Multi-tasking

   Do you engage in this activity? Do you enjoy multi-tasking? Are you good at it? How do you use this ability to your greatest advantage? Is this approach always good, in all situations, at all times? The last multi-layered question was a give away... multi-tasking is a great ability, but it isn't good in and at all times. I would make the argument that there are people who are really good with this talent and also know when to employ it and when not to; just as there are those who really are terrible at multi-tasking. I believe that the problem is more that they don't know when, where, how, and with whom to use it. Or they decide that this lesson is not an ability they're interested in acquiring.

   While I consider myself rather adept at multi-tasking I also don't use it as my primary mode of behavior. When my attention is multi rather than focused then I find that I have to rely on... others, or that the 'project' is now in a mode that needs little tweaking, or that the project has already begun its 'life', etc. My point is that when you do multi-tasking no one 'aspect' can absorb all your attention and that can become a problem. 

  Actually, I think the most fun is in the prep stage and this may be the best use of this ability. Getting from point A to point B often requires all your multi-tasking skills. To effectively and efficiently go forward in accomplishing your goal. The other prep involves your critical thinking and options planning skills - example, if Plan A doesn't work is there a seemless way to proceed and utilize Plan B? 

  Obviously, multi-tasking has its strengths and weaknesses but we can employ those skills to our advantage. But to indiscriminately use this style as our default behavior is rarely effective. I tend to view multi-tasking as my 'big picture' style. However, it is sheer folly to use this style when dealing with people. People very rarely react and respond according to 'our' script. Then again... that's what makes life so 'interesting'.

Giving

  Have you thought about what it is that you give? We all give, every day, but the question is our 'what'. Are you the builder upper giver? Perhaps you dispense love or maybe it's hope. Maybe you are an encourager, strengthening those who may be attempting something entirely new to them and they are hesitant, unsure. Perhaps you are the tearer downer giver. You dispense words of discouragement or of defeat even before the other person ever begins. Maybe you simply project a critical spirit.


  Those two examples are extreme types on either end of a continuum and most of us fall somewhere in between. But do you see your typical giving style? Some people display their giving with words, some with a look, some with deafening silence; but whether requested or not, however we express we all do respond. But what message do we want to project? How do we want the other person to feel? Taking this thought a step further, combine giving with thanks and you have a potent force.


  Thanksgiving is important, a time for us to reflect and remember all the blessings we have received. What does 'thankful' mean for/to you? Is it a phrase tossed out, a kind of 'gee thanks' or is it more? Unfortunately, thanks, thanksgiving, thankful are words that everyone 'knows' - but do we? Do you take the time to acknowledge your thankfulness when it happens or do you save up your thanking for once a year? Silly question? Not necessarily. In my world of definitions thankful is the attitude and the other two words are the actions that identify the attitude. I tend to think that most of us don’t do a very good job of expressing... in a timely fashion. Thankfulness is as much a lifestyle as it is a mindset. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)  Some people know how to be grateful; some know that the expression is based in their beliefs and attitudes.

  Giving and Thanksgiving are attitudes, behaviors-expressions, mindsets and they are cultivated. Many times the thankful feeling is unexpected and you simply have to share - the awareness of what has occurred is occasion for expression. Whatever the situation, the fact remains that thanks, thanksgiving, thankfulness has to be expressed. And often in the sharing, this becomes cause for others' rejoicing with and for you. It has a ripple effect. 

Send me!

  Can you say 'send me' and mean it? And do if you do say it, is it based in faith and confidence? Isaiah 6:8 was a response given to the Father's question,
     
     "I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: 'Whom shall I send, And who will
     go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me.'"

  There wasn't the question of is this me or is it the Lord. There wasn't a question of whether 'I' was the best choice or the one with the greatest potential for success. There was the simple response of... Here am I. I believe that there was the implicit statement that if 'I' is not the best choice, then you wouldn't be chosen. There was also the under girding belief that whatever equipping was necessary would be present at the point of need. Two statements of faith.

  What would it take for you to respond with...send me? Or do you only want a 'comfortable' Christianity? Not sure that 'comfortable' is any more appropriate than politically correct - both of those are opposite of what Christianity stands for. Have you ever considered that if you waited till all the ducks were in a row and you had everything you needed for success that this would be defined as 'yours' and not the opportunity for you to be a conduit for the Father's power manifested through you?

  John 4:35 tells us that we are, "...to lift up our eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!"  What about you? Can/are you able to respond with a faith declaration? Are you equally ready to go to your family as you are to the farthest reaches of the world? Are you a candidate for the Lord to 'send you' wherever that may mean? Or is your response more of - with reservation? 'Send me' is really the acceptance of a partnership with the Lord to accomplish His goals of the Great Commission - you get the opportunity to be a party to something that goes beyond the norm.

Fair

  I've always appreciated the parable about the man who hired workers at the start of the day and continued throughout the day. At the close of the day, when he was paying the workers, they all received the same wage - which all had agreed to prior to starting work. Those who had worked all day complained that it wasn't 'fair' because they had worked all day and the last group had worked less. The response (and explanation): Matthew 20: 1-16

     "Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for 
      a denarius? Take what is yours and go... Is it not lawful for me to do 
      what I wish with my own things?"

However, it is the end of these verses that caused me pause. "So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." What is Jesus telling us in these verses? Perhaps it's related to Paul's teaching in Philippians beginning with 2:12

     "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God
      who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do 
      all things without complaining and disputing..."

  Fair is one of those words that we all used, typically when things don't go our way. According to Webster, 'fair' is: "what is thought to be right or acceptable,
treating people in a way that does not favor some over others, marked by impartiality and honesty, free from self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism." Is this your definition? More important - does this describe how you interact with others? Does working out our salvation require us to act 'fair' toward others? Is this the embodiment of our behavior?

    There are many lessons to be learned from this scripture and Jesus' teaching. I'm only looking at one very small component - fair. But I believe it is how we respond when we sense the situation isn't fair that tells our story. We won't always be treated fairly, but this does not give us license to respond in like manner. Regardless of the situation, we are required, I believe, to behave fairly toward others. Truly, we are empowered to act this way since most of us would default to a different reaction. However, we have to choose to be what the Lord designs us to be.

Phrase catcher

  I'm a phrase catcher. A phrase catcher is one who, when they are reading all of a sudden a phrase leaps, literally, off the page. For me, whatever I'm reading sends me off on another rabbit trail adventure. Example: I was reading a post by Jacqueline Winspear (who, if you haven't discovered her writing you really should - she a word painter. She paints wonderful pictures with words. As an extended aside - her books take place during WWI and through her writing she transports the reader back into that time.) Anyway... she was writing in "The Naked Truth", a blog that is written by a group of extremely talented writers (published). The phrase - "...what a bittersweet joy memory can be." Is that not terrific!

  Not certain what picture this phrase paints for you, but for me I'm immediately transported to another time and place - rarely the same time/place each instance. And again, for me, there always seems to be a teaching associated with the memory. I've learned to appreciate these opportunities, because they are object learning times to make discoveries about myself and how I interact with the world I live in.

  In terms of this particular phrase it was the 'bittersweet joy' that captured my attention. Memories do provide us with these times but it's how we react to them that gives us a pulse check on our growth. Example: we can berate ourselves on lost opportunities or we can become more sensitive to what is happening and more intentional. Bittersweet occurs in our acceptance that now is not then and we are meant to grow as a result of our learnings. But bittersweet can also occur in those nostalgic memories that we can only savor.

  Do you become captured by phrases? Do they send you on your rabbit trails of new discoveries about yourself, who you are becoming, the people in your world, relationships, plans, goals, etc.? They can provide you with new ways of thinking about things - out of the box as well as in the box. They may lead you into uncharted areas... or maybe just provide a momentary diversion.

Anger...

  What's its source... do you know? Is it guilt-reaction, over something you did or didn't do? Is it righteous indignation? Is it 'justified'? What do you want to happen as the result of your expression of anger? Is the anger a seething? A slow burn that is eventually expressed in an outburst? Or... is for affect? Or is that far too much forethought, which rarely accompanies an outburst of anger? 

  We all get angry at times and I suspect we know how we express our frustration and anger. Obviously, I've also discovered that the same expression is not appropriate for all situations. However, I also believe that the basis of the anger needs to be considered. I gave a hint when I used the word 'frustration'. Sometimes that is the cause/foundation for our anger. The emotions are pent up and explode at the first opportunity. My point is that anger always has a source and is always expressed. 

  I tend to take the position that anger, in and of itself, is not necessarily 'bad'. If you remember scripture - God got angry, Jesus got angry and tossed the money changers out of the temple. Which led me to the logical thought progression that anger isn't necessarily destructive but it's how we express it that defines what our anger is. Do we express it toward others? And, is the person we express our anger to the true object? Does it become physical? Do we want to resolve the issue that is separating us? 

  We will get angry. Anger isn't the problem. Our expression is. But it is also our decision concerning how to express and use this anger. Is it a motivation that will lead to positive outcomes? Is it only an opportunity to express those emotions we are feeling? And yes, I know we can't always be logical and reasoned when it comes to expressing anger. But even after an inappropriate expression, what do we want to happen next? Do you 'use' your anger for potentially positive results? Or... does the anger use you?

Siege mentality

  Is that not a great phrase, or what! Unfortunately, I can't take credit for it... I read it on a post by Jacqueline Winspear. But the phrase is so... so, spot on. I don't remember the context for the phrase but I do know the feelings that arise when you are in a place of feeling you are being besieged from all sides. There is no escape. And no one will take the time to listen to what you are trying to say. This ever happen to you? 

  Actually the most dangerous and insidious condition is the 'mentality' part. We probably will never be able to completely and consistently avoid siege times but we need to not assume the mentality part of this condition. When we experience an overwhelmed time our brains go into a lock down preservation as protection. While this is an oft appreciated defense, we can't take up residence there for long. We have to emerge to 'conquer' the siege. Melodramatic. No, not really. There are times that we have to retreat in order to fight another day. But the point is to prepare for that 'another day'. If we don't then we simply give up and give in and that is rarely satisfying and may not be necessary.

  The point is ... do you know what you do when confronted with these times. How, not just when, do you take the time to regroup and resupply that which you need to be victorious, or minimally to take a stand? The first thing you need do is to take charge of the 'mentality' part which means facing the feelings because if you don't they will rise up, typically at the wrong time. It is your mind, you are to renew it, so it is your responsibility... and privilege. And yes, this is throwing the 'ball back into your court'. But your life IS yours. What do you want and need to do?

  Have you considered that you are the determiner in this? You really are. No one can force you to face whatever is besieging you. No one can force you to develop strategies that will work as a template for what you can and will do both now and in the future. Sure you can lie down and accept the siege but are you really only an ineffective coward? Of course not. Never forget that "No weapon formed against you will prosper." (Isaiah 54:17) And that you are, "...more than a conqueror through Christ who strengthens you." (Romans 8:37) I could add other scriptures, but these two should provide you the strength to stand. 

... and Peter

  Two words in Mark 16:7. But such powerful words. This was spoken by the angel(s) at the tomb after the crucifixion and burial, but they give all of us hope. Peter is singled out by the angel to be told the glorious news that Jesus had overcome the last enemy - death. Remember that Peter had denied Jesus, not just once but three times. Can you even imagine how he must have felt? The declaration by Peter that Jesus said He would build His church on denied The Son of God! (Just for clarification - it was not the man Peter, but his confession of Who Jesus was that the church is built on.)

  And now, Jesus was dead. And Peter had no way of seeking forgiveness from Him. He was a doomed and lost man. Yet...  What is this report that the women are bringing to the disciples? Jesus isn't dead?! Is it possible that what He said really IS true? And we all know the 'rest of the story'. All that Jesus told the disciples is true. But what about Peter? 

  Peter has always been one of my favorite people because he was so very human. He was a passionate person who readily displayed this. It was he who made the first proclamation of who Jesus was. He cut off the ear of the High Priest's servant when Jesus was arrested. He was one of the three inner circle disciples. He was willing to go back out to fish based on Jesus' word though he didn't believe there would be success. And those are only some of the behaviors that he displayed. But this can give us all hope.

  Peter, though making rash judgments passionately believed in Jesus even though he did deny Him. Have you ever experienced this apparently contradictory and dichotomous behavior in yourself? I have. And then I remember Paul's words of frustration when he states that he doesn't do what he wants to do but does those things he doesn't want. This really describes all of us. Christians want to be good examples and faithful witnesses. But we don't always do this. Both Peter and Paul's behaviors show us that though we slip or fall, we can choose to get back up and become that effective ambassador for God. 

The weightier matters

     "...the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith..."  

This admonition by Jesus was given to the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:23). It's a warning to look at what we are valuing and what needs valuing. It also is a word to help us look at what we actually do and not just say. We all need to look at our lives and actions to discover if we are focusing on those weightier matters. And, if not, exactly what are we doing? What is more important than justice, mercy, and faith?

  I'm one of those who believes we are living in the last days. All you have to do is to look around you to see and hear the violence that impacts everyone... daily. Leadership seems little concerned except for their own comfort. 

     "But know this that in the last days perilous times will come: For men 
      will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, 
      blasphemers ... unloving, brutal, despisers of good, ..." (2 Timothy 3: 1-4)

While I haven't listed all of the 'characteristics' from those verses, the ones I've indicated give a rather detailed description and we can see them on display. However, it is verse 5  that puts a period on the times - "...having a form of godliness but denying its power." To me this speaks of arrogance and a self-blindness that is truly alarming. These people may not realize what they are asking from others and they certainly exempt themselves and their friends, but blind obedience should never be our response.

  What we all need to focus on, regardless of the times and situations, are the weightier matters. We need to act with justice and mercy in faith. Not compromise. Not truth denying. All of us who count ourselves as Christians need to be circumspect - we can't point fingers and say that they (Christian and non) aren't doing it so that gives us license not to (fill in the blank). This won't work, this is no excuse. And yes, we all stumble at times. But I also believe that the more often we do purpose to be and act with justice, mercy, and faith; the more this will become an ingrained foundation in us.

Goodie two shoes

   Not sure what they call it today, but that comment, when I was growing up, meant someone who was a 'brown-noser', who always behaved 'perfectly' when in the presence of adults. However, the 'in front of' didn't always mesh with the 'behind of'. They also tended to be tattle-tale types. These were people to avoid or you may face the possibility that you may be the butt of their actions. I don't know what this behavior may be called now but the point was that these 'types' weren't trust worthy. Then again... not sure peer approval is their purpose or goal.

  One would need to look at the motivation behind this behavior and the results that accompany it. While attributing motive to someone else can be incorrect, their behavior over time does give you some definite information. Also another clue would be if the actions focus negative attention or blame on an innocent person. These clues may be misinterpreted but if it speaks to a pattern of behavior over time, then this would give credence to being alert around this person.   

  One question is: Is there something inherently 'wrong' with being tagged as a goodie two shoes? Possibly not, except for the reputation that accompanies this behavior. Or if this is for show and isn't an integral part of who you are. If you are a person who seeks to be kind, wants the best for all, acts for the benefit of all; then this person acts this way in all situations and with all people equally. If it's a 'put on' then there is little congruence between the public and private person.

  Bottom line is your experience in these types of situations, with these types of people. If you've been the unfortunate focus of such a person then the memory will probably alert you to any potential problem. My bias would be that the false goodies should be handled with a great deal of suspicion, preferably from a great distance. However, there are the rare individuals who really DO want the best for everyone and act on this. They can be misguided and/or wrong but they aren't malicious and don't focus the 'blame' onto others.