Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Victorious Failure
Everyone wants to succeed. I mean think about it. Everyone wants to:
-Throw/Catch the winning touchdown
-Star in the biggest blockbuster ever
-Win a famous award
-Write & perform the greatest song ever
-Capture the heart of the most beautiful person ever...and make everyone else jealous
-Win the title
-Write the next NY Times Bestseller
-Or whatever else you're into, you want to be recognized as the best.
And I personally don't think anything is wrong with that. I love it. I hope that whatever you do, you strive to be the best and give it all you can with all your heart and never quit or give up. Now, keep in mind, the only way to be the best is to recognize what is better than you, then discover how and allow that to challenge and grow you. In brief, the best way to be the greatest is to be the most observant when it comes to your worst.
But first you must admit and accept that you are not the best. It would probably help you to know that you're more than likely not in the Top 10 either! As a matter of fact, the greatest way to improve is to stress your faults and weaknesses with the mindset of turning them into your strengths.
Winston Churchill once said, "Success is moving from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm." What I love about this statement is that achievement is never mentioned or glorified. He talks about a repetitive failure.
Here's another one for you: Mister Rogers writes in his memoirs that when he was starting out as a songwriter that he thought he had some great songs. As a matter of fact, he had about 10 or 12 great songs that he believed would be AWESOME for children's listening and entertainment. He writes that he travelled to New York to try and find an audience with someone, ANYONE, who would listen to and produce his songs. While he was in the Big Apple, he actually met and visited with a great singer/songwriter in the area of children's entertainment who had been highly successful in that profession. Of course, Mr. Rogers listened to the wisdom and tales of experience the man had to offer. After a while, Mr. Rogers asked the man if he would give a listen to good ol' Fred's songs. The successful singer/songwriter said, "Sure thing! How many you got?" Mr. Rogers writes that he was very proud when he replied, "About 10 or 12." The veteran writer sympathetically smiled. Mr. Rogers writes that instantly he recognized that it wasn't a good sign. The voice of experience then told him that in order to be great, he needed to have about one-to-two HUNDRED songs before he could consider himself a serious singer/songwriter. While Mr. Rogers was floored and walked away discouraged, he recognized the truth in what the successful man said and recognized his own shortcomings (and embarrassment) of not being prepared to show true dedication to his craft. I believe at some point, Mr. Rogers figured it out and became somewhat successful...but not until he recognized his own failures.
Everyone wants to succeed, but not everyone wants to endure the humiliation of failure. You've heard the stats: the homerun King, Babe Ruth, is also the strikeout king. The King of Touchdown passes (Brett Favre) also leads the NFL Record books with the most number of interceptions thrown. The list goes on and on: Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Ludwig von Beethoven...all failures, time and time again, who refused to let failure define them, but to shape them.
Now think about this: What if your frequent failure continues because God is trying to show you something? What if God WANTS you to fail? What if the greatest thing you could do for Him at this time in your life...is to FAIL?!? I know, I know -- I can hear you now: "God loves me and wants to see me succeed in all I do blah blah blah, because I blah blah blah..." Whatever. Now think about this: God wants you to bring the best of you to the table. He asks for your commitment, dedication, obedience, love...but where does He say anything about guaranteeing success, or demands you to only show up when you have your stuff together and bring the most success you can accomplish?
No where.
Not once.
Not at all.
He asks for your commitment to Him, not your trophies. He calls for obedience, not awards. He desires your heart...not the worldly definition of your interpretation of success. Look, God doesn't need your skill or success. As a matter of fact, He doesn't need you at all. He gives you the opportunity to be a part of His story, His world, His success! Look in Scripture, apart from Jesus, every person in Scripture is typically there for their FAILURES more than their successes. Call 'em out: David, Abraham, Jacob, Peter, Paul, Jonah, Noah, Samson, Moses...the list goes on and on. Perhaps they're in Scripture to show and teach us of God's GRACE, not man's GREATS. Sure, these guys tasted what could be considered 'success,' but not until God showed up.
So embrace your failures. Accept your shortcomings. Recognize that others are better than you. Understand there's more for you to know and ways to improve. Expect failure!! You know what, EMBRACE failure!! See it as God's invitation and opportunity to bring success into your little world. Claim victory in the areas that you suck at. Allow God to be God, the success, the victory, the completion, the fullness, the right-maker, the problem-solver, and the embodiment of the only victory you can taste. See your failures as the next big way God wants to show up in your life.
Perhaps when we grasp and desire that, we might get one step closer to getting it right.
-Throw/Catch the winning touchdown
-Star in the biggest blockbuster ever
-Win a famous award
-Write & perform the greatest song ever
-Capture the heart of the most beautiful person ever...and make everyone else jealous
-Win the title
-Write the next NY Times Bestseller
-Or whatever else you're into, you want to be recognized as the best.
And I personally don't think anything is wrong with that. I love it. I hope that whatever you do, you strive to be the best and give it all you can with all your heart and never quit or give up. Now, keep in mind, the only way to be the best is to recognize what is better than you, then discover how and allow that to challenge and grow you. In brief, the best way to be the greatest is to be the most observant when it comes to your worst.
But first you must admit and accept that you are not the best. It would probably help you to know that you're more than likely not in the Top 10 either! As a matter of fact, the greatest way to improve is to stress your faults and weaknesses with the mindset of turning them into your strengths.
Winston Churchill once said, "Success is moving from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm." What I love about this statement is that achievement is never mentioned or glorified. He talks about a repetitive failure.
Here's another one for you: Mister Rogers writes in his memoirs that when he was starting out as a songwriter that he thought he had some great songs. As a matter of fact, he had about 10 or 12 great songs that he believed would be AWESOME for children's listening and entertainment. He writes that he travelled to New York to try and find an audience with someone, ANYONE, who would listen to and produce his songs. While he was in the Big Apple, he actually met and visited with a great singer/songwriter in the area of children's entertainment who had been highly successful in that profession. Of course, Mr. Rogers listened to the wisdom and tales of experience the man had to offer. After a while, Mr. Rogers asked the man if he would give a listen to good ol' Fred's songs. The successful singer/songwriter said, "Sure thing! How many you got?" Mr. Rogers writes that he was very proud when he replied, "About 10 or 12." The veteran writer sympathetically smiled. Mr. Rogers writes that instantly he recognized that it wasn't a good sign. The voice of experience then told him that in order to be great, he needed to have about one-to-two HUNDRED songs before he could consider himself a serious singer/songwriter. While Mr. Rogers was floored and walked away discouraged, he recognized the truth in what the successful man said and recognized his own shortcomings (and embarrassment) of not being prepared to show true dedication to his craft. I believe at some point, Mr. Rogers figured it out and became somewhat successful...but not until he recognized his own failures.
Everyone wants to succeed, but not everyone wants to endure the humiliation of failure. You've heard the stats: the homerun King, Babe Ruth, is also the strikeout king. The King of Touchdown passes (Brett Favre) also leads the NFL Record books with the most number of interceptions thrown. The list goes on and on: Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Ludwig von Beethoven...all failures, time and time again, who refused to let failure define them, but to shape them.
Now think about this: What if your frequent failure continues because God is trying to show you something? What if God WANTS you to fail? What if the greatest thing you could do for Him at this time in your life...is to FAIL?!? I know, I know -- I can hear you now: "God loves me and wants to see me succeed in all I do blah blah blah, because I blah blah blah..." Whatever. Now think about this: God wants you to bring the best of you to the table. He asks for your commitment, dedication, obedience, love...but where does He say anything about guaranteeing success, or demands you to only show up when you have your stuff together and bring the most success you can accomplish?
No where.
Not once.
Not at all.
He asks for your commitment to Him, not your trophies. He calls for obedience, not awards. He desires your heart...not the worldly definition of your interpretation of success. Look, God doesn't need your skill or success. As a matter of fact, He doesn't need you at all. He gives you the opportunity to be a part of His story, His world, His success! Look in Scripture, apart from Jesus, every person in Scripture is typically there for their FAILURES more than their successes. Call 'em out: David, Abraham, Jacob, Peter, Paul, Jonah, Noah, Samson, Moses...the list goes on and on. Perhaps they're in Scripture to show and teach us of God's GRACE, not man's GREATS. Sure, these guys tasted what could be considered 'success,' but not until God showed up.
So embrace your failures. Accept your shortcomings. Recognize that others are better than you. Understand there's more for you to know and ways to improve. Expect failure!! You know what, EMBRACE failure!! See it as God's invitation and opportunity to bring success into your little world. Claim victory in the areas that you suck at. Allow God to be God, the success, the victory, the completion, the fullness, the right-maker, the problem-solver, and the embodiment of the only victory you can taste. See your failures as the next big way God wants to show up in your life.
Perhaps when we grasp and desire that, we might get one step closer to getting it right.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Let's Face(book) the Facts
Two things that jump out at me dealing with teenagers and the first week of school as evidenced by Facebook:
1) Suddenly, it is of the utmost importance to make Facebook nation painfully aware of your Single relationship status, mainly because with the first week of school I've noticed about 275639113 "Relationship Status Updates" that so-and-so is now in a relationship with somebody new. And this will change again by the NEXT Friday (I'm looking at you, Jr. High). I never knew summer was so lonely...
2) I have already gotten about as many "invites" from random students to join their yearbook cookie bake sale sports team in farmville over facebook. Seriously? Know this: Facebook IS available during summer, and no, we're still not interested in building a farm next to yours. Good luck with the rain season...
1) Suddenly, it is of the utmost importance to make Facebook nation painfully aware of your Single relationship status, mainly because with the first week of school I've noticed about 275639113 "Relationship Status Updates" that so-and-so is now in a relationship with somebody new. And this will change again by the NEXT Friday (I'm looking at you, Jr. High). I never knew summer was so lonely...
2) I have already gotten about as many "invites" from random students to join their yearbook cookie bake sale sports team in farmville over facebook. Seriously? Know this: Facebook IS available during summer, and no, we're still not interested in building a farm next to yours. Good luck with the rain season...
Monday, August 9, 2010
"Are we...dipping skinny?"
I love that commercial...
Integrity is an important thing, but to quote a more infamous band who will be playing the HOB without my presence, "you don't know whatcha got 'til it's gone."
Over and over in Seminary we were told to always be aware of "the appearance of evil." In other words, it's not just stay away from bad decisions, but stay away from scenarios that might even RESEMBLE bad decisions. Don't do anything that might lead 'observers' to assume you're compromising Christ in your life.
I'm not the best at it, but it's a consistent thought in my mind. I try to be aware of my integrity, but often times it's when I really botch it up that I'm most painfully aware of it...or lack of it. What compromises integrity? How about lying, cheating, stealing, doing things to sacrifice trust, broken promises, two-faced living, being fake, going back on your word...you get the idea. Like I said, I fall short often...more often than I like to admit, I suppose.
But what happens when me (flawed human being who has ridiculously sacrificed integrity for fun or personal gain on more than one occasion) recognizes a lack of or broken integrity in another's life?? It's not like I have it all together, but to see a brother or sister in Christ who is willingly, consistently, and happily sacrificing and compromising integrity for the sake of pride and personal gain really bothers me to the point of intervention. I want to say something...but is it my place--one who has done it and is guilty of it regularly, but not proud of it??
Disgusting. How can I help someone else see something in their life that I don't enjoy seeing in mine without sacrificing integrity, yet living it out at the same time?
I am flawed.
And I need your help.
Help me out if you have any ideas.
I suppose I need to just lay myself bare at the Feet of those I am unworthy to wash. Lay bare.
So I guess I just need to go out there and try...dipping skinny.
I am so lame.
Integrity is an important thing, but to quote a more infamous band who will be playing the HOB without my presence, "you don't know whatcha got 'til it's gone."
Over and over in Seminary we were told to always be aware of "the appearance of evil." In other words, it's not just stay away from bad decisions, but stay away from scenarios that might even RESEMBLE bad decisions. Don't do anything that might lead 'observers' to assume you're compromising Christ in your life.
I'm not the best at it, but it's a consistent thought in my mind. I try to be aware of my integrity, but often times it's when I really botch it up that I'm most painfully aware of it...or lack of it. What compromises integrity? How about lying, cheating, stealing, doing things to sacrifice trust, broken promises, two-faced living, being fake, going back on your word...you get the idea. Like I said, I fall short often...more often than I like to admit, I suppose.
But what happens when me (flawed human being who has ridiculously sacrificed integrity for fun or personal gain on more than one occasion) recognizes a lack of or broken integrity in another's life?? It's not like I have it all together, but to see a brother or sister in Christ who is willingly, consistently, and happily sacrificing and compromising integrity for the sake of pride and personal gain really bothers me to the point of intervention. I want to say something...but is it my place--one who has done it and is guilty of it regularly, but not proud of it??
Disgusting. How can I help someone else see something in their life that I don't enjoy seeing in mine without sacrificing integrity, yet living it out at the same time?
I am flawed.
And I need your help.
Help me out if you have any ideas.
I suppose I need to just lay myself bare at the Feet of those I am unworthy to wash. Lay bare.
So I guess I just need to go out there and try...dipping skinny.
I am so lame.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Summers, Age, and a farewell to a certain Mr. Marsten...
Just stopping by for quick howdy...
I cannot believe that we are only days away from the end of summer. Of course, my education-oriented friends will not be excited about this reminder, but the truth remains. In the words of my old NFG, "It's been a summer..."
Lynchburg, Virginia; Huntington, West Virginia; Winnsboro and Lake Murray, South Carolina (upcoming); combined with a North Carolina camping trip, deeper, and a week-long speaking deal doesn't leave much room for down time. I'm thankful...but I'm tired. I love it and would have it no other way, but all this going has brought two undeniable truths to light in my life:
1) I'm getting older.
2) I miss my family.
For the first time in my adult life, last week I was accused of being older than my actual age. Granted, it was only a one year difference (technically a 3-month difference, according to my wife), but still, an accusation that is difficult to bear. I am being reminded at an accelerating rate that I am aging/getting older (Thanks, Jon & Richie) and it's not entirely awesome. My body itself is telling me that I'm no longer 19 1/2 years old. I'm bad out of shape and I'm more...fragile (not the Italian version either). I think I have a broke bone in my foot and can no longer bend my right wrist beyond 30 degrees. I know. Sad. I can't even outrun the fat kids anymore in freeze tag. (little SL Neil reference for yous)
And when I can actually duct tape my body for it to hold together long enough, I find it more difficult to fully enjoy these ventures. Don't get me wrong, I'm forever grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the stories that God has written and to see my part in them. I wouldn't trade it for the world. The one thing that's different now than 5 years ago is my family. I'm an independent guy. I can hang and chill on my own or with the guys all night long, with a little left in the morning (even if it will take 3 days to get over staying up all night...another sign). However, it's hard to fully unpack when my wife and daughter are two states, counties, or zip codes away. I want them with me, but most youth camps don't exactly cater to 20 month-olds who can't deal with super loud noises and go to bed at 8:00 p.m. after she's had her milk, which needs to be refrigerated...in a non-provided fridge that every youth boarding joint provides. Yeah, difficult. Combined with the awesome single beds everyone sleeps in, which are perfect when said 20 month-old decides she's in a strange environment at 3:46 in the morning and won't stop crying until she's surrounded by something familiar...like the comfort of being in bed with mommy or daddy..a single bed with mommy or daddy. Awesome.
Am I complaining?? No...just pointing out a few details in my life that remind me about summers...and age.
Which brings me to my final point: John Marston. Thanks for the horse rides, the hunting trips, the random strangers you'd meet, and the awesome voice. Even if I speak for myself, you will be missed. May your son carry on your legacy...and somehow learn to talk like a man.
I cannot believe that we are only days away from the end of summer. Of course, my education-oriented friends will not be excited about this reminder, but the truth remains. In the words of my old NFG, "It's been a summer..."
Lynchburg, Virginia; Huntington, West Virginia; Winnsboro and Lake Murray, South Carolina (upcoming); combined with a North Carolina camping trip, deeper, and a week-long speaking deal doesn't leave much room for down time. I'm thankful...but I'm tired. I love it and would have it no other way, but all this going has brought two undeniable truths to light in my life:
1) I'm getting older.
2) I miss my family.
For the first time in my adult life, last week I was accused of being older than my actual age. Granted, it was only a one year difference (technically a 3-month difference, according to my wife), but still, an accusation that is difficult to bear. I am being reminded at an accelerating rate that I am aging/getting older (Thanks, Jon & Richie) and it's not entirely awesome. My body itself is telling me that I'm no longer 19 1/2 years old. I'm bad out of shape and I'm more...fragile (not the Italian version either). I think I have a broke bone in my foot and can no longer bend my right wrist beyond 30 degrees. I know. Sad. I can't even outrun the fat kids anymore in freeze tag. (little SL Neil reference for yous)
And when I can actually duct tape my body for it to hold together long enough, I find it more difficult to fully enjoy these ventures. Don't get me wrong, I'm forever grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the stories that God has written and to see my part in them. I wouldn't trade it for the world. The one thing that's different now than 5 years ago is my family. I'm an independent guy. I can hang and chill on my own or with the guys all night long, with a little left in the morning (even if it will take 3 days to get over staying up all night...another sign). However, it's hard to fully unpack when my wife and daughter are two states, counties, or zip codes away. I want them with me, but most youth camps don't exactly cater to 20 month-olds who can't deal with super loud noises and go to bed at 8:00 p.m. after she's had her milk, which needs to be refrigerated...in a non-provided fridge that every youth boarding joint provides. Yeah, difficult. Combined with the awesome single beds everyone sleeps in, which are perfect when said 20 month-old decides she's in a strange environment at 3:46 in the morning and won't stop crying until she's surrounded by something familiar...like the comfort of being in bed with mommy or daddy..a single bed with mommy or daddy. Awesome.
Am I complaining?? No...just pointing out a few details in my life that remind me about summers...and age.
Which brings me to my final point: John Marston. Thanks for the horse rides, the hunting trips, the random strangers you'd meet, and the awesome voice. Even if I speak for myself, you will be missed. May your son carry on your legacy...and somehow learn to talk like a man.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Someday Sermon
If you preach, please don't steal this...
On second thought, take it and run with it, but only if it's biblical instead of a mindless rant from a guy that's far from figured it out.
Every now and then, God gives me an example from my life to teach me something. Imagine that. The latest (today) is no different.
Y'know, as a vocational minister (if that is an actual term that isolates one profession from another rather than the lifestyle Christ-followers are called and created to live), it's easy to get somewhat frustrated with oneself and others. It's those moments that God really likes to get my attention (give you three guesses how!) and show me that I have no right. I'm a sinner. I struggle with doing the right thing. I fail frequently. I succeed on rare occasion. But here's what I've seen in my life and get disgusted with myself over.
I want God, through my relationship with Him through Christ and being guided and comforted by the Holy Spirit, to change my life. Seriously. I love my life and am so filled with joy with the things and ways God has proven Himself over and over and over and over again in it. But I need change in my life to show Him the love I have for Him. I want God to change my life. Daily. Hourly, even. Change my life. This is and should be a common prayer and desire we Christ-followers should have. "God, change my life." Not a prayer of bail out, but one of dedication and desire for the perfection Christ lived. Sure, on a long enough timeline, I will fail. But that doesn't change my desire to want to stretch that timeline as thin as I've never stretched it before. God, change my life. And as I attempted to honestly pray this today, God showed me the error of my arrogance and dishonesty. How many times have I prayed, sought after, begged, pleaded, and so on for God to change my life, yet when presented with that opportunity to change, I quit. I backed down. I walked away from the proposal. What I meant when I "prayed" wasn't really for God to change my life, but rather to change my circumstances. Change the temporary. Change the little things I want different, regardless of why they exist in the first place. How pathetic...
We Christ-followers get caught up in the prayer implying "God, change my circumstances," when we say, "God, change my life." The 'change my life' prayer is very intimidating and can be scary...when we lack faith. But it's easy for us to see the little things (inconveniences that God probably placed there for His glory, by the way) that we want a specific desired outcome for, rather than live out a God engineered design that requires us to do what we don't want to do (shout, Paul).
Do you really want God to change your life to look more like Christ's? Or are you simply wussing out and implying for God to just change your circumstances? Do you have faith that God wants something BIGGER for your life than you do? Do you even have a clue what a changed LIFE looks like (i.e. - Have you ever let Him really do it?)???
What are you waiting for...
...chicken?
On second thought, take it and run with it, but only if it's biblical instead of a mindless rant from a guy that's far from figured it out.
Every now and then, God gives me an example from my life to teach me something. Imagine that. The latest (today) is no different.
Y'know, as a vocational minister (if that is an actual term that isolates one profession from another rather than the lifestyle Christ-followers are called and created to live), it's easy to get somewhat frustrated with oneself and others. It's those moments that God really likes to get my attention (give you three guesses how!) and show me that I have no right. I'm a sinner. I struggle with doing the right thing. I fail frequently. I succeed on rare occasion. But here's what I've seen in my life and get disgusted with myself over.
I want God, through my relationship with Him through Christ and being guided and comforted by the Holy Spirit, to change my life. Seriously. I love my life and am so filled with joy with the things and ways God has proven Himself over and over and over and over again in it. But I need change in my life to show Him the love I have for Him. I want God to change my life. Daily. Hourly, even. Change my life. This is and should be a common prayer and desire we Christ-followers should have. "God, change my life." Not a prayer of bail out, but one of dedication and desire for the perfection Christ lived. Sure, on a long enough timeline, I will fail. But that doesn't change my desire to want to stretch that timeline as thin as I've never stretched it before. God, change my life. And as I attempted to honestly pray this today, God showed me the error of my arrogance and dishonesty. How many times have I prayed, sought after, begged, pleaded, and so on for God to change my life, yet when presented with that opportunity to change, I quit. I backed down. I walked away from the proposal. What I meant when I "prayed" wasn't really for God to change my life, but rather to change my circumstances. Change the temporary. Change the little things I want different, regardless of why they exist in the first place. How pathetic...
We Christ-followers get caught up in the prayer implying "God, change my circumstances," when we say, "God, change my life." The 'change my life' prayer is very intimidating and can be scary...when we lack faith. But it's easy for us to see the little things (inconveniences that God probably placed there for His glory, by the way) that we want a specific desired outcome for, rather than live out a God engineered design that requires us to do what we don't want to do (shout, Paul).
Do you really want God to change your life to look more like Christ's? Or are you simply wussing out and implying for God to just change your circumstances? Do you have faith that God wants something BIGGER for your life than you do? Do you even have a clue what a changed LIFE looks like (i.e. - Have you ever let Him really do it?)???
What are you waiting for...
...chicken?
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Descriptions vs. Definitions
Ok, here we go again...
Once upon today, I finished up one act and left the room to pursue another, and along my way...
How would you define yourself?
What words do you think describe you? Go ahead, I'll wait.
I went over this today in my own strange, little head while walking between buildings. In the constant search for the answer to the question we all daily battle known as "Who am I?" I found myself mulling over the realities and not-so's of the results. Here's a few I came up with: tall, hungry, somewhat discouraged, chilly, and who. Yes, I answered a question to myself with my own question. I am confused...oh, add that one to the list: 'confused.'
At that point, I decided not to answer the question itself, but rather define the question, and that's how the slope drifted downward. How could I "define" the question that would help reveal how to "define" or "describe" me?
My first notion was to use outside sources and influences to answer the question regarding the question. Think about how other people answer it according to their life or choice. No, can't do that! The reason being is that the only answers that come to mind while seeing other people answer the question typically are examples of the way you DON'T want to answer the question, which leads to you being judgmental, or self-absorbed, or justifiable to your own unchanged identity. So that approach is no good...
Uh-oh, somebody left their tailgate down...or did they do it on purpose to save gas?
Next I tried to use the boring approach -- you know, the Adjective Theory that uses one word answers to attempt to help put a finger on that one (or many) little thing you can't seem to identify NOR get out of your head. That's where I came up with the list aforementioned. Boring. Boring. Boring...and ineffective. And THAT'S when I caught a quick glimpse of the answer that left me immersed in simple thought that I hadn't seen before because of my stupid desire for an intelligent solution!
"Who am I?" We try to answer that in so many ways based on temporary circumstance. 'How would I (or someone else, if using the comparative theory) would react or should be in this scenario?' or 'How should I react?' or 'What's best for the whole (person, situation, outcome, you name it)?' or the Sunday morning 'What would Jesus do?' that doesn't even make sense when paired with the original question.
Today, there are two answers: how you describe yourself and how you define yourself. See, these are two entirely different areas that intertwine and often confuse. But it's SO SIMPLE!!! What defines you are the things in life that cannot change. What describes you are those things that can be altered in some way or another. Here we go: I am defined as a father, because no matter what, I will always be the biological father of one Claire Denise McAlpin, regardless of either of our states. This cannot be taken away from me, therefore, partially defines me. I am a follower of Jesus Christ...a disciple, if you will. Nothing, no power on Earth or under the Earth, can take me from my God's hand. It defines who I am as a living, breathing, loved person.
On the other hand, I can be described in ways that may not describe me tomorrow. I am tall, but chop my legs off, and suddenly, I'm not first pick for a game of hoops. I am cold. Give me a coat and let's start again. I am a jerk. No, this does not define me, so give me a sandwich, a hug, and maybe a little encouragement and let's get back to the drawing board. I am a South Carolina resident...until the tidal wave makes landfall at Myrtle Beach, then I'm in line for a new driver's license! We let temporary things describe us, but allow the repercussions from these descriptions to permeate our self-image, self confidence, outlook, and the way we treat others, just to name a few.
Look, maybe I know you, maybe I don't, but today...just try it for today...live what defines you. Let the petty descriptions that hold you back or handicap your ability to make the next step wash away with the dust of yesterday. Embrace who God made you to be, and how He went about doing it. Stop basing your life on a poorly timed knee-jerk reaction to something beyond your control or ability to change. Take responsibility for who you are and stop worrying about the comings and goings of circumstance and situation.
It's going to be alright.
You're going to make it.
You were made for greatness.
You are defined by it.
And just like that, I stumbled into my next act...a little less confused, a tad more confident, and faced with more questions I'm sure I couldn't answer.
Once upon today, I finished up one act and left the room to pursue another, and along my way...
How would you define yourself?
What words do you think describe you? Go ahead, I'll wait.
I went over this today in my own strange, little head while walking between buildings. In the constant search for the answer to the question we all daily battle known as "Who am I?" I found myself mulling over the realities and not-so's of the results. Here's a few I came up with: tall, hungry, somewhat discouraged, chilly, and who. Yes, I answered a question to myself with my own question. I am confused...oh, add that one to the list: 'confused.'
At that point, I decided not to answer the question itself, but rather define the question, and that's how the slope drifted downward. How could I "define" the question that would help reveal how to "define" or "describe" me?
My first notion was to use outside sources and influences to answer the question regarding the question. Think about how other people answer it according to their life or choice. No, can't do that! The reason being is that the only answers that come to mind while seeing other people answer the question typically are examples of the way you DON'T want to answer the question, which leads to you being judgmental, or self-absorbed, or justifiable to your own unchanged identity. So that approach is no good...
Uh-oh, somebody left their tailgate down...or did they do it on purpose to save gas?
Next I tried to use the boring approach -- you know, the Adjective Theory that uses one word answers to attempt to help put a finger on that one (or many) little thing you can't seem to identify NOR get out of your head. That's where I came up with the list aforementioned. Boring. Boring. Boring...and ineffective. And THAT'S when I caught a quick glimpse of the answer that left me immersed in simple thought that I hadn't seen before because of my stupid desire for an intelligent solution!
"Who am I?" We try to answer that in so many ways based on temporary circumstance. 'How would I (or someone else, if using the comparative theory) would react or should be in this scenario?' or 'How should I react?' or 'What's best for the whole (person, situation, outcome, you name it)?' or the Sunday morning 'What would Jesus do?' that doesn't even make sense when paired with the original question.
Today, there are two answers: how you describe yourself and how you define yourself. See, these are two entirely different areas that intertwine and often confuse. But it's SO SIMPLE!!! What defines you are the things in life that cannot change. What describes you are those things that can be altered in some way or another. Here we go: I am defined as a father, because no matter what, I will always be the biological father of one Claire Denise McAlpin, regardless of either of our states. This cannot be taken away from me, therefore, partially defines me. I am a follower of Jesus Christ...a disciple, if you will. Nothing, no power on Earth or under the Earth, can take me from my God's hand. It defines who I am as a living, breathing, loved person.
On the other hand, I can be described in ways that may not describe me tomorrow. I am tall, but chop my legs off, and suddenly, I'm not first pick for a game of hoops. I am cold. Give me a coat and let's start again. I am a jerk. No, this does not define me, so give me a sandwich, a hug, and maybe a little encouragement and let's get back to the drawing board. I am a South Carolina resident...until the tidal wave makes landfall at Myrtle Beach, then I'm in line for a new driver's license! We let temporary things describe us, but allow the repercussions from these descriptions to permeate our self-image, self confidence, outlook, and the way we treat others, just to name a few.
Look, maybe I know you, maybe I don't, but today...just try it for today...live what defines you. Let the petty descriptions that hold you back or handicap your ability to make the next step wash away with the dust of yesterday. Embrace who God made you to be, and how He went about doing it. Stop basing your life on a poorly timed knee-jerk reaction to something beyond your control or ability to change. Take responsibility for who you are and stop worrying about the comings and goings of circumstance and situation.
It's going to be alright.
You're going to make it.
You were made for greatness.
You are defined by it.
And just like that, I stumbled into my next act...a little less confused, a tad more confident, and faced with more questions I'm sure I couldn't answer.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
I'm in the Menace Tree...
Clever...ain't it?!?
Well, maybe not...but true for me, nonetheless.
See, ministry stuff is by FAR the greatest thing in the world to be a part of. Seriously. I know there is nothing greater to be involved with than ministry. I'm not saying it has to be one's vocation, but ministry as a whole SHOULD involve everyone who has accepted the fact that they are flawed beings in need of a redeemer. Does it always work that way all across the board? Sadly, no. But that's not for me to decide, judge, or harp on...not today, at least.
No, today is just one of those days that it's easy to be discouraged. I am thankful and forever indebted to those who have poured into and ministered to me, because their love and words have equipped me to go through days like these. But even still, the enemy still uses daggers of discouragement to distract me. Today, it happened a lot.
Of the bogillions of things I have learned (and still learning), one of them is that ministry is God's and God's alone. Everything within the confines of ministry is only successful within the parameters of God at work. Sure, it can look successful to man's judgment and sin-veiled eye, but the truth is that true ministry is ONLY successful when God is at work in the situation or circumstance. When we attempt to take ownership or claim a ministry or part of ministry as "ours" or "mine" we have severely cheapened said ministry outlet, eliminated the possibility for 'success,' and deceived ourselves into believing we're effective for the calling dealing with that specific ministry. Too often do we find ourselves (and I say that because I have been guilty of this) believing that "This couldn't have happened or won't work without ME...or without MY abilities/talents/availability/knowledge blah blah blah." Really? So, God couldn't pull this off without the help of an INDIVIDUAL...that He created, by the way?!?!?!?!?!??
The most unfortunate thing about this scenario is that its commonplace is the church. Folks love volunteering (which, in my opinion, is where the richest ministry takes place), but it's when we get self-focused and push our own agendas do we distort real ministry. What sucks even more is that real people get burned by it. They're the ones who lose out, get discouraged, become distracted...in a nutshell, DON'T see the love of Christ in the attempt, and walk away unaffected. And somehow, we (fallen man) have labeled it "successful."
I suppose that's where I'm at. Recently, I've seen examples of selfishness, both in my own life and at work around me, and I've been discouraged. I'm thankful for the mentors and saints God has put into my life to truly minister to me, but some days it's just too easy to see the fake and false 'ministries' people claim in their own name. I suppose that discouragement from a slight miss is why I once again find myself in the Menace Tree instead of the real deal.
So I pray that you, as a follower of Christ, find yourself immersed in true, real, life-changing ministry...and realize you have NOTHING to do with its success.
And if you're looking for one in the meantime, just look up. Some of us could use some help getting down.
Like I said: Clever.
Well, maybe not...but true for me, nonetheless.
See, ministry stuff is by FAR the greatest thing in the world to be a part of. Seriously. I know there is nothing greater to be involved with than ministry. I'm not saying it has to be one's vocation, but ministry as a whole SHOULD involve everyone who has accepted the fact that they are flawed beings in need of a redeemer. Does it always work that way all across the board? Sadly, no. But that's not for me to decide, judge, or harp on...not today, at least.
No, today is just one of those days that it's easy to be discouraged. I am thankful and forever indebted to those who have poured into and ministered to me, because their love and words have equipped me to go through days like these. But even still, the enemy still uses daggers of discouragement to distract me. Today, it happened a lot.
Of the bogillions of things I have learned (and still learning), one of them is that ministry is God's and God's alone. Everything within the confines of ministry is only successful within the parameters of God at work. Sure, it can look successful to man's judgment and sin-veiled eye, but the truth is that true ministry is ONLY successful when God is at work in the situation or circumstance. When we attempt to take ownership or claim a ministry or part of ministry as "ours" or "mine" we have severely cheapened said ministry outlet, eliminated the possibility for 'success,' and deceived ourselves into believing we're effective for the calling dealing with that specific ministry. Too often do we find ourselves (and I say that because I have been guilty of this) believing that "This couldn't have happened or won't work without ME...or without MY abilities/talents/availability/knowledge blah blah blah." Really? So, God couldn't pull this off without the help of an INDIVIDUAL...that He created, by the way?!?!?!?!?!??
The most unfortunate thing about this scenario is that its commonplace is the church. Folks love volunteering (which, in my opinion, is where the richest ministry takes place), but it's when we get self-focused and push our own agendas do we distort real ministry. What sucks even more is that real people get burned by it. They're the ones who lose out, get discouraged, become distracted...in a nutshell, DON'T see the love of Christ in the attempt, and walk away unaffected. And somehow, we (fallen man) have labeled it "successful."
I suppose that's where I'm at. Recently, I've seen examples of selfishness, both in my own life and at work around me, and I've been discouraged. I'm thankful for the mentors and saints God has put into my life to truly minister to me, but some days it's just too easy to see the fake and false 'ministries' people claim in their own name. I suppose that discouragement from a slight miss is why I once again find myself in the Menace Tree instead of the real deal.
So I pray that you, as a follower of Christ, find yourself immersed in true, real, life-changing ministry...and realize you have NOTHING to do with its success.
And if you're looking for one in the meantime, just look up. Some of us could use some help getting down.
Like I said: Clever.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Q & A....Q, Q, Q, Q, Q, Q, Q, attempted A, then QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ...and no A
I love Winter Retreat. It is one of the funnest/most fun trips we do yearly (it's tied with all the others). The weekend consists of our own schedule, which isn't full for the purpose of enjoying one another's company and fellowship. This year, like last, was at Look Up Lodge in Traveler's Rest, SC. It's a great location to have a camp when you just want to take your group and get away. Beautiful!
And this year was no different. Our theme was 'Long, Cold Winter' and focused on community within the body of Christ. We had some incredible music led by JB "I can dance just like" Usher, with the assist from the One Man Wolfpack Trav. It was great!! We looked at how we can have fellowship as told about by Jesus and Paul and demonstrated throughout Scriptures. We played paintball, Death Hack, football, blah blah blah blah blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah................
On to the awards for the weekend!!!!
THE WINTER RETREAT AWARDS for 2010...brought to you by CRASH Ministries!!
Most likely not to get out of bed: Erwin
Most likely to play guitar: JB Usher, honorable mention to Drakey J.
Most likely to get punched in the face: Hunter G., honorable mention to Jac Zones
Most likely to one day be a real life Chuck Norris based on skills from paintball: The Fog
Most likely to have their foot amputated from it being frozen: Jesse W.
Most likely to sleep through something important: K-Town
Most Questions asked: Destiny & KReed (tie)
Most Creative use of a napkin holder (also called the Visionary award): Destiny
Talked the Biggest Game but didn't back it up by NOT playing football or paintball after telling people how he would dominate: Big Jimmy
Most likely to get out first in Death Hack: KReed
Most likely to get killed by intentional bus wreck: Justin's Bus
Most likely to use the word Precious: LK
Most likely to never recover from being victims of NERF Breach: Basement Room 1
Most likely to spread the non-contagious form of Mono: AliMatt
Most likely to beat up someone's little siser: Big Papa Neal
Most likely to ROCK the HOUSE by jumping into everything without being shy: 7th Grade Girls
Most likely to get a speeding ticket to or from LUL: You know who you are (tie)
Most likely to make people cry by the sincerity of their words: Lee W.
Most likely to be used by God to change lives: We'll see...
Enjoyed it all! Join us next year!!!
But until then, how will YOU survive a Long, Cold Winter??
And this year was no different. Our theme was 'Long, Cold Winter' and focused on community within the body of Christ. We had some incredible music led by JB "I can dance just like" Usher, with the assist from the One Man Wolfpack Trav. It was great!! We looked at how we can have fellowship as told about by Jesus and Paul and demonstrated throughout Scriptures. We played paintball, Death Hack, football, blah blah blah blah blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah................
On to the awards for the weekend!!!!
THE WINTER RETREAT AWARDS for 2010...brought to you by CRASH Ministries!!
Most likely not to get out of bed: Erwin
Most likely to play guitar: JB Usher, honorable mention to Drakey J.
Most likely to get punched in the face: Hunter G., honorable mention to Jac Zones
Most likely to one day be a real life Chuck Norris based on skills from paintball: The Fog
Most likely to have their foot amputated from it being frozen: Jesse W.
Most likely to sleep through something important: K-Town
Most Questions asked: Destiny & KReed (tie)
Most Creative use of a napkin holder (also called the Visionary award): Destiny
Talked the Biggest Game but didn't back it up by NOT playing football or paintball after telling people how he would dominate: Big Jimmy
Most likely to get out first in Death Hack: KReed
Most likely to get killed by intentional bus wreck: Justin's Bus
Most likely to use the word Precious: LK
Most likely to never recover from being victims of NERF Breach: Basement Room 1
Most likely to spread the non-contagious form of Mono: AliMatt
Most likely to beat up someone's little siser: Big Papa Neal
Most likely to ROCK the HOUSE by jumping into everything without being shy: 7th Grade Girls
Most likely to get a speeding ticket to or from LUL: You know who you are (tie)
Most likely to make people cry by the sincerity of their words: Lee W.
Most likely to be used by God to change lives: We'll see...
Enjoyed it all! Join us next year!!!
But until then, how will YOU survive a Long, Cold Winter??
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