i like board games...a lot...and when i say a lot, i mean a whole lot! and i guess i should clarify. when i say board games, i am really not talking about Gestures or Sorry or games like that. (although those games are not all bad)
what i really love are the longer, thinking, strategic games. the ones where you have to plan an approach, and then maybe change the approach 2 or 3 times during the course of the game.
i am realizing that these games have a great lesson to teach me about life (they probably have numerous lessons if i dug deep enough). but here is the lesson i have been learning.
i am realizing that my enjoyment of these games has little to do with whether i win or lose, and much to do with the process and journey of arriving at the end of the game. i love the thinking, the analyzing, the reacting, the reworking the plan and initiating the new plan. there must be a point to the game, or else the process makes no sense. there has to be a winner. or why would we even sit down to play. but i am realizing that i am less and less interested in playing games to be the winner and more and more interested in playing them to enjoy the journey.
and it is the same way in the life that God has put in front of us. often we make it so much about the end...about where we are going...about heaven and hell. and there is an end...there is a heaven and a hell...and they matter. but in many senses they are not the point right now. they are what give context to the now...but they are not the point now. the journey is the point now. the enjoyment is in the journey. the calling is in the journey. we are not here to just wait for an end to come. we are here to participate in the process. we are here to participate in the thinking, the analyzing, the reacting, the reworking the plan and initiating the new plan.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
A Dog Attack and the Restoration of Shalom...
last night our dog, Tahoe, was attacked by a pit bull.
i took him out for our normal quick walk before bed so that he can do his business (we walk to the same driveway, turn around, and come back pretty much every night). as we were on our way back home, a lady with a pit bull came to the corner and turned toward us. shortly after they turned, the dog took off at us and when it got to us, it latched on to Tahoe's neck as if he was out to kill him. it was one of the scariest moments of my life...and it happened so fast.
i first began kicking the dog as hard as i could in the side while still holding Tahoe's leash and trying to pull him away. when this did no good, i dropped the leash and jumped on top of the dog...pinning his head to the ground so that he could not shake Tahoe's neck. while doing this, i tried to punch the dog in the head or anywhere that i could. at this point, Tahoe was yelping and making some bad sounding noises...which had me seriously concerned that the dog had already ripped open Tahoe's neck.
when the punching didn't work either, i quickly got back to my feet and yanked on the dog's neck and collar and this finally caused the dog to release. as i was holding the dog, i saw that Tahoe was able to walk up into the yard...seeming to be stunned but at least moving. unfortunately, about this time, the dog's head slipped through the harness he was wearing and he was on the loose again. it took off towards Tahoe and i took off after it, and fortunately i was able to deter it from latching on to Tahoe's neck again. i began to yell for him to run and to run towards home (we were only about three houses from home) and about that time Cailyn came out the front door because she had heard the commotion. so Cailyn coaxed Tahoe to her as i began to yell to her that she needed to check his neck and see if he was bleeding. fortunately, she found that his neck was not ripped open...just a very minor cut and a bit of swelling in the neck area where the dog latched on.
when i knew he was okay, i went back down to where it all happened, to check on the lady and her dog. they were working on getting the dog's harness back on. it seemed to be fine. the lady on the other hand, was not fine. she was pretty hysterical. Mainly she was just very sorry and apologetic. i tried to assure her that our dog was fine and to tell her that i was sorry for having to do what i did to her dog.
all in all, it was an incredibly scary situation and one i hope to never have to go through again.
but in the aftermath, it got me thinking about some things i read yesterday in Simply Christian, by N.T. Wright. he is talking about the book of Isaiah, and he says: "In his eleventh chapter the prophet paints a picture of a world put to rights, of the wolf lying down with the lamb, and of the earth being filled with God's glory as the water covers the sea."
he talks about how, obviously, this is not the case currently...the wolf does not lie with the lamb (which was very obvious to me as Tahoe was attacked by this dog). but Wright goes on to call this awareness that things are not as they could be and will be, "an echo of a voice". and he talks about these "echoes of a voice" being things that point us to and make us aware of the fact that there is something more out there to be had...that there is a shalom...a rightness...a wholeness...a completeness that God is calling us towards and to participate in.
and while i don't think that God is calling me to become the next dog whisperer and to restore the shalom between fighting dogs...the fighting dogs remind me that there are all kinds of things in this world that surrounds us that we can play a role in restoring the shalom of. and so, while the memory of Tahoe being attacked is not a fond one for me...i want to allow it to inspire me to do more of what God is calling me to do in the restoration of His Shalom.
i took him out for our normal quick walk before bed so that he can do his business (we walk to the same driveway, turn around, and come back pretty much every night). as we were on our way back home, a lady with a pit bull came to the corner and turned toward us. shortly after they turned, the dog took off at us and when it got to us, it latched on to Tahoe's neck as if he was out to kill him. it was one of the scariest moments of my life...and it happened so fast.
i first began kicking the dog as hard as i could in the side while still holding Tahoe's leash and trying to pull him away. when this did no good, i dropped the leash and jumped on top of the dog...pinning his head to the ground so that he could not shake Tahoe's neck. while doing this, i tried to punch the dog in the head or anywhere that i could. at this point, Tahoe was yelping and making some bad sounding noises...which had me seriously concerned that the dog had already ripped open Tahoe's neck.
when the punching didn't work either, i quickly got back to my feet and yanked on the dog's neck and collar and this finally caused the dog to release. as i was holding the dog, i saw that Tahoe was able to walk up into the yard...seeming to be stunned but at least moving. unfortunately, about this time, the dog's head slipped through the harness he was wearing and he was on the loose again. it took off towards Tahoe and i took off after it, and fortunately i was able to deter it from latching on to Tahoe's neck again. i began to yell for him to run and to run towards home (we were only about three houses from home) and about that time Cailyn came out the front door because she had heard the commotion. so Cailyn coaxed Tahoe to her as i began to yell to her that she needed to check his neck and see if he was bleeding. fortunately, she found that his neck was not ripped open...just a very minor cut and a bit of swelling in the neck area where the dog latched on.
when i knew he was okay, i went back down to where it all happened, to check on the lady and her dog. they were working on getting the dog's harness back on. it seemed to be fine. the lady on the other hand, was not fine. she was pretty hysterical. Mainly she was just very sorry and apologetic. i tried to assure her that our dog was fine and to tell her that i was sorry for having to do what i did to her dog.
all in all, it was an incredibly scary situation and one i hope to never have to go through again.
but in the aftermath, it got me thinking about some things i read yesterday in Simply Christian, by N.T. Wright. he is talking about the book of Isaiah, and he says: "In his eleventh chapter the prophet paints a picture of a world put to rights, of the wolf lying down with the lamb, and of the earth being filled with God's glory as the water covers the sea."
he talks about how, obviously, this is not the case currently...the wolf does not lie with the lamb (which was very obvious to me as Tahoe was attacked by this dog). but Wright goes on to call this awareness that things are not as they could be and will be, "an echo of a voice". and he talks about these "echoes of a voice" being things that point us to and make us aware of the fact that there is something more out there to be had...that there is a shalom...a rightness...a wholeness...a completeness that God is calling us towards and to participate in.
and while i don't think that God is calling me to become the next dog whisperer and to restore the shalom between fighting dogs...the fighting dogs remind me that there are all kinds of things in this world that surrounds us that we can play a role in restoring the shalom of. and so, while the memory of Tahoe being attacked is not a fond one for me...i want to allow it to inspire me to do more of what God is calling me to do in the restoration of His Shalom.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Loving Others...
i have been spending a lot of time in philippians recently...and in chapter 2, paul writes, "in humility consider others better than yourself".
i know this has huge potential and would make an immense impact on the world if fully lived out...but in practice, it is hard...really hard...
i have noticed this through couples that surround cailyn and i. i really like the marriage we have...i think it is something special and unique. however, i am realizing this causes me to be judgmental and to look down on those around us. i know that i should look for the best in people and that i should work to celebrate those things. i would be happier and the world would be a much better place. and yet it still feels like a major struggle to me. so why is this?
i think that for me, it stems from my competitive nature. i don't think i have ever really been cocky in competition, but being confident has never been a problem. however, i am realizing that for me, part of what that means is more times than not thinking i am at least as good if not better than those around me. and while this may be a beneficial thing on the basketball court, it is not so ideal in real life. i am not sure why i feel it so necessary to be the best at everything, but more times than not, that seems to be the case.
i think i would benefit from truly taking to heart the words of 1 Corinthians 12 that say:
"But in fact God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you!'"
see, i think it would make perfect sense to take these words one step further, because not only can the eye not say to the hand, "i don't need you", but i think it is equally important for the eye to acknowledge the fact that the hand is way better at it's job than the eye could ever be at doing the hand's job.
i have fallen many times into the trap of thinking that i need to be the best at everything...which easily translates into needing to be better than everyone else...which easily morphs into looking down on and judging others. if i could grasp the fact that i am an eye...and that i need to be the very best eye that i can be...it would free me up to be able to celebrate the hands and the heads, and that would be a huge step away from judging and looking down.
my friend jason says something along the lines of, "everyone is the best in the world at something". i want to daily be striving to figure out what the people that surround me are the best in the world at doing, and celebrate that...instead of looking down on them and working to feel like i am the best. it seems that then, "considering others better than myself", would be a much easier journey.
what about you? when you look down on people, what tends to lead you down that path?
i know this has huge potential and would make an immense impact on the world if fully lived out...but in practice, it is hard...really hard...
i have noticed this through couples that surround cailyn and i. i really like the marriage we have...i think it is something special and unique. however, i am realizing this causes me to be judgmental and to look down on those around us. i know that i should look for the best in people and that i should work to celebrate those things. i would be happier and the world would be a much better place. and yet it still feels like a major struggle to me. so why is this?
i think that for me, it stems from my competitive nature. i don't think i have ever really been cocky in competition, but being confident has never been a problem. however, i am realizing that for me, part of what that means is more times than not thinking i am at least as good if not better than those around me. and while this may be a beneficial thing on the basketball court, it is not so ideal in real life. i am not sure why i feel it so necessary to be the best at everything, but more times than not, that seems to be the case.
i think i would benefit from truly taking to heart the words of 1 Corinthians 12 that say:
"But in fact God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you!'"
see, i think it would make perfect sense to take these words one step further, because not only can the eye not say to the hand, "i don't need you", but i think it is equally important for the eye to acknowledge the fact that the hand is way better at it's job than the eye could ever be at doing the hand's job.
i have fallen many times into the trap of thinking that i need to be the best at everything...which easily translates into needing to be better than everyone else...which easily morphs into looking down on and judging others. if i could grasp the fact that i am an eye...and that i need to be the very best eye that i can be...it would free me up to be able to celebrate the hands and the heads, and that would be a huge step away from judging and looking down.
my friend jason says something along the lines of, "everyone is the best in the world at something". i want to daily be striving to figure out what the people that surround me are the best in the world at doing, and celebrate that...instead of looking down on them and working to feel like i am the best. it seems that then, "considering others better than myself", would be a much easier journey.
what about you? when you look down on people, what tends to lead you down that path?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A Place Comfortable Enough to Cry...
last night was a great night of worship and teaching...filled with some memorable moments for me.
i noticed at the beginning of the night that there was a guy who came in that i didn't recognize. i took note of him but was unable to talk with him before dig. but shortly after i finished teaching, he came to the back and chatted with me for a minute. he seemed fairly emotional, and wanted to know if we could meet sometime.
so we set up a time to meet this morning. it was a really great time. he is going through some tough things...but he is learning much, and it was awesome that he desired to come to me and talk through it.
however, maybe most beautiful of all, was that at one point as we were talking, he said..."I feel comfortable in this place. I can trust you. Afterall, i cried through the whole thing last night and i don't even know any of you."
it was an awesome testimony to the community that God has developed and is continuing to develop in this place. it is a truly beautiful thing and i love to think about what may be next!!
i noticed at the beginning of the night that there was a guy who came in that i didn't recognize. i took note of him but was unable to talk with him before dig. but shortly after i finished teaching, he came to the back and chatted with me for a minute. he seemed fairly emotional, and wanted to know if we could meet sometime.
so we set up a time to meet this morning. it was a really great time. he is going through some tough things...but he is learning much, and it was awesome that he desired to come to me and talk through it.
however, maybe most beautiful of all, was that at one point as we were talking, he said..."I feel comfortable in this place. I can trust you. Afterall, i cried through the whole thing last night and i don't even know any of you."
it was an awesome testimony to the community that God has developed and is continuing to develop in this place. it is a truly beautiful thing and i love to think about what may be next!!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The Tough Way is Still the Best Way...
the past week has again been filled with numerous tough conversations...
i am the type of person that would just rather avoid confrontation. i feel like God has blessed me with the ability to be an incredibly positive person, but part of the problem with that is i often want to spin things in such a positive way that it leaves me skipping out on confrontation that needs to happen.
so, this past week, i have managed to not allow myself to be talked out of confrontation...and i had a couple of really tough conversations. but they were conversations where the Spirit was very obviously present...and that have brought great things in their aftermath.
i have thought much these past couple of weeks about the words of james 1:2-4 where it says...
"consider it pure joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
i have to confess...i am far from enjoying, liking, wanting, being comfortable with confrontation...but i am realizing more and more that there are times where it is simply the best way...and i pray that i can continue to rely on the Spirit to know when that is the case.
i am the type of person that would just rather avoid confrontation. i feel like God has blessed me with the ability to be an incredibly positive person, but part of the problem with that is i often want to spin things in such a positive way that it leaves me skipping out on confrontation that needs to happen.
so, this past week, i have managed to not allow myself to be talked out of confrontation...and i had a couple of really tough conversations. but they were conversations where the Spirit was very obviously present...and that have brought great things in their aftermath.
i have thought much these past couple of weeks about the words of james 1:2-4 where it says...
"consider it pure joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
i have to confess...i am far from enjoying, liking, wanting, being comfortable with confrontation...but i am realizing more and more that there are times where it is simply the best way...and i pray that i can continue to rely on the Spirit to know when that is the case.
Monday, December 6, 2010
A Great Night of Reflection...
last wednesday we finished up our series on the sermon on the mount...called ascend.
we spent 11 weeks in all looking at matthew 5,6 and 7. it was the longest expository teaching series that we have done in probably 2 and a half years. it was a great series...people really seemed to get into digging so deeply and entering into the story of God in the way that we did.
so, to come to the final week brought mixed emotions. half of the emotions were really about not wanting the series to be over...to continue to dig and study in new ways. but the other half of the emotions were all about the excitement of hearing what people had learned and what stuck out to people along the journey.
we took some time during the night and asked people to share about what stuck out to them the most, what their favorite moments were, and what they felt the most challenged by. and the sharing was really phenomenal!
there were probably 20 people that shared...and it was such a great picture to hear all of the different things that people remembered and that stuck out to people. many of which i barely remembered teaching! it is so good to be reminded that God works in so many more ways than we know or realize. really just awesome stuff!!
as we move into second semester, we will be moving to some slightly more topical series...but it leaves me incredibly excited to again dig into a section of scripture over a rather lengthy amount of time.
we spent 11 weeks in all looking at matthew 5,6 and 7. it was the longest expository teaching series that we have done in probably 2 and a half years. it was a great series...people really seemed to get into digging so deeply and entering into the story of God in the way that we did.
so, to come to the final week brought mixed emotions. half of the emotions were really about not wanting the series to be over...to continue to dig and study in new ways. but the other half of the emotions were all about the excitement of hearing what people had learned and what stuck out to people along the journey.
we took some time during the night and asked people to share about what stuck out to them the most, what their favorite moments were, and what they felt the most challenged by. and the sharing was really phenomenal!
there were probably 20 people that shared...and it was such a great picture to hear all of the different things that people remembered and that stuck out to people. many of which i barely remembered teaching! it is so good to be reminded that God works in so many more ways than we know or realize. really just awesome stuff!!
as we move into second semester, we will be moving to some slightly more topical series...but it leaves me incredibly excited to again dig into a section of scripture over a rather lengthy amount of time.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Tough Way is the Best Way...
yesterday i had some really tough conversations with some students. conversations based in highly charged topics surrounding faith and actions. topics that tend to be polarized...some standing on one side while others choosing the opposite side.
they are things that if we lived and followed Christ in an ideal world, we wouldn't have to deal with. but because that is far from the context in which we live...we do have to deal with them. and i believe that they way we chose to embrace these tough gray areas has serious implications for faith moving forward.
and yet, i have to be honest...there is a huge part of me that wishes...and maybe even dreams that we wouldn't have to have these conversations. often i want for ministry to be easy, and comfortable, and smooth, and safe, and without tough stuff. but i know in the depths of my being, that as soon as those thoughts and emotions win out...our ministry begins to fail. because that is not the way that true life change happens. easy, comfortable, smooth, safe, and without tough stuff is not going to lead people towards finding their way back to God. we have tried that in churches and faith communities for far too long...and it is simply not working.
and so...as i look back on yesterday...it had some of the toughest conversations i have had in a while...and it was one of the more roller coaster like days i have had in a while. and yet, i can say confidently, that it was one of the best days of ministry i have had in quite some time as well. i feel confident that strides were made in people finding their way back to God...and that is what i believe God has called me, and us, to hang our hats on here in this ministry in this place.
i pray that out of this, i will be able to embrace the tough stuff more and more! Lord help me, because i know there is no way i can do it on my own.
they are things that if we lived and followed Christ in an ideal world, we wouldn't have to deal with. but because that is far from the context in which we live...we do have to deal with them. and i believe that they way we chose to embrace these tough gray areas has serious implications for faith moving forward.
and yet, i have to be honest...there is a huge part of me that wishes...and maybe even dreams that we wouldn't have to have these conversations. often i want for ministry to be easy, and comfortable, and smooth, and safe, and without tough stuff. but i know in the depths of my being, that as soon as those thoughts and emotions win out...our ministry begins to fail. because that is not the way that true life change happens. easy, comfortable, smooth, safe, and without tough stuff is not going to lead people towards finding their way back to God. we have tried that in churches and faith communities for far too long...and it is simply not working.
and so...as i look back on yesterday...it had some of the toughest conversations i have had in a while...and it was one of the more roller coaster like days i have had in a while. and yet, i can say confidently, that it was one of the best days of ministry i have had in quite some time as well. i feel confident that strides were made in people finding their way back to God...and that is what i believe God has called me, and us, to hang our hats on here in this ministry in this place.
i pray that out of this, i will be able to embrace the tough stuff more and more! Lord help me, because i know there is no way i can do it on my own.
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