven with parts missing than to go to hell whole. Now, I don't think he was being literal--otherwise, we would all be missing hands and eyes--but I do think what he's saying is deal with the problem. If something holds you back from growing in Christ, get rid of it. Don't just raise your sidewalks. Deal with the problem.
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
Thursday, February 11, 2010
"Unplowed Ground" by Ross King...my thoughts...
Okay. As promised, here is a breakdown on my opinions on Ross King's "Unplowed Ground." If you haven't heard the song, you can listen to it here.
The first thing that caught my attention was the description of the farmer in the first verse. He seemed to so accurately describe where my mood was--looking back on stronger days and feeling tired of the desert land my life seemed to be. I had become so drained, so tired of enduring and enduring and enduring that any desire to grow and develop my relationship with Christ had wilted.
The "word to Jeremiah" that "applies to me" can be found in Jeremiah 4:3--"Yes, the Lord has this to say to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: 'Like a farmer breaking up hard unplowed ground, you must break your rebellious will and make a new beginning; just as a farmer must clear away thorns lest the seed is wasted, you must get rid of the sin that is ruining your lives.'" It was a call to renewal, to remove the things from their lives that hindered their growth with God.
The chorus hit me especially hard, because anger was my pet sin that was keeping me down. I had become so disillusioned with my Seminary professors, and to an extent the church in general, that I couldn't bring myself to read the Bible or pray in earnest or go to church, even one that I usually enjoyed. Just like God called Israel to repent, he called me to repent of the anger I allowed to take hold of my heart.
The second verse didn't apply as much to my situation as the first, but I think it's still an important part of the song. The farmer in the second verse is completely opposite of the first. He isn't having a drought, but an overflow of abundance. Things are going great for him, and as a result, he loses sight of things, and becomes materialistic. "I see how fat I am, and I'm still wanting more."
The second chorus again calls for breaking up unplowed ground, this time in reference to Hosea 10:12. In this Scripture God again calls for Israel to break up its unplowed ground, and to sow righteousness rather than wickedness. Verse 13 seems to suggest a dependence on materials and man-made things rather than God.
I think too often we find ourselves here as well. When things are going well, we like to pat ourselves on the back and say what a good job we have done. We build monuments in our minds to our own greatness, and too easily forget the One who gave us that greatness to start with.
So the song, in summary, calls for us to break up unplowed ground, to do the things that lead to growth in Christ, and to get rid of everything that holds us back. And like Ross King observes at the end of this song, so I say to you, "It's time to seek the Lord."
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
The first thing that caught my attention was the description of the farmer in the first verse. He seemed to so accurately describe where my mood was--looking back on stronger days and feeling tired of the desert land my life seemed to be. I had become so drained, so tired of enduring and enduring and enduring that any desire to grow and develop my relationship with Christ had wilted.
The "word to Jeremiah" that "applies to me" can be found in Jeremiah 4:3--"Yes, the Lord has this to say to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: 'Like a farmer breaking up hard unplowed ground, you must break your rebellious will and make a new beginning; just as a farmer must clear away thorns lest the seed is wasted, you must get rid of the sin that is ruining your lives.'" It was a call to renewal, to remove the things from their lives that hindered their growth with God.
The chorus hit me especially hard, because anger was my pet sin that was keeping me down. I had become so disillusioned with my Seminary professors, and to an extent the church in general, that I couldn't bring myself to read the Bible or pray in earnest or go to church, even one that I usually enjoyed. Just like God called Israel to repent, he called me to repent of the anger I allowed to take hold of my heart.
The second verse didn't apply as much to my situation as the first, but I think it's still an important part of the song. The farmer in the second verse is completely opposite of the first. He isn't having a drought, but an overflow of abundance. Things are going great for him, and as a result, he loses sight of things, and becomes materialistic. "I see how fat I am, and I'm still wanting more."
The second chorus again calls for breaking up unplowed ground, this time in reference to Hosea 10:12. In this Scripture God again calls for Israel to break up its unplowed ground, and to sow righteousness rather than wickedness. Verse 13 seems to suggest a dependence on materials and man-made things rather than God.
I think too often we find ourselves here as well. When things are going well, we like to pat ourselves on the back and say what a good job we have done. We build monuments in our minds to our own greatness, and too easily forget the One who gave us that greatness to start with.
So the song, in summary, calls for us to break up unplowed ground, to do the things that lead to growth in Christ, and to get rid of everything that holds us back. And like Ross King observes at the end of this song, so I say to you, "It's time to seek the Lord."
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Clarity received....now moving forward....
I have been meaning to write this post for a few days now, but between preparing for preaching last Sunday and going through surgery, having time to sit down and write has been little. But, now that I am in happy, though somewhat uncomfortable, recovery, I actually have time now.
Shortly after my last post, I sat down, fired up iTunes, and started a game of Mahjong, just to let my mind focus on something other than my circumstances for a while. "Unplowed Ground" by Ross King came up on the play list. The words struck my heart hard, and all too soon I found myself face down on the floor of my computer room crying out to God. After an extensive prayer time, and some scripture reading, God gave me the clarity I needed. To those of you who sent encouraging Facebook comments, messages, emails, phonecalls, prayers, etc etc etc....all of you. Thank you. The LORD used you to restore a man who was near to breaking point.
Since the song convicted me so much, and since my old pastor has started this on his blog, I thought it would be a good idea to share it with my readers and look into what the song is saying. I haven't completely finished my thoughts on it yet, so those will have to come later. But in the meantime, you can listen to the song here: http://new.music.yahoo.com/ross-king/tracks/unplowed-ground--183269587
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
Shortly after my last post, I sat down, fired up iTunes, and started a game of Mahjong, just to let my mind focus on something other than my circumstances for a while. "Unplowed Ground" by Ross King came up on the play list. The words struck my heart hard, and all too soon I found myself face down on the floor of my computer room crying out to God. After an extensive prayer time, and some scripture reading, God gave me the clarity I needed. To those of you who sent encouraging Facebook comments, messages, emails, phonecalls, prayers, etc etc etc....all of you. Thank you. The LORD used you to restore a man who was near to breaking point.
Since the song convicted me so much, and since my old pastor has started this on his blog, I thought it would be a good idea to share it with my readers and look into what the song is saying. I haven't completely finished my thoughts on it yet, so those will have to come later. But in the meantime, you can listen to the song here: http://new.music.yahoo.com/ross-king/tracks/unplowed-ground--183269587
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Not quite fitting in where everyone says I should...
I started this blog as a ministry to reach out to people who have become disillusioned with Christianity because of something a church did. So naturally, I try to put my best foot forward when it comes to representing the body of Christ, to show the people what Christ is about, not what churches think Christ should be about.
I also said I wouldn't water down the truth, that I would be honest and open and real. Well, that's the tricky part, isn't it? Because sometimes, when I'm open and honest and real, I end up confirming what the people I'm trying to reach are afraid of. So which is more important: honesty or keeping up the image?
I'm sick of images. I'm sick of molds. I'm sick of trying to bring people to a body that refuses to bend to reach out. I have a blog that, while not private, is certainly less accessible than this one. I was tempted to unload all my frustrations on it. That way I can say what I'm feeling without ruining the image. But that wouldn't be honest, would it?
What it all boils down to is a class, one class in my Seminary education--which thus far has brought more heartache than illumination--and a difference of opinion with my professor.
The differences are many, but going into every one of them would take too long. They all boil down to this: he has a certain idea of what a minster should look like, a mold that in his eyes a minister should fit, one that he cites as the "higher standard" ministers are called to be held to. And I do not fit that mold.
So the moral dilemma I'm struggling with is how I should respond to this. Should I adjust my beliefs and ideals to fit this mold that I'm being presented with? He's the one with the Dr. in front of his name, the lifetime experience of preaching and ministry, and the one holding my grade in the palm of his hand. He certainly has been in this ministry thing longer than me, so he probably knows more about what works and what doesn't.
But his mold flies in the face of everything I stand for. Come to think of it, the existence of a mold period flies in the face of everything I stand for. I don't believe that God is so limited that he can only operate in a Baptist, non-mystical, expository sermon to draw people to him. Yes, there are a lot of benefits to those things, but that's not the only way God operates. At least that's what my experiences have taught me. So should I just accept that I don't fit that mold and find something else to do?
Getting out of the class would be easy. All it would take is one honest conversation with the man to tell exactly what I think about his "mold," (not a hateful conversation, mind you, just an honest one) and I would be told that my heart is not in the right place to effectively represent the Gospel in the field, and that perhaps I should drop the course, possibly even Seminary altogether. And you know, that is very tempting. I know my heart's not in the right place to do what he wants me to do. But whose heart needs changing--his or mine?
Maybe I am too "mystical" for a minister, but those mystic moments have brought more clarity to me than a thousand traditional Baptist invitations. Shoot, some of those mystic moments have been during traditional Baptist invitations. But what I need right now is clarity. Clarity to do what is right. Not what I want, and not what my professor wants, but what is right. And I'm just having a very difficult time recognizing what that is right now.
So those of you who hate church to start with, please believe me when I say this isn't how it's supposed to be. This isn't what God intended, and this isn't what Christ is about. God is good, people are messed up. But I promised I would be honest, and this is what's going on...
Those of you who pray, remember me. Things that I have stood by since I was 16 years old are being shaken, and I'm not sure what's going to be left when the earthquake stops. Pray that I get the clarity that I so desperately need right now, and then pray that I have the courage and boldness to act on what I learn from it, regardless of where it takes me.
Keep Soaring, even when it means more flapping than gliding,
B
I also said I wouldn't water down the truth, that I would be honest and open and real. Well, that's the tricky part, isn't it? Because sometimes, when I'm open and honest and real, I end up confirming what the people I'm trying to reach are afraid of. So which is more important: honesty or keeping up the image?
I'm sick of images. I'm sick of molds. I'm sick of trying to bring people to a body that refuses to bend to reach out. I have a blog that, while not private, is certainly less accessible than this one. I was tempted to unload all my frustrations on it. That way I can say what I'm feeling without ruining the image. But that wouldn't be honest, would it?
What it all boils down to is a class, one class in my Seminary education--which thus far has brought more heartache than illumination--and a difference of opinion with my professor.
The differences are many, but going into every one of them would take too long. They all boil down to this: he has a certain idea of what a minster should look like, a mold that in his eyes a minister should fit, one that he cites as the "higher standard" ministers are called to be held to. And I do not fit that mold.
So the moral dilemma I'm struggling with is how I should respond to this. Should I adjust my beliefs and ideals to fit this mold that I'm being presented with? He's the one with the Dr. in front of his name, the lifetime experience of preaching and ministry, and the one holding my grade in the palm of his hand. He certainly has been in this ministry thing longer than me, so he probably knows more about what works and what doesn't.
But his mold flies in the face of everything I stand for. Come to think of it, the existence of a mold period flies in the face of everything I stand for. I don't believe that God is so limited that he can only operate in a Baptist, non-mystical, expository sermon to draw people to him. Yes, there are a lot of benefits to those things, but that's not the only way God operates. At least that's what my experiences have taught me. So should I just accept that I don't fit that mold and find something else to do?
Getting out of the class would be easy. All it would take is one honest conversation with the man to tell exactly what I think about his "mold," (not a hateful conversation, mind you, just an honest one) and I would be told that my heart is not in the right place to effectively represent the Gospel in the field, and that perhaps I should drop the course, possibly even Seminary altogether. And you know, that is very tempting. I know my heart's not in the right place to do what he wants me to do. But whose heart needs changing--his or mine?
Maybe I am too "mystical" for a minister, but those mystic moments have brought more clarity to me than a thousand traditional Baptist invitations. Shoot, some of those mystic moments have been during traditional Baptist invitations. But what I need right now is clarity. Clarity to do what is right. Not what I want, and not what my professor wants, but what is right. And I'm just having a very difficult time recognizing what that is right now.
So those of you who hate church to start with, please believe me when I say this isn't how it's supposed to be. This isn't what God intended, and this isn't what Christ is about. God is good, people are messed up. But I promised I would be honest, and this is what's going on...
Those of you who pray, remember me. Things that I have stood by since I was 16 years old are being shaken, and I'm not sure what's going to be left when the earthquake stops. Pray that I get the clarity that I so desperately need right now, and then pray that I have the courage and boldness to act on what I learn from it, regardless of where it takes me.
Keep Soaring, even when it means more flapping than gliding,
B
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Christ is not the president...
I was thinking about citizenship today, specifically citizenship in America and citizenship in the kingdom of God, and a thought came to my mind.
Jesus Christ should not be like the president.
Let me explain. I am a citizen of the United States of America, and I do what a good citizen should do. I do my best to obey the laws. I try to stay educated on the issues facing our country. I vote in every election, and I pay my taxes. I know who my president is, I respect the office, and even if he does things that I don't like, I still respect the fact that he is my president and deserves my loyalty and support.
I am also a citizen of the kingdom of God, and I try to do what a good citizen does. I do my best to follow the Lord's commands. I try to stay educated about the Bible and the issues facing the Body of Christ. I participate in ministries that spread the Gospel, and I tithe at church. I know who my Lord is, I respect His authority, and even if he does things that I don't like, I still respect the fact that He is God and deserves my loyalty and devotion.
But that isn't good enough.
I don't talk to President Obama on a daily basis. I don't base my decisions on what he thinks is best. I don't seek his favor with my lifestyle and life choices. When I need guidance or wisdom, I don't go to him for these things. He is my president, but the relationship stops there.
That's not how it is with God. I should be talking to Him on a daily basis. I should base my decisions on what He thinks is best (or really knows to be best). I should seek His favor with my lifestyle and my life choices. When I need guidance or wisdom, He is the only one I should go to for these things. He is my God, and by His grace the relationship exists between Him and me.
I, for one, have been convicted of living my life as though I am a citizen of the kingdom, but not a child of God. I keep all the duties I should as a good Christian, but too often my relationship with Christ just isn't there. Being a follower of Christ is more than just performing duties. It's about knowing Him. I pray that we won't be like those Jesus spoke of who learned this lesson to late.
"On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful deeds?’Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!'" --Matthew 7:22-23
It's not about how many good things we do or how many commandments we keep. It's about how well we know Christ, and how close our relationship is with him.
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
Jesus Christ should not be like the president.
Let me explain. I am a citizen of the United States of America, and I do what a good citizen should do. I do my best to obey the laws. I try to stay educated on the issues facing our country. I vote in every election, and I pay my taxes. I know who my president is, I respect the office, and even if he does things that I don't like, I still respect the fact that he is my president and deserves my loyalty and support.
I am also a citizen of the kingdom of God, and I try to do what a good citizen does. I do my best to follow the Lord's commands. I try to stay educated about the Bible and the issues facing the Body of Christ. I participate in ministries that spread the Gospel, and I tithe at church. I know who my Lord is, I respect His authority, and even if he does things that I don't like, I still respect the fact that He is God and deserves my loyalty and devotion.
But that isn't good enough.
I don't talk to President Obama on a daily basis. I don't base my decisions on what he thinks is best. I don't seek his favor with my lifestyle and life choices. When I need guidance or wisdom, I don't go to him for these things. He is my president, but the relationship stops there.
That's not how it is with God. I should be talking to Him on a daily basis. I should base my decisions on what He thinks is best (or really knows to be best). I should seek His favor with my lifestyle and my life choices. When I need guidance or wisdom, He is the only one I should go to for these things. He is my God, and by His grace the relationship exists between Him and me.
I, for one, have been convicted of living my life as though I am a citizen of the kingdom, but not a child of God. I keep all the duties I should as a good Christian, but too often my relationship with Christ just isn't there. Being a follower of Christ is more than just performing duties. It's about knowing Him. I pray that we won't be like those Jesus spoke of who learned this lesson to late.
"On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful deeds?’Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!'" --Matthew 7:22-23
It's not about how many good things we do or how many commandments we keep. It's about how well we know Christ, and how close our relationship is with him.
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
New Year's Resolutions...
It's another New Year, which means everyone is making resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking, exercise more, or in some other way live better than they did the year before. Sad to say that I'm no different, mostly because a doctor told me I have high-blood pressure. So, for the sake of my well-being, I have to embrace the cliche weight loss resolution.
But a verse of scripture came to my mind that has a different idea on what resolutions should be. I thought pf the text in 2 Chronicles where Solomon has completed the temple and invites God to make that temple His dwelling place. God answers, agrees, and tells Solomon this: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14).
I think that if I really want to live better in 2010 than I did in 2009, losing weight won't do me much good. Regardless of how heavy I am, I am still chained to my flesh and to its sinful desires. No, if I really want to live better, I need to do something more than just lose a few pounds. I need to change my entire lifestyle. So, this year my resolution is to be humble, to pray, to seek God's face, and to turn from my wicked ways. I want to be a man whom God hears, and whose sins are forgiven, and who lives in land restored and sustained by God.
Rest assured, I am still going to lose weight, because my body is a temple for God and it should be treated as such (not to mention the health concerns involved). But something tells me that if I focus on my relationship with Christ and turn from my worldly passions, then this weight thing will work itself out.
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
PS: Happy New Year!!!!
But a verse of scripture came to my mind that has a different idea on what resolutions should be. I thought pf the text in 2 Chronicles where Solomon has completed the temple and invites God to make that temple His dwelling place. God answers, agrees, and tells Solomon this: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14).
I think that if I really want to live better in 2010 than I did in 2009, losing weight won't do me much good. Regardless of how heavy I am, I am still chained to my flesh and to its sinful desires. No, if I really want to live better, I need to do something more than just lose a few pounds. I need to change my entire lifestyle. So, this year my resolution is to be humble, to pray, to seek God's face, and to turn from my wicked ways. I want to be a man whom God hears, and whose sins are forgiven, and who lives in land restored and sustained by God.
Rest assured, I am still going to lose weight, because my body is a temple for God and it should be treated as such (not to mention the health concerns involved). But something tells me that if I focus on my relationship with Christ and turn from my worldly passions, then this weight thing will work itself out.
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
PS: Happy New Year!!!!
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