Why is it that every single situation, group decision, etc that I've witnessed or been a part of the past few days (or weeks, or years) has been safe and utterly unremarkable.
God is remarkable...and not very safe. He will supply all of our needs, but he's not safe.
I'm tired of safe.
Jesus says, "I say to you, not in all of Israel have I found such great faith."
I'm pretty amazed at this guy's faith. I am pretty sure that I'll never have this much faith. I, like the apostles, have often asked for Jesus to increase my faith, but I'm reminded of Lk 17:5:
"If you had faith like a mustard seed...you could move trees and mountains"
I guess it doesn't take much faith, huh? It's like that old hot sauce that mom used to make that I'd pour on my black-eyed peas...a little bit goes a long way. If I just exercised the faith that I already have I'd be right there with the Centurion.
I'm also reminded of Heb. 11:5 which reminds us that Jesus is the "author and perfecter of faith..." If he gives us any faith at all, he's going to perfect it. I think the problem is that faith seems to be something that we either have or that we don't. Seems to me that "faith" is more of a process. Which brings us back to the Centurion. Because of the place where he was in his life (in a position of authority and leadership), his faith was great.
I know I need to exercise the faith that I already have, trusting that in the process, Jesus will perfect it in me.
The first thing they taught us in design school is not to take a 'i'll know it when I see it' customer.
Seems on this one particular project that i've been working on, my boss is one of those customers (no offense if you ever read this, boss).
I'm at my wits end on this one, because I really want to put my design prefernces aside and give him what he wants, but (even after several conversations with him on the subject) I have no clue what he wants.
Frustrating.
Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me, because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him.
The man who was dying blessed me; I made the widow's heart sing.I wonder if it has something to do with the fact that I was working - helping to troubleshoot video problems, if it is something to do with my spiritual life, if it is just a fluke, or if we as a church staff are failing to produce atmospheres condusive to the outbreak of worship.
It just strikes me as strange that for a better worship experience I have to find service somewhere than the Service.
59,000 employees go at it each day. 30+ employees that work full time on nothing but holiday decorations.
The sad thing is that alll that work and money is all for a fleeting goal. The work that is done there, for the most part, has no eternal impact.
What if we could put that many people, that much money, and all that effort toward something that lasts? What if we used all those resources for something that mattered?
I'm just sayin'...
The theme parks take up only about 30 percent of the Disney property.
Perhaps the most impressive thing is how all of the Disney employees have a sense of pride and a sense of Disney being 'bigger than me.'
I think it would be great if everyone could have that attitude about God's kingdom. It is so much bigger than me. If church volunteers could get the mindset that it's bigger than me. Yes, I park cars, but, it's about more than that.
God's kingdom is big. Yet, I can be proud that I am part owner (co-heir) of it.
What struck me was the servanthood. This guy probably has done this very thing a hundred times before, and probably didn't think much about it. But, wouldn't it be amazing if everyone served their spouse in such a way.
I know I could stand to serve Amy more, better. I love you babe!
The Bad News
Our softball team took another beating this morning. We're now 1 and 5 on the season (with a rainout). We've faced the top three teams in the three weeks we've played, so hopefully we're done with the beatings.
The frustrating thing is that we're really not terrible. We just don't get the key hit to bust open an inning, and we make the rare error in the field at exactly the wrong time. Oh, well...happy mother's day Mom.
I couldn't help but notice that it was so clutered and crowded with help wanted ads or services for hire that I couldn't really focus on any one in particular.
It seems to me to be a bad way of advertising. Yes, it's free...but it's useless. It is pretty indicative of all marketing today. There's too much of it and it produces a clutter and nobody's message really gets across. No one is paying attention.
I then started thinking about our lives in general. In many of our lives there's an incredible amount of clutter. So many demands on our time, so much to get done...I wonder if we were to declutter, if it'd be easier for God to work in us. Fortunately, God's not like us...he doesn't shut down when there's too much clutter. In fact, if we're willing, He can help us declutter.
I'm going to try to not be like the useless billboard. I'm going to try to slow down and see/hear God more. Join me?
This evening when I arrived home from work I picked up Quinn because he was whining. I got half way out of the kitchen and he puked all over me. He went on to puke several more times on the night, and all I could do is sit there and hold him...helpless to do anything about the situation.
Later, leaving Amy at home to take care of Quinn, I went to lead our small group. I really felt like the discussion went well. It's funny, sometimes I do a lot of prep work for small group and the discussion falls flat. Today, I only did a little prep and things went great. It just goes to show that it's all about God showing up, not about my effort. Helpless.
The doctor still thinks I have a long-lasting virus (my liver counts were slightly low - no big deal - and everything else was normal).
My energy level is slowly rising. The body aches and headaches are gone.
I did lose 8 lbs in one week between doctor visits. However, i'm sure i'll gain it back quickly because my appetite is coming back.
I have been drinking a lot more water...yet I haven't cut back on the soda much (just drinking and peeing more). Also not doing so good on the eating out less goal, and, as a result not cutting back on the red meat too much either.
In spite of all this, my quest to be healthier goes on. Stay tuned.
