Design

Thinking about an illustration I pondered awhile ago and was revisiting this week.  So, we all are designed by and for God.  We think we're in charge of ourselves and we like to go our way and do what we like to do, all the while ignoring what we're made for.  It's like an electric can opener deciding it's really a framing hammer.  Yeah, an electric can opener may be able to pound nails into 2 by 4's like a framing hammer, but is that what it's designed for? No.  And, at some point is it likely that abusing it this way may make it nearly inoperable as an electric can opener?  Yes, at least it most likely wouldn't function as a can opener unless it was sent back to the manufacturer for repairs. 

So, I was thinking about how we completely miss our design at times and use ourselves in ways never intended for us and sometimes very harmful to us.  We need to read the directions - hear what the manufacturer intended for us and operate in line with our design.  Form and function - true of the human spirit, soul and body.

Just Need Some Nature

I work in an office day in and day out.  A computer and phone are constant companions hour by hour.  I actually leave my office every day for lunch so that I can get out and away from the environment for a period of time.  I usually make some time to be out in my yard or get away to the outdoors for some time when I'm not at work.  But, every once in awhile I need to be immersed in nature for a good period of time.  It's like a recharging of my batteries.  I have to do it - I need it - I'm made for it. 

This weekend I'm looking forward to connecting with the ocean.  Ahhh - can't wait!

Notary People

Went to take my Notary renewal today and was amused and amazed at all the different people and their attitudes. Odd people, Notaries.  Of course, I can say that since I've been one for over 20 years. Some were furious that they had to spend a day doing this.  Others were bored.  Some were worried (this was their 1st time).  Some were worried (this was their re-test)!  Some were worried they weren't going to pick up their children on time from day care.  Still others were relaxed and enjoying the time.  Some were dressed in office attire.  Others were in jeans and t-shirts.  There were young, old, women, men, cowboys, techno geeks, business folks, some in poor health, others fit as a fiddle - all sorts of people.  The proctors who administered the test were interesting - they seemed to have the knack of causing lots of the people to lose their patience and temper. Me - I was looking at Jesus a lot of the day.  He was just smiling there, pointing to one or another person for me to pray about.  I enjoyed the day with Him and all the people.  Think I passed the test - haven't failed it yet in all these years, but you never know!  If I fail, I'll just re-take the test and have another day enjoying the people with Jesus - again.  :D

Forgotten Dreams

Hard rains scour the mind
collecting into rivers,
rests forgotten dreams

When Good is Bad

Did you ever notice how doing "good" things seems to be THE big focus of some?  Now before you think I'm against good things - let me note that I'm a strong proponent of good things.  BUT, I do not believe in doing good things just because they are good.  WHAT?  What does that mean?  OK, let me explain.  Say a man goes to a poor village in South America and helps the people there dig a well for clean water.  That would be a good thing, a worthy, compassionate and honorable thing.  But, that very same good thing would actually be bad if indeed the man were a surgeon and people in that village were dying that he could save with his medical skills all the while he's digging a well. By the same token - a man who is a surgeon, but has free time and no sick people to tend to may "best" use his time digging a well!

The good is always the enemy of the best.  I believe people can do 3 things to make the good they do always the best:

1. Discover their unique design and giftings and commit to living into and practicing that as a way of life.
2. Determine the "best" (not just good) in any situation, given who they are and what is at hand.
3. Act in accord with #'s 1 & 2.

Eternal Things

So, I heard Him say that the only things we get to do on this Earth that last are what we engrave and press into each other. All the things we long to make our lasting mark with, everything we build and all the grandeur and accomplishment we strive for upon the Earth - He says all these things will pass away and when you leave this world and go to my rest you will see the beloved and all that lasts is what you left upon each other with me. So, it's like writing or painting or recording in whatever way on each other's walls with Jesus - this will be shown in heaven for everyone to see. So, if you want to really make eternal marks - write on the walls of the beloved. Write grand and glorious truths of God upon them. Write the love of Christ - paint - sing - dance - record all the ways such can be.

April is Action Month!

Do something good that you've been putting off or that you've never done before. See aprilisactionmonth.com to see some fascinating details on the contest! But go there before April 29th, 2010 - that's when the contest ends!
Isn't it funny how you can think about doing something and then sort of put it off, talk yourself out of it or just ignore it all together? I thought about starting a blog a couple of years ago. I even went as far as to buy a book on how to do it. But, like many things people think of or dream about, I didn't do anything with it. I do plenty of other things I want and dream about doing, but with some things - it's like a wall is standing in my way and I can't seem to get around it. For me with this blog that wall moved when someone asked me to take action (see the website referenced above). Of course I didn't even think about a blog at first. I had to actually think pretty hard - "Gee, what do I really want to do that I haven't done or I've put off?" Then, I remembered that a blog was part of a hope I'd had some time ago. So, here I am with "Expectant Life" expectant of good things.