Posts tagged life
Routine Dreams
Mar 24th
I have been trying to wrap my mind around this phenomenon with Benaiah and the lion. By the way, Mark Batterson’s book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day has been some the best encouragement I have ever read. The book itself, has taught me that all my fears are only excuses. It is a must read.
I tend to make things more difficult and complicated than they really are. I am too analytical. And honestly, as I was breaking down these short statements about Benaiah, I thought “this is way out of context.” I mean cmon’ there is no preface or sequel. I don’t think I can legitimately say that God wanted Benaiah to risk his life by attempting to kill a lion. Maybe details were lost in translation. I don’t know. This week as I attempted to lead our life group through a portion of this story, I left shaking my head. I felt like I did the lesson no justice. I bombed. I concluded that I expect God to be literal with me and learned that this has been a mistake that I have been making for a long time.
No God doesn’t want me to jump into a hole and fight off Africanized wild beasts. But I do believe He wants me to take risks. Not risks in light of dictionary.com’s definition. Yes the definition applies but only partly. Where I don’t agree with this definition is the part about loss or failure. If I am truly taking a risk for God and I fail, God still receives glory because I chased the lion. I wouldn’t fail because I still put Him first. The scenario with Benaiah’s lion ordeal, I believe, was part of his routine. I am not saying that this routine was commonplace within this era but that for some reason Benaiah needed to kill this lion. I don’t think he was legally insane, maybe dangerously crazy, but not coo koo. Otherwise David wouldn’t have put him in a position of leadership, right? Of course these are just assumptions from a rookishly wannabe theologian, made thousands of years after the fact.
Just as if I am studying the Bible, Batterson’s entire book should be read to learn of the common thread within all the characters portrayed. That common thread, I believe, is that all the people spoken of had a fear of God.
Benaiah killed the lion despite the obvious odds in the lions favor. I think it is healthy to say that he trusted in his God given ability. This is the principal that I have been missing. Somewhere within the Bible I have read that God will give me the desires of my heart. And I think it is safe to assume, as long as these desires relate to making Him famous, I am good to go. Benaiah’s battle with the lion had to have God’s involvement. Logically, the lion wins every time in this situation. But not this time. Actually this isn’t the only guy in the Bible who could be labeled as roid user. Other men in the Bible have taken out large animals and outnumbered armies. These men were juiced with a fear of God.
I could go on and on about what this “fear of God” is. But I can’t. I would just ramble. Personally I can only attempt to describe MY fear of God. I believe my “lion” is to follow Him completely while living within a “routine”. I hope this is as easily understood for you as well. Check out Proverbs 19:23 MSG. Try to follow along with the latter because what is in my head doesn’t always come out very well through my finger tips.
Because I know Him, I have learned that I have been commanded to follow Him. As I attempt to follow Him, I screw up. My fear of God, thankfully brings my screw ups to my attention. This fear also convicts me to continue to follow and screw up less often. I have found through trial and error that the less I follow, the more I screw up. To follow Him, is when I put Him first in absolutely EVERYTHING I do. This is what I would describe as my routine. That is, everyone was created to worship Him by serving others first and then give Him the glory. No that wasn’t backwards. Serve Him by putting others first and then give Him the glory. This is where I believe I have failed. I have been putting Him first before others (in that I try to learn and gain from Him for my personal benefit by gaining insight that will help my problems) and honestly most of the time I have cut in line before God. To follow Him, or live my life like Him, I must put everyone else first just as Christ did. Again this is just my rationale. Wouldn’t you say that Christ put others first, even before Himself? If this raises hairs, think about it logically, it is all just a simple cycle that in the end glorifies God. All of the above is just my routine.
My “lion” on the other hand, is my dream. You may label your “lion” as calling. I believe my dream/calling is to take my family and our routine into Latin America. This lion/dream/calling, I believe is the point of Batterson’s book. God even wants our dreams as stated in Psalms 20:4. I think a better way to describe this is, adventure. These adventures are the circumstances that are presented to us within our routines. Good or bad. God wants us to let go of our reasoning and make Him famous by attempting to chase our dreams. If we trust Him and continue to live out our routine, God will do what God does.
Live Your Life
Mar 19th
It amazes me that when anyone hits rock bottom, only good is staring down to help pull them up. Even those far from the G word, realize good trumps evil. I ripped these lyrics off T.I.’s “Live Your Life.” I don’t know about you, but I can see the reflection of Christ’ light beneath the words. What I take from these words, is that I need to make One person famous and forget about absolutely everything else. Check out The Road to Redemption. Just as every follower has hit rock bottom, our debt to Christ for finding that beautiful knowledge, should be to repay Him by loving and serving others.
(T.I.):
Never mind what haters say, ignore them ’til they fade away.
Amazing they ungrateful after all the game I gave away.
Safe to say I paved the way, for you cats to get paid today.
You still be wasting days away now had I never saved the day.
Consider them my protégé, homage I think they should pay.
Instead of being gracious, they violate in a major way.
I never been a hater still I love them, in a crazy way.
Some say they so yay and no they couldn’t get work on Labor day.
It aint that they black or white, their hands a area the shade of grey.
I’m West side anyway, even if I left the day it stayed away.
Some move away to make a way not move away cause they afraid.
I’ll go back to the hood and all you ever did was take away.
I pray for patience but they make me want to melt they face away.
Like I once made them scream, now I could make them plead their case away.
Been thuggin’ all my life, can’t say I don’t deserve to take a break.
You’d rather see me catch a case, and watch my future fade away.
(T.I.):
I’m the opposite of moderate, immaculately polished with the spirit of a hustler and the swagger of a college kid.
Allergic to the counterfeit, impartial to the politics.
Articulate but still would grab a nigga by the collar quick.
Whoever havin problems, with they record sale just holla TIP.
If that don’t work and all else fails, then turn around and follow TIP.
I got love for the game but ay I’m not in love with all of it.
I do without the fame and the rappers nowadays are comedy.
The hootin’ and the hollerin’, back and forth with the arguing.
Where you from, who you know, what you make and what kind of car you in.
Seems as though you lost sight of what’s important with the positive.
And checks until your bank account, and you’re about poverted.
Your values is a disarrayed, prioritizing horribly.
Unhappy with the riches cause you miss-poor morally.
Ignoring all prior advice and fore warning.
And we mighty full of ourselves all of a sudden aren’t we?
Pretty Cute for Two Ugly People
Feb 19th
If I told you these two people were married, you probably would come up with reasons why they should not be. Whether it be because they are black and white. Because she is taller than him. Because their kids would look funny. Because people will always stare at them. I guarantee you laughed, smiled, or at least raised an eyebrow.
Everyone who is married or has ever been married believes they have the best advice for those who are about to take the plunge. I have only been married for about 6 years. I don’t have any advice to offer but simply to “hang on.” Marriage can be tough. The first year was the hardest for us. We dated for 2 years before we said “I do.” The pre-marriage was incredible. Literally, the first time I saw her I knew she was the one! I didn’t even talk to her until 4 months after that moment. I was scared. She was hotter, smarter, funnier, and more ambitious than any other girl I had dated.
Then we put on those rings and instantly things changed. That’s the part I didn’t realize was going to happen. Nobody told us that things would change. We changed into one person with two very different bodies, minds, and agendas. Now, we have become acquainted to one another. Life is Good. I would probably jump out of a plane without a chute if she left me. I really don’t think I could make it without her. I don’t care if you think I should “man up.” She IS my other half. And until we both realized that we were one, our marriage wasn’t as strong as it should be. Marriage is a mystery…?
Two young kids are asking me to hitch them. I was their youth pastor. And frankly, at first I was flattered but then I thought “are you sure?” Not sure about me marrying them but sure about getting married itself. I have been thinking about what I would advise them. I ran across this and was blown away.
I found this insanely great piece of advice here.
I wish somebody would have told us this!
Real Happiness
Feb 11th
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
Again, our author actually verbalizes that he tried to find happiness.
I find that he is completely honest. I don’t believe he is bragging either when he runs through his list of possessions.
This guy physically owned every toy available to a king 2500 years ago. I can picture him sitting in a large chair becoming bored by the joker juggling loaves of bread in front of him. I see him yawning as chefs prepare new appetizers. I can hear him telling the Rapunzel look alike to stop singing.
He didn’t just own stuff. He built stuff. He was an architect, engineer, inventor, gardener, farmer, and a master to slaves. He was big pimping. Maybe even literally.
He was the greatest that had ever ruled Jerusalem. I can sense some sarcasm. I believe he knew people wanted to be him. He knew people wanted what he had but he didn’t become pious.
It’s almost as if he knows that he is not going to gain happiness from possessions and accomplishments but he is going to try just in case. Who hasn’t done that? I have.
He makes sure that we know that he knew what he was doing. He wants people to know that he wasn’t on some sweet sixteen escapade. He had a purpose. That purpose was to prove that only through Yahweh was real happiness possible.
His status didn’t come from being a king. His hard work brought in his stuff. His hard work gained notariaty. His hard work created callouses.
As he looks at his hands and reflects on his time spent pursuing happiness, he shakes his head.
Real happiness only comes FROM the father. Real happiness cannot be created. Real happiness cannot be duplicated. As soon as our purpose for anything leaves the Creators scheme, it cannot present real happiness.
Maybe pleasure but not real happiness.
Good Grief
Feb 6th
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
The author calls it a burden.
I think that’s a good thing. This burden can be a reminder of what is truly important.
The author says he has studied, learned, and taught. He’s highly educated.
Through this knowledge, a burden has infected his soul.
As seen in the previous verses, the author ensures his audience that EVERYTHING is meaningless. Everything that I can attain without God, is meaningless!
At least our pursuits. The more I think about this, the more I agree. Some of my selfish pursuits are needed. At least, I thought they were needed.
The author sates. “What is twisted cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.” If my pursuits didn’t begin with God, they will always be selfish. I need so much of God, that there is no increment great enough to fully measure that need.
Again, the author states that the more he learns, the more he grieves.
I can relate. The more I realize and began to understand my purpose the more I want others to understand as well. The more I understand life, the more the burden of sharing those conclusions arise. This grief is good. This grief keeps me on my toes. This grief pushes me outside. This grief allows me to connect. Good grief.
