What baggage are you carrying on your journey? Are you aware of its weight? Light? Heavy? Is it pity? Or, unforgiveness? Maybe it's an intolerant attitude toward all the mistakes you've made? Maybe it's a deep sadness. But those are only the negative baggage pieces and there are light ones too. There are memories and hopes and dreams. There are experiences and people. The point seems to be that we all carry excess baggage the dilemmas are: how much do we let it influence our daily life and how heavy is it? Perhaps the most salient question is... do we want to continue carrying it and if so, which pieces?
For me, I've discovered that the only 'light' baggage to carry are such things as happiness, not pie in the sky or rose colored glasses, but a deep sense of happiness. Another to carry is joy. Scripture tells us that the "...joy of the Lord is our strength...". What about peace? Is that in your backpack too? A tad bit of mischief? Much of your attitude about your baggage is related to your attitude about your life. Are you a person who uses your experiences as guides but not as the irrefutable authority? An inquiring spirit is another excellent piece to add. Again, the point is that not all baggage is heavy.
Many times the items we carry with us hold a great deal of significance for us... but sometimes their value is nil. But every once in awhile we need to do a 'clear out' - to rid ourselves of those items that carry no value or may be detrimental to us. Sometimes we carry things that we really don't realize we are - this often happens in the realm of unforgiveness. Why hold onto those things that beset us and instead make room for those things that are a comfort, encouragement, or strengthening?
Quite honestly I find that when I do look at many of those items that I'm intending to clear out, I discover that they were only dead weight and did nothing to enhance my journey. A nearly euphoric feeling occurs when I feel the lightness that now exists, after I have rid myself of those pieces, and I tend to ask myself, 'why did I carry it for so long?' Baggage is there to help us, not hinder. As a result we should always look at their benefit for us on our journey.
... do you have excess baggage?
Monday, April 29, 2013
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Where are you???
Do you know? Accepting the fact that we are on a journey called Life, where are you on your journey? And no, I'm not talking about your chronological age... I'm talking about your personal age. Are you still in the beginning of your journey - gathering supplies and mapping out your directions? Or perhaps you are on your journey, but where on the journey - middle (whatever that means)? Maybe you're at the end of your journey... are you pleased? relieved? wanting to retrace steps to make corrections or changes? Looking at yourself at this precise moment... are you where you thought you'd be, want to be, need to be?
Too often it is on hindsight that we discover, with a bit of surprise, that we are where we are. That where we thought we would be is different from the reality. Sometimes that's better, sometimes that's not as good. The point is though, now that you know where you are, what do you want to do about it? You always have options as long as you take the opportunity and responsibility. You can continue. Quit. Stop momentarily. Change direction. All sorts of options are available, but what do you determine as your best 'next step'? Not the easy one... nor the most difficult, the one that continues to define who you are.
I know that at the reassessment stage many like to talk out (with a trusted and valued 'other') where they see themselves. To have another audience to listen, understand, and only make suggestions when granted the opportunity. Mostly it's just to talk. To discuss the dreams, the accomplishments, the possibilities still available. It has to be meaningful, at least for me. My journey has to make sense so that I can determine what I want to do, can do and am willing to pay the price to do.
Don’t expect everyone to understand your journey, especially if they’ve never had to walk your path! If you have the need to walk by having others' understanding then you probably won't be walking your path... you'll be walking others' definitions. Walking your own path requires determination, dedication, confidence, and a great deal of humor and forgiveness. Life is always for those willing to engage and embrace it.
...sooo, where are you?
Too often it is on hindsight that we discover, with a bit of surprise, that we are where we are. That where we thought we would be is different from the reality. Sometimes that's better, sometimes that's not as good. The point is though, now that you know where you are, what do you want to do about it? You always have options as long as you take the opportunity and responsibility. You can continue. Quit. Stop momentarily. Change direction. All sorts of options are available, but what do you determine as your best 'next step'? Not the easy one... nor the most difficult, the one that continues to define who you are.
I know that at the reassessment stage many like to talk out (with a trusted and valued 'other') where they see themselves. To have another audience to listen, understand, and only make suggestions when granted the opportunity. Mostly it's just to talk. To discuss the dreams, the accomplishments, the possibilities still available. It has to be meaningful, at least for me. My journey has to make sense so that I can determine what I want to do, can do and am willing to pay the price to do.
Don’t expect everyone to understand your journey, especially if they’ve never had to walk your path! If you have the need to walk by having others' understanding then you probably won't be walking your path... you'll be walking others' definitions. Walking your own path requires determination, dedication, confidence, and a great deal of humor and forgiveness. Life is always for those willing to engage and embrace it.
...sooo, where are you?
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Decisions, decisions...
How you go about making decisions is really, really important. Yes, the decision is the essential focus and point and then acting on it, but do not diminish the importance of how you go about making the decision in the first place. I realize that is an obvious comment but that doesn't make it less accurate or less dramatic. Adopting a form of mindless approach to making decisions will result in potential unwanted results.
Do you know how you make decisions? Reasoned? Impulse? With 'study' and research? Spontaneously? Where do you turn to get the information you need to make your decisions? How fast do you decide? And these are only the obvious issues involved in making decisions. Bottom line is you need to know your style of decision making. I really hate to make decisions on the fly, unless it is a harmless entertainment based decision. I don't like to be pushed into making a decision but once I have decided then I don't like to wait to act on it. That defines my style. Yours?
When the decision is between two opposites then the decision is easy - you choose the one that matches your standards. But what do you do when the decision is basically between two 'goods' or worse, between two 'bads'? (I leave the definition of good and bad up to you.) The point is that unless you take the initiative to 'engage' the issues related to the decision then the decision will be foisted upon you and you've loss the 'edge'. And these occurrences happen quite often.
Throughout our lives we are faced with countless decisions... daily. How we determine our answer to these issues is a character point. We need to know how we behave when faced with a decision, regardless of the level of significance. However, it is in those situations that are critical, that are extremely important and need to be determined quickly that informs us of who we are. It IS our character, our attitude that determines the foundation of our actions.
... but, what do you think?
Do you know how you make decisions? Reasoned? Impulse? With 'study' and research? Spontaneously? Where do you turn to get the information you need to make your decisions? How fast do you decide? And these are only the obvious issues involved in making decisions. Bottom line is you need to know your style of decision making. I really hate to make decisions on the fly, unless it is a harmless entertainment based decision. I don't like to be pushed into making a decision but once I have decided then I don't like to wait to act on it. That defines my style. Yours?
When the decision is between two opposites then the decision is easy - you choose the one that matches your standards. But what do you do when the decision is basically between two 'goods' or worse, between two 'bads'? (I leave the definition of good and bad up to you.) The point is that unless you take the initiative to 'engage' the issues related to the decision then the decision will be foisted upon you and you've loss the 'edge'. And these occurrences happen quite often.
Throughout our lives we are faced with countless decisions... daily. How we determine our answer to these issues is a character point. We need to know how we behave when faced with a decision, regardless of the level of significance. However, it is in those situations that are critical, that are extremely important and need to be determined quickly that informs us of who we are. It IS our character, our attitude that determines the foundation of our actions.
... but, what do you think?
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
At times I really don't understand me...
I suppose you don't have that problem. Be honest with yourself - we all do. I suspect that Paul might understand what I mean (do the things I don't want). As a very logical and rational person, I sometimes let my emotions lead me and quite poorly I might add. I have no problem with allowing emotions to have a voice in my decision making, however I really don't like it when I let them dictate my actions. Inevitably I have to apologize or retrace steps or attempt to justify what I did/didn't do, at least to myself. That rarely works.
While we all may share, in some degree, this dilemma it doesn't answer the underlying question of why we do it. This behavior is often marked with arguments with yourself about why you are doing what you are doing, but it rarely changes the action. Without question this action is conscious and deliberate and there is absolutely no excuse that you didn't realize. You do but you do it anyway. This is a 'condition' we all encounter, the point is what do we do about it?
It would be my contention that if we focus on discovering the 'why' then we need to change this focus. As helpful as it may be to understand why we do what we don't want to do and don't do what we should do... it would be a better use of our time and energy to focus on what precipitates these behaviors. If we identify what is happening in our minds and hearts prior to these 'event (s)' then we can develop ways of deflecting or eliminating our negative behavior.
The point in all this is that we can overcome. IF we want to. If we want to change our behavior, the ability is in our hands. We are our responsibility. Do we want to change, to grow? But this must be a proactive decision and one we commit to. It can't be based in guilt, in outta's. It has to be what we decide we want to be, want to do. The reason is that we will face challenges, obstacles, stumblings and if we aren't committed then the likelihood is we'll give up saying it's too hard or not in our control. It isn't of course. It always is our decision. Why is important, but it is secondary to acting to stop the behavior.
...but, what do you think?
While we all may share, in some degree, this dilemma it doesn't answer the underlying question of why we do it. This behavior is often marked with arguments with yourself about why you are doing what you are doing, but it rarely changes the action. Without question this action is conscious and deliberate and there is absolutely no excuse that you didn't realize. You do but you do it anyway. This is a 'condition' we all encounter, the point is what do we do about it?
It would be my contention that if we focus on discovering the 'why' then we need to change this focus. As helpful as it may be to understand why we do what we don't want to do and don't do what we should do... it would be a better use of our time and energy to focus on what precipitates these behaviors. If we identify what is happening in our minds and hearts prior to these 'event (s)' then we can develop ways of deflecting or eliminating our negative behavior.
The point in all this is that we can overcome. IF we want to. If we want to change our behavior, the ability is in our hands. We are our responsibility. Do we want to change, to grow? But this must be a proactive decision and one we commit to. It can't be based in guilt, in outta's. It has to be what we decide we want to be, want to do. The reason is that we will face challenges, obstacles, stumblings and if we aren't committed then the likelihood is we'll give up saying it's too hard or not in our control. It isn't of course. It always is our decision. Why is important, but it is secondary to acting to stop the behavior.
...but, what do you think?
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Your Journey called... Life
Without question Life is a journey. And equally without question, Life isn't safe! But it isn't designed to be. Maybe not in the 'dangerous' category but definitely not safe. And though it isn't necessarily easy either, our attitude determines our view and 'easy' like 'safe', is always individually defined. We shouldn't be frightened of living. Life isn't to hide from but to enjoy, to discover. It's a gift! But you have to act on the gift for there to be meaning for you. You can't live through others. You have to choose to be engaged in your life, to live your life. And life is always a journey.
Personally, I believe that Life is a series of adventures if you approach the day with the mindset of discovery and as a learner. One's life is a journey and it can be incredibly fun and it can sometimes be just a tad scary. There's pain and there's intense happiness. As long as you have purpose, as long as you have meaning in your life, you can embrace the day with joy and excitement. But it must be embraced. You can't live life from a distance, it doesn't work that way.
If you do approach life as a journey then it can be entertaining as well as enlightening. Another attitude-choice. Just like you had to learn that 2+2=4 before you could do algebra, you have steps in your learning. Defining yourself, your goals, your dreams is more than merely thinking about them... you have to act on them. You will end up with scraped knees but you will also learn lessons that will guide you the rest of your life as you interact with the world in which you find yourself, your journey.
Journeys are typically from one place to another, not necessarily in a straight line (though that is the quickest and often the easiest approach). Whether your journey is a straight line or slightly more convoluted, you will always have the opportunity to learn from the experience. Journeys also typically have people who enter, merge, and stay for awhile before moving on. Our lives are always enriched by these encounters. The point is that your journey is never an isolated one. But it will require your involvement. Enjoy your journey...
...but, what do you think?
Personally, I believe that Life is a series of adventures if you approach the day with the mindset of discovery and as a learner. One's life is a journey and it can be incredibly fun and it can sometimes be just a tad scary. There's pain and there's intense happiness. As long as you have purpose, as long as you have meaning in your life, you can embrace the day with joy and excitement. But it must be embraced. You can't live life from a distance, it doesn't work that way.
If you do approach life as a journey then it can be entertaining as well as enlightening. Another attitude-choice. Just like you had to learn that 2+2=4 before you could do algebra, you have steps in your learning. Defining yourself, your goals, your dreams is more than merely thinking about them... you have to act on them. You will end up with scraped knees but you will also learn lessons that will guide you the rest of your life as you interact with the world in which you find yourself, your journey.
Journeys are typically from one place to another, not necessarily in a straight line (though that is the quickest and often the easiest approach). Whether your journey is a straight line or slightly more convoluted, you will always have the opportunity to learn from the experience. Journeys also typically have people who enter, merge, and stay for awhile before moving on. Our lives are always enriched by these encounters. The point is that your journey is never an isolated one. But it will require your involvement. Enjoy your journey...
...but, what do you think?
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Endings are inevitable
We face many endings throughout our lives. Sometimes it's as simple as when a project comes to an end, a relatively 'insignificant', non-personal event regardless of your involvement. But if you're involved then the ending is yours too. Or maybe it's something very personal like the unexpected death of a loved one. Maybe it's a ending that requires us to make some difficult decisions or maybe it's an easy decision. The point is... how do we react, how do we respond to an ending - expected or not? Do we quickly rush on to the next (fill in the blank) or do we pause and consider what has happened and what should be our next step?
Being a person who believes in the power of contemplation, analysis would be my suggestion. But then, at some point, it is time to move on and the first consideration needs to be whether or not this is a permanent or temporary situation. The next is - how do you want to react? Many endings are the 'burnt bridge' kind of endings - no return. Some endings are memories, good and bad. Other endings lead to new beginning. And some endings really aren't endings, merely pauses to be picked up at a later time. So while endings are inevitable, the type of ending can differ.
With some endings you can prepare yourself and others you can't. While that is an obvious statement, we don't always respond to this 'logically'. Most of the time we want to control the ending, but we don't necessarily always have that option. And, rather than focus on what we can't do, it is far more gratifying to act on what we can do. If that sounds emotion-less, it isn't. Endings always have the accompanying emotional involvement that also needs to be resolved in some form of closure.
Regardless of how much I may be enjoying what was, when it is time to end and start a new, I am a bit delighted at the 'clean slate' of a new beginning. Now there are new challenges, new obstacles to overcome, new learnings to discover. When the ending was difficult or 'bad' then the new has even greater appeal. However, it is always important to discover what you have learned in the process from the previous situation. As I have said many times, endings are inevitable - what we do with them and how we react to them isn't.
...but, what do you think?
Being a person who believes in the power of contemplation, analysis would be my suggestion. But then, at some point, it is time to move on and the first consideration needs to be whether or not this is a permanent or temporary situation. The next is - how do you want to react? Many endings are the 'burnt bridge' kind of endings - no return. Some endings are memories, good and bad. Other endings lead to new beginning. And some endings really aren't endings, merely pauses to be picked up at a later time. So while endings are inevitable, the type of ending can differ.
With some endings you can prepare yourself and others you can't. While that is an obvious statement, we don't always respond to this 'logically'. Most of the time we want to control the ending, but we don't necessarily always have that option. And, rather than focus on what we can't do, it is far more gratifying to act on what we can do. If that sounds emotion-less, it isn't. Endings always have the accompanying emotional involvement that also needs to be resolved in some form of closure.
Regardless of how much I may be enjoying what was, when it is time to end and start a new, I am a bit delighted at the 'clean slate' of a new beginning. Now there are new challenges, new obstacles to overcome, new learnings to discover. When the ending was difficult or 'bad' then the new has even greater appeal. However, it is always important to discover what you have learned in the process from the previous situation. As I have said many times, endings are inevitable - what we do with them and how we react to them isn't.
...but, what do you think?
Saturday, April 13, 2013
A Fork in your road...
Is that what you are facing? A fork that you can now see that was only blurry and far off before. However, now you can see it clearly, you are close to the point where you'll need to decide which way to go. Actually, now you have a number of options to consider. If you are direction-less then I think you may be in a world of hurt. If you haven't decided who you are and what you want, on what basis do you make your decision?
Perhaps there's no fork... the road, path just seems to peter out. Possible? Now what? Do you decide you were on the wrong path to begin with? Turn around? Push through to see if the path starts again? Sit down? What? How you handle and resolve obstacles on your path is extremely important. To be able to discern between a pebble and a boulder may seem obvious, but it isn't always that simple when you are looking at it. What do you do with the obstacle? Actually, some obstacles can be turned into assets... is this possible?
Assuming that the road doesn't end and you are standing at the fork, how many options are available to you? 1? 2? More? Does the road you're on continue or end at the fork? With more than two options, which looks to be the 'best' for you? In more specific terms, perhaps the fork you are facing is in your work life. Perhaps it is in your personal life. Regardless, you have a decision to make - which road should you choose?
We all face forks in our roads and some come with an ending to the one we're on, while others include the current road in our options. In looking at the options available, is there enough information to make a reasoned decision? And, if not, on what basis can you make a choice? Never make a hasty decision... too often you will end up displeased. Never forget your personal goals, your character in making a decision. Forks are not necessarily negative, they can be the impetus to a new road for you.
...but, what do you think?
Perhaps there's no fork... the road, path just seems to peter out. Possible? Now what? Do you decide you were on the wrong path to begin with? Turn around? Push through to see if the path starts again? Sit down? What? How you handle and resolve obstacles on your path is extremely important. To be able to discern between a pebble and a boulder may seem obvious, but it isn't always that simple when you are looking at it. What do you do with the obstacle? Actually, some obstacles can be turned into assets... is this possible?
Assuming that the road doesn't end and you are standing at the fork, how many options are available to you? 1? 2? More? Does the road you're on continue or end at the fork? With more than two options, which looks to be the 'best' for you? In more specific terms, perhaps the fork you are facing is in your work life. Perhaps it is in your personal life. Regardless, you have a decision to make - which road should you choose?
We all face forks in our roads and some come with an ending to the one we're on, while others include the current road in our options. In looking at the options available, is there enough information to make a reasoned decision? And, if not, on what basis can you make a choice? Never make a hasty decision... too often you will end up displeased. Never forget your personal goals, your character in making a decision. Forks are not necessarily negative, they can be the impetus to a new road for you.
...but, what do you think?
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Know... Believe... Act
It's that simple and that difficult. And these 'components' are in order but they also are, individually, building stones that you can stand on. You start with knowing, but that's only the beginning. However, you can't move forward without this first step. Next comes believing - believing in what it is that you know, believing that it is true for you. The third step is the 'proof of the pudding' - acting. Without acting on what you know, what you believe there is no personal involvement or understanding.
I've always believed that you are responsible for what you know. It is totally impossible to un-know a know. You can deny it or you can affirm the knowledge you've gain but you can not say you don't know. So how do you handle what you know? First should be determining if what you have learned is truth or someone's interpretation of it. It is possible to know 'good' things and to know 'bad' things but how did you come to know? Is your source reliable? Have they 'proved' themselves over time? And have you taken the time to verify? Knowing is the first step but it is a critical one.
Next comes your belief in what is presented to you. Belief takes the knowing and makes it personal. Over time you may modify or revise or reject but the context is your belief in what it is that you thought you knew. Because people are human and change this can become dicey if your level of belief is not strong. Strong does not mean combative. It means that you can withstand the challenges to what you know, what you believe. Change and revision are not enemies to your belief, they only strengthen it.
I know I've previously emphasized these interconnected and interdependent yet individual issues we all face, and face on a number of levels. This is especially true when you are acting on issues of faith. Faith is not an 'out there' action, it is personal and it is typically related to how you define yourself. Example: I don't see how anyone can 'say' they are a Christian and others not see this in their behavior. You are who you say you are but is there a match between words and behavior? Don't just 'say' but 'BE'.
... but, what do you think?
I've always believed that you are responsible for what you know. It is totally impossible to un-know a know. You can deny it or you can affirm the knowledge you've gain but you can not say you don't know. So how do you handle what you know? First should be determining if what you have learned is truth or someone's interpretation of it. It is possible to know 'good' things and to know 'bad' things but how did you come to know? Is your source reliable? Have they 'proved' themselves over time? And have you taken the time to verify? Knowing is the first step but it is a critical one.
Next comes your belief in what is presented to you. Belief takes the knowing and makes it personal. Over time you may modify or revise or reject but the context is your belief in what it is that you thought you knew. Because people are human and change this can become dicey if your level of belief is not strong. Strong does not mean combative. It means that you can withstand the challenges to what you know, what you believe. Change and revision are not enemies to your belief, they only strengthen it.
I know I've previously emphasized these interconnected and interdependent yet individual issues we all face, and face on a number of levels. This is especially true when you are acting on issues of faith. Faith is not an 'out there' action, it is personal and it is typically related to how you define yourself. Example: I don't see how anyone can 'say' they are a Christian and others not see this in their behavior. You are who you say you are but is there a match between words and behavior? Don't just 'say' but 'BE'.
... but, what do you think?
Sunday, April 7, 2013
A Temporary Departure...
I have to. And everyone knows that when you have to.... you have to. There has been a kind of burning, intellectually, in a new blogging direction. It's been stewing and simmering for about 2 months and I'm going to have to follow to see where it might lead.
No. No. NO! I am not abandoning this blog, I still have a great deal that I want to share about detours and trails and other such components of journey-ing. But until I get "Verse By Verse" up and running, the regularity of posts may diminish a bit. But only temporarily...
I still will be blogging at least a couple of times a week for the next 2 months and then will get back on an every other day or every 3rd day schedule. Once I launch "VBV" I'll let you know. Till then, do check back.
I'm still here...
No. No. NO! I am not abandoning this blog, I still have a great deal that I want to share about detours and trails and other such components of journey-ing. But until I get "Verse By Verse" up and running, the regularity of posts may diminish a bit. But only temporarily...
I still will be blogging at least a couple of times a week for the next 2 months and then will get back on an every other day or every 3rd day schedule. Once I launch "VBV" I'll let you know. Till then, do check back.
I'm still here...
Friday, April 5, 2013
Shaped, formed
When I was in undergrad school I 'happened' across a phrase that's stuck with me throughout my life's journey. I have no idea who first said it, but it's continuing relevance and accuracy impressed me. "We are shaped by those who love us... and those who refuse to love us." Yes? And don't tell me that is an obvious statement. It isn't. I suppose an argument could be made that the latter people have the greatest or longest lasting impact. It depends.
When you look at your life's journey, what is obvious to you regarding people who do and don't love you? How did you react to both types? Did you try and change the opinion of those who weren't your fan? Did you look at your behavior and words to see if you provided a mix message or weren't true to your own beliefs? Did you care? Regardless, you did have some response to both types of people.
I suspect that the most important point is to see how their reaction to you and your reaction to that shaped and formed you. How do you respond to rejection? Remember that 'fair' doesn't make any difference. It's inevitable that you will encounter rejection and sometimes it comes almost in a blindsided fashion from someone you had previously consider as a close friend. It is in those times, sometimes in the midst of confusion about why they are now rejecting you, and how you will 'handle' it that is displayed in your actions and forms a part of your character - that shapes and forms you.
For me, the fascinating part is that we shape and form ourselves as well. We do this through our attitude and we do this in our behavior. We are the actor in our own lives but we also are the director. Every day there are people and events who impact and interrelate with us. It is our decision about how we react and what we do. This all affirms who we are and what we do, or it causes us to refine one or both, or it causes us to change and replace. Do you see when and where you were shaped and what caused it?
... what do you think?
When you look at your life's journey, what is obvious to you regarding people who do and don't love you? How did you react to both types? Did you try and change the opinion of those who weren't your fan? Did you look at your behavior and words to see if you provided a mix message or weren't true to your own beliefs? Did you care? Regardless, you did have some response to both types of people.
I suspect that the most important point is to see how their reaction to you and your reaction to that shaped and formed you. How do you respond to rejection? Remember that 'fair' doesn't make any difference. It's inevitable that you will encounter rejection and sometimes it comes almost in a blindsided fashion from someone you had previously consider as a close friend. It is in those times, sometimes in the midst of confusion about why they are now rejecting you, and how you will 'handle' it that is displayed in your actions and forms a part of your character - that shapes and forms you.
For me, the fascinating part is that we shape and form ourselves as well. We do this through our attitude and we do this in our behavior. We are the actor in our own lives but we also are the director. Every day there are people and events who impact and interrelate with us. It is our decision about how we react and what we do. This all affirms who we are and what we do, or it causes us to refine one or both, or it causes us to change and replace. Do you see when and where you were shaped and what caused it?
... what do you think?
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Daily walk
In your daily walk, how much of your time, consciously, is spent in talking with the Lord? Do you toss Him a prayer at the start of your day and then try to remember at night to speak to Him? Or is He so real to you that you involve Him in the moment-by-moments of your life? It is, and it always has been, about relationship. Without an intimate relationship (which, by the way, is something the Lord seeks to engage in with us) you are handcuffing yourself and eliminating the strongest 'asset' you have.
Let me ask the same question slightly differently. Since the time you accepted Jesus as Lord how has your relationship changed/increased/improved? When you look at your communication with the Lord over the last few days and weeks, how would you characterize it? Only prayer? More extensive communication, and if so, what are the topics? Does listening ever occur? Communication implies two-way and involves talking and listening... Do you hear Him in His word? Do you see Him in His creation?
So, in your day... how do you interrelate? How do you and the Lord come together in the day? Granted He's always there but do you invite Him to participate? He is so accessible and desires mutual involvement - I know that sounds fantastic, but it is true. And the fascinating thing is that as you begin to 'see' Him and relate to Him moment-by-moment, you grow in your relationship. I've always been convinced that relationships don't grow in a vacuum. Unless there is interaction the relationship becomes starved and can die, minimally it does atrophy.
If you are like most people, your day is full, your plate is overflowing. All the more need to have someone who understands and can help you in and through your day... and will take the time to be with you and to talk to you in ways you can hear. Regardless of how many friends and family you have, they have full lives too and even though they may like to help, they may not be able to. However, there is One who has been with you from your beginning and will always be with you. The Lord. He has forgiven you, He knows what's best for you, and He loves you. That trifecta is available for you. Besides... it's nice to have company to talk with during the walk.
...but, what do you believe?
Let me ask the same question slightly differently. Since the time you accepted Jesus as Lord how has your relationship changed/increased/improved? When you look at your communication with the Lord over the last few days and weeks, how would you characterize it? Only prayer? More extensive communication, and if so, what are the topics? Does listening ever occur? Communication implies two-way and involves talking and listening... Do you hear Him in His word? Do you see Him in His creation?
So, in your day... how do you interrelate? How do you and the Lord come together in the day? Granted He's always there but do you invite Him to participate? He is so accessible and desires mutual involvement - I know that sounds fantastic, but it is true. And the fascinating thing is that as you begin to 'see' Him and relate to Him moment-by-moment, you grow in your relationship. I've always been convinced that relationships don't grow in a vacuum. Unless there is interaction the relationship becomes starved and can die, minimally it does atrophy.
If you are like most people, your day is full, your plate is overflowing. All the more need to have someone who understands and can help you in and through your day... and will take the time to be with you and to talk to you in ways you can hear. Regardless of how many friends and family you have, they have full lives too and even though they may like to help, they may not be able to. However, there is One who has been with you from your beginning and will always be with you. The Lord. He has forgiven you, He knows what's best for you, and He loves you. That trifecta is available for you. Besides... it's nice to have company to talk with during the walk.
...but, what do you believe?
Monday, April 1, 2013
Name
I've learned that there's more to a name than merely a name. For example, at the Blue Letter Bible site, they say: "In the Old Testament times, a name was not only identification, but an identity
as well. Many times a special meaning was attached to the name. Names had, among
other purposes, an explanatory purpose..." Which led me to... have you ever looked up the meaning of your name? And... does it describe you?
While completing that task is far from mandatory, it is interesting. The question that emerges is... since you didn't name yourself, that it was by your parents, have you ever talked with them about what made them choose your name? Perhaps you were named after an ancestor, or maybe it was the current fad or a 'celebrity' name. Maybe you were named after a famous person or maybe you were named after one of your parents. Regardless, do you believe your name 'fits' you? Do you 'like' your name?
Today, if you are interested, all you need do is to 'bing' or 'google' on a site developed to give you the meaning of names... determined by 'experts'. You can check along many dimensions such as meaning, national origin (on one site for the letter 'A' alone there were 66 pages of names). However this approach does have its limitations since my name is listed 3 times with 3 different national origins. Still, it does provide us with some information. Your name does mean something... even if only to distinguish you from others. Even people with the same first name typically have a middle or last name that sets them apart.
Let me give a personal example: while 'Caroline' is a very nice name - it just isn't mine and I tend to, somewhat tersely, correct anyone who refers to me by that pronunciation. Why? 1- it's not my name and, equally important, 2- I got teased as a child by someone who was attempting to bully me and used that name. Silly? Unimportant? Very possibly. While others may not claim such a intense reaction to their name... still, it is important. Sooo... is your name your identity? When others mention your name is there a match between how they are saying and reacting to your name and who you know yourself to be? Is it important to you?
...but, what do you think?
While completing that task is far from mandatory, it is interesting. The question that emerges is... since you didn't name yourself, that it was by your parents, have you ever talked with them about what made them choose your name? Perhaps you were named after an ancestor, or maybe it was the current fad or a 'celebrity' name. Maybe you were named after a famous person or maybe you were named after one of your parents. Regardless, do you believe your name 'fits' you? Do you 'like' your name?
Today, if you are interested, all you need do is to 'bing' or 'google' on a site developed to give you the meaning of names... determined by 'experts'. You can check along many dimensions such as meaning, national origin (on one site for the letter 'A' alone there were 66 pages of names). However this approach does have its limitations since my name is listed 3 times with 3 different national origins. Still, it does provide us with some information. Your name does mean something... even if only to distinguish you from others. Even people with the same first name typically have a middle or last name that sets them apart.
Let me give a personal example: while 'Caroline' is a very nice name - it just isn't mine and I tend to, somewhat tersely, correct anyone who refers to me by that pronunciation. Why? 1- it's not my name and, equally important, 2- I got teased as a child by someone who was attempting to bully me and used that name. Silly? Unimportant? Very possibly. While others may not claim such a intense reaction to their name... still, it is important. Sooo... is your name your identity? When others mention your name is there a match between how they are saying and reacting to your name and who you know yourself to be? Is it important to you?
...but, what do you think?
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