I didn't want to do it. I promise I tried my best not too, but I can't hold it back anymore...WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE SPRING! Geez! As I sit in my office this morning, during a blizzard warning mind you, I wonder how we're getting the kids home from school? We are the only school in Pott county I think in session. Someone in charge of that has some explaining to do.
Okay that's out of my system. I honestly don't have much on the mind today..save the jokes. I have a great idea for the Musings in our monthly newsletter The Cornerstone and I don't want to just repeat it here.
I suppose I could vent a little about the Vikings loss last night. Not only was it a loss, but it was a heart wrenching loss too. To be so close and then have it ripped away hurts a little. I do enjoy sports, but I don't get so involved that it ruins my day or even night. I slept good and Alex has begun to sleep through the night more and more so that makes me happy. Sports for me is a nice distraction, but I can't get too involved because other aspects of life are much more important and deserve my energy. And I have to relay that too my kids too. Quick story..
Last night we told Isaac that the Saints were ahead and he started getting all sad and began to cry. He was genuinely upset that the Vikes were losing. After I controlled my laughter because it was cute, we had a heart to heart talk. I did my best to explain to a 3 year old that we like the Vikings but it's just a game. Watching and cheering for them is fun, but it doesn't have a bearing on our lives. Not sure he understood, but when the Vikes eventually lost he wasn't so despondent. Not sure if we made any headway with him but it was a wonderful reminder to me that sports are just a nice distraction. I wanted to be angry and throw things, but I saw my 3 year old there and was immediately reminded that true happiness comes from family, faith and friends. I'll continue cheering for the MN sports teams. I'll continue being disappointed in their losses. I'll also continue to remember that there are better things in life. So, until next year GO VIKES AND GO TWINS!!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Wisdom of kids
Over Christmas break my son Isaac and Tracy's sister Darcy were watching the movie Apollo 13. When the capsule has some difficulty and there are scenes of family members crying Darcy looks over and Isaac is crying too. She asks, "what's the matter Isaac?" And he replies, "When are they going to see their family again?" He was concerned that the astronauts wouldn't be with their families again and he was sad. There have been a number of times when we're watching a movie or some television show and Isaac will get quiet and I will ask what's wrong and he'll be worried about the family. Already he knows the comfort and support that can be found inside of a family and he has a very empathetic side too. As for when he was watching Apollo 13 Darcy explained that everyone will be okay and he was comforted by that but he wouldn't stop watching until the families were reunited. Sometimes I wonder if kids are wiser than we are.
Of course us adults know that families aren't perfect, that all families don't get reunited, and that not all people find comfort in earthly families. But, we can take comfort in knowing that we are all part of a bigger family. We are all God's creation/children whether we want to acknowledge it or not. Unlike earthly families God loves us unconditionally. No matter what we do God's love for us never changes and God always desires that we turn to God for comfort, help and wisdom. We cannot drive ourselves too far from God. Nothing we do can separate us from God's desire for us to be part of the divine family. Do you get the picture? The relationship we have with God cannot be irreparably damaged. God always wants us as part of the family.
We can take great comfort in knowing that God is always there for us. No matter how far we feel from God, the Spirit is right next to us waiting for us to open ourselves to the power. Just as my 3 year old takes comfort in knowing that he has a family that loves and supports him, although we're far from perfect, and he knows that families help others, I believe that being part of God's family can help us through anything. We just need to believe and accept that God loves us just as we are. We need to be able to accept ourselves in order to allow God to use us. Maybe what we need is the childlike faith and belief that families are great support and vehicles of love. Maybe we need the innocence and optimism of a child to see past all the heartache and cynicism of this world and believe that God loves us and that power exists and wants to be in relation with us. Maybe we just think too much...
Of course us adults know that families aren't perfect, that all families don't get reunited, and that not all people find comfort in earthly families. But, we can take comfort in knowing that we are all part of a bigger family. We are all God's creation/children whether we want to acknowledge it or not. Unlike earthly families God loves us unconditionally. No matter what we do God's love for us never changes and God always desires that we turn to God for comfort, help and wisdom. We cannot drive ourselves too far from God. Nothing we do can separate us from God's desire for us to be part of the divine family. Do you get the picture? The relationship we have with God cannot be irreparably damaged. God always wants us as part of the family.
We can take great comfort in knowing that God is always there for us. No matter how far we feel from God, the Spirit is right next to us waiting for us to open ourselves to the power. Just as my 3 year old takes comfort in knowing that he has a family that loves and supports him, although we're far from perfect, and he knows that families help others, I believe that being part of God's family can help us through anything. We just need to believe and accept that God loves us just as we are. We need to be able to accept ourselves in order to allow God to use us. Maybe what we need is the childlike faith and belief that families are great support and vehicles of love. Maybe we need the innocence and optimism of a child to see past all the heartache and cynicism of this world and believe that God loves us and that power exists and wants to be in relation with us. Maybe we just think too much...
Monday, January 4, 2010
A Fresh Start
There is nothing quite like the start to a New Year. I don't really get into celebrating the coming of the New Year too much. Just a night out with some friends is really enough. I can do without the headache from too much champagne the night before! It's an accomplishment for me to make it too midnight. What I like about the turning of the calendar to the New Year is the sense that we get a chance to start anew. The sense that there is the whole year ahead of you and you can do things better this year. No matter what has happened the past year you get a chance to make some promises, or resolutions, that you'll do better this time around. What an awesome opportunity.
Of course about 2 to 4 weeks later reality sets in and the "new" year begins to look a lot like the past year only with you getting older. How many promises, or resolutions (I really dislike that word), have we kept? If you are like me....none. Oh, if I'm lucky I'll make it a month or two eating better and exercising regularly, but pretty soon old habits creep back in. Maybe we should be singing "old habits be forgot" instead of "old acquaintances be forgot." That to me would be a better New Year song. Just making a promise, or resolution, doesn't do any good of course. You need to make some concrete changes if you really want this year to be different. I am not about to offer any advice on how to do that since I'm no shining example myself, but what I do want to touch on is how God offers us a fresh start AND the power to change every day.
Just as the beginning of a new year can spark a sense of hope and renewal in us God offers that same hope and forgiveness for past misgivings no matter what time of year it is. God is always ready to listen to a repentant heart. God is always ready to forgive us. Maybe most importantly of all God is always ready to help us become a better person. God is always ready and willing...the trick is are we. It takes some guts to pour out our failings to God, and it takes even more faith to earnestly want God to work on us and change us. When we truly allow God to work in our lives then we are giving God control of what happens. We don't like giving up control. But, if we really want our lives to change then we need to let God work on us. We don't have the strength to do it, or at least I don't. We need the help of the Spirit, and we need to be willing to let the Spirit grind down the rough edges. If we truly let God work on us, then the changes will be concrete and everlasting. The hard part of course is letting go and letting God. Take the spirit and hope of this new year and open yourself up to the calling of the Spirit. You'll be amazed at what promises, or resolutions, you can keep!
Of course about 2 to 4 weeks later reality sets in and the "new" year begins to look a lot like the past year only with you getting older. How many promises, or resolutions (I really dislike that word), have we kept? If you are like me....none. Oh, if I'm lucky I'll make it a month or two eating better and exercising regularly, but pretty soon old habits creep back in. Maybe we should be singing "old habits be forgot" instead of "old acquaintances be forgot." That to me would be a better New Year song. Just making a promise, or resolution, doesn't do any good of course. You need to make some concrete changes if you really want this year to be different. I am not about to offer any advice on how to do that since I'm no shining example myself, but what I do want to touch on is how God offers us a fresh start AND the power to change every day.
Just as the beginning of a new year can spark a sense of hope and renewal in us God offers that same hope and forgiveness for past misgivings no matter what time of year it is. God is always ready to listen to a repentant heart. God is always ready to forgive us. Maybe most importantly of all God is always ready to help us become a better person. God is always ready and willing...the trick is are we. It takes some guts to pour out our failings to God, and it takes even more faith to earnestly want God to work on us and change us. When we truly allow God to work in our lives then we are giving God control of what happens. We don't like giving up control. But, if we really want our lives to change then we need to let God work on us. We don't have the strength to do it, or at least I don't. We need the help of the Spirit, and we need to be willing to let the Spirit grind down the rough edges. If we truly let God work on us, then the changes will be concrete and everlasting. The hard part of course is letting go and letting God. Take the spirit and hope of this new year and open yourself up to the calling of the Spirit. You'll be amazed at what promises, or resolutions, you can keep!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Merry Christmas
Not too much on my mind this week. Looking forward to a great Christmas with the family. Amazed that Isaac has left the presents under the tree alone! He has certainly gotten into this whole Christmas thing. He even picked out a couple of his toys that he could give to a little boy or girl who wasn't getting toys this Christmas. He digs Santa, he kinda understands Jesus being born, so we're going to have to keep working on getting him to understand why we get to celebrate this season every year.
Maybe that's the challenge to all of us. To make sure we remember why we celebrate this season. No real words of wisdom to help with that fact. Call a friend, call a family member, call a neighbor you haven't talked to in a long time and wish them a Merry Christmas. Spread the Spirit of Christ!
Merry Christmas
Maybe that's the challenge to all of us. To make sure we remember why we celebrate this season. No real words of wisdom to help with that fact. Call a friend, call a family member, call a neighbor you haven't talked to in a long time and wish them a Merry Christmas. Spread the Spirit of Christ!
Merry Christmas
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Let it snow!
Wow! There are piles of snow everywhere. It is not even the middle of December and Tri-Center has used both of it's built in snow days, and I'm not sure Minden has any more places it can pile the snow. Isaac keeps wondering when it's going to warm up so he can go outside and the snow will melt. I told him to brace for a long winter!
I like a Facebook post that I read this morning about people risking their lives, and the lives of rescuers who have to help them if stranded, by going to work in this terrible weather. The post stated that maybe they should take this snow day as a sign from God that you should stay home and recuperate and/or spend time with family. (not a direct quote but the general gist of the posting) I could not agree more. I suppose some jobs are vital, and that if you don't show up for one day you'll either be fired our the company will crumble. Although my hunch is those types of positions are far and few between. Is it really worth life and limb to get to work when the Interstates are closed, or at least no travel is advised, and the two lane highways are impassible? Does your boss really expect you to risk it all for one days work? You mean to tell me there is no way you can make up for it the next few days if you have to? I guess I'm not in the corporate world, and for good reason, but I find it hard to believe any one person is that valuable where they can't miss a day when the weather is horrible.
I mean today was a bullet proof excuse to stay home. Spend some time with the kids, the grandkids, your spouse. Spend some time alone just recharging. People always talk about how busy they are, and then they're presented with a golden chance to take some time for themselves but they can't bring themselves to do it. Is our work truly that important? I know jobs are important, but worth risking your life for over missing one day? I think we get so tied into our jobs because a lot of our self-worth and self-esteem are tied into our careers. How high we are on the social ladder is dependent on how much we make or what our careers are. Our identity is tied into our jobs, and that is sad. Who we are is not what we do for a living? Yes our careers tell us a bit about ourselves and where we are in life, but they have no representation on what kind of a person we are. Yes what we do for a living is a big part of our lives, but our jobs should not be our sole source of identity. Because we tie our self-identity so closely with our jobs we feel that we have to be there all the time, we have to over perform, the company can't go on without us, and God forbid what happens if we miss some time and the company still goes on? Does that mean we're replaceable? I have news for you...we are all replaceable.
If I could be known for one thing in this world, it would be that I was a good father. I certainly want to succeed at my job, but not at the continued expense of my family. Yes there are times when the job interferes with family life, but I will not let it become the norm. If the job demands too much of me then maybe I'm in the wrong line of work. If I can't take one day, when the weather is horrible, and spend it at home with the family because I can't stand missing any work or don't think I can, for even one day, then maybe my priorities are messed up. God provides opportunities for us to recharge and reconnect. Are we missing them because we believe we're too busy? Where are our priorities? Sometime else to chew on besides goodies this Christmas Season!
I like a Facebook post that I read this morning about people risking their lives, and the lives of rescuers who have to help them if stranded, by going to work in this terrible weather. The post stated that maybe they should take this snow day as a sign from God that you should stay home and recuperate and/or spend time with family. (not a direct quote but the general gist of the posting) I could not agree more. I suppose some jobs are vital, and that if you don't show up for one day you'll either be fired our the company will crumble. Although my hunch is those types of positions are far and few between. Is it really worth life and limb to get to work when the Interstates are closed, or at least no travel is advised, and the two lane highways are impassible? Does your boss really expect you to risk it all for one days work? You mean to tell me there is no way you can make up for it the next few days if you have to? I guess I'm not in the corporate world, and for good reason, but I find it hard to believe any one person is that valuable where they can't miss a day when the weather is horrible.
I mean today was a bullet proof excuse to stay home. Spend some time with the kids, the grandkids, your spouse. Spend some time alone just recharging. People always talk about how busy they are, and then they're presented with a golden chance to take some time for themselves but they can't bring themselves to do it. Is our work truly that important? I know jobs are important, but worth risking your life for over missing one day? I think we get so tied into our jobs because a lot of our self-worth and self-esteem are tied into our careers. How high we are on the social ladder is dependent on how much we make or what our careers are. Our identity is tied into our jobs, and that is sad. Who we are is not what we do for a living? Yes our careers tell us a bit about ourselves and where we are in life, but they have no representation on what kind of a person we are. Yes what we do for a living is a big part of our lives, but our jobs should not be our sole source of identity. Because we tie our self-identity so closely with our jobs we feel that we have to be there all the time, we have to over perform, the company can't go on without us, and God forbid what happens if we miss some time and the company still goes on? Does that mean we're replaceable? I have news for you...we are all replaceable.
If I could be known for one thing in this world, it would be that I was a good father. I certainly want to succeed at my job, but not at the continued expense of my family. Yes there are times when the job interferes with family life, but I will not let it become the norm. If the job demands too much of me then maybe I'm in the wrong line of work. If I can't take one day, when the weather is horrible, and spend it at home with the family because I can't stand missing any work or don't think I can, for even one day, then maybe my priorities are messed up. God provides opportunities for us to recharge and reconnect. Are we missing them because we believe we're too busy? Where are our priorities? Sometime else to chew on besides goodies this Christmas Season!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Being Thankful
The forgotten holiday...That's what my dad mentioned on Saturday when we were discussing plans around Thanksgiving. Is that what Thanksgiving has become? The holiday sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas? I understand why it happens. Halloween is a multibillion dollar holiday and Christmas is a multibillion dollar holiday. Thanksgiving isn't nearly the money maker so the consumer driven society tends to push it aside. But the Friday after is certainly a holiday! Just ask my wife! I think we need to be careful ourselves to make sure we don't forget Thanksgiving, and more importantly the spirit of the holiday. I know we've heard it so much, but we need to pause and truly give thanks for how lucky we have it.
As I was lying in bed this morning wondering if Alex(my 3 month old) was going to get up or not and I tried to name all the stuff I was thankful for. Lately I've just had this gnawing sense that I need to be more mindful of how good I truly have it. To that end, I thought I would earnestly try to name all the things I'm thankful for. As I was going along I found that I take a lot of things for granted...A LOT! For instance I woke up, which is a good start to any day, I was in a nice comfortable, warm bed. I had warm water instantly, I flipped on the TV to catch game highlights. Heck, when my first concern is who won the football game last night I know I have a lot to be thankful for. I had whatever I wanted for breakfast at hand and I had a job to go to. These are things to be thankful for and I haven't even left the house yet. Oh yeah I have a roof over my head. I have a great family, both immediate and far away. The list could literally go on and on...but how often do we actually feel thankful and grateful for all we have. Compared to much of the world I'm living as royalty and I hardly ever think of that thought when I'm complaining that my coffee is cold or not sweetened right! We truly have no idea how good we have it, and the one day we should truly try to be grateful is in danger of becoming Black Friday Eve and Thanksgiving will be forgotten.
I know I can never be grateful enough for what I have and what I've been given. The only way I can even try is to attempt to live the best life I can. Giving as much of myself as I can to help others. Trying to live the example that Jesus Christ gave us. Trying to be the best human being that I can. I know I'll fall short, but if I put for the honest effort and try to be better each time I fail then I'll truly be doing all I can to be say thanks for everything. Think of the difference in the world if we all tried to live like that. Will you try with me?
As I was lying in bed this morning wondering if Alex(my 3 month old) was going to get up or not and I tried to name all the stuff I was thankful for. Lately I've just had this gnawing sense that I need to be more mindful of how good I truly have it. To that end, I thought I would earnestly try to name all the things I'm thankful for. As I was going along I found that I take a lot of things for granted...A LOT! For instance I woke up, which is a good start to any day, I was in a nice comfortable, warm bed. I had warm water instantly, I flipped on the TV to catch game highlights. Heck, when my first concern is who won the football game last night I know I have a lot to be thankful for. I had whatever I wanted for breakfast at hand and I had a job to go to. These are things to be thankful for and I haven't even left the house yet. Oh yeah I have a roof over my head. I have a great family, both immediate and far away. The list could literally go on and on...but how often do we actually feel thankful and grateful for all we have. Compared to much of the world I'm living as royalty and I hardly ever think of that thought when I'm complaining that my coffee is cold or not sweetened right! We truly have no idea how good we have it, and the one day we should truly try to be grateful is in danger of becoming Black Friday Eve and Thanksgiving will be forgotten.
I know I can never be grateful enough for what I have and what I've been given. The only way I can even try is to attempt to live the best life I can. Giving as much of myself as I can to help others. Trying to live the example that Jesus Christ gave us. Trying to be the best human being that I can. I know I'll fall short, but if I put for the honest effort and try to be better each time I fail then I'll truly be doing all I can to be say thanks for everything. Think of the difference in the world if we all tried to live like that. Will you try with me?
Monday, November 9, 2009
God's Energy
I have a confession to make. This past Sunday I had zero energy to do church when I got up in the morning. Do you ever have one of those mornings when you get up and all you want to do is go back to bed? You don't have the gumption to face the day and a few more hours spent under the covers would be perfect. Well that was me on Sunday. I can't even blame Alex for keeping us up because he slept pretty good. I don't know what it was. I didn't feel very perky. I asked Tracy if she wanted to preach for me and she politely declined. So I got up and went about my day. Amazingly the Spirit met me at the church doors and I was given the shot in the arm that I needed. Those that were at the worship service on Sunday can be the judge if that shot did any good, but it sure helped me out mentally and spiritually. Now if that dumb computer would only get that shot!
I'm amazed at how many times I have found myself grumpy or low on energy or feeling sorry for myself and had the Spirit come and lift me up. Sometimes I ask for it and sometimes I don't, but each time I certainly needed it and knew I was in the presence of something greater than myself. Ever have those experiences? I hope so. Isn't it wonderful that we have a God that loves us enough, and knows us well enough, that he enters our lives and gives us a boost when we need it most? The creator of the universe has the time to interject in our lives. Truly amazing when you think about it.
The question then moves to how do we thank God for all God has done for us? Do we say a little prayer of thanksgiving? A prayer would be a good start. Do we reflect that grace and mercy shown to us in our own lives? I think living a life that is Spirit filled would be the best way to show God our gratitude for all that has been done for us. During adult Sunday school we discussed what the difference was between being religious and having a relationship with Jesus. One main difference we all agreed on was that having a relationship means our lives have to reflect what we believe and profess. One can be religious...say and do all the right things, but still have no relationship and no evidence of God in the lives. It is impossible to have a true relationship with Jesus, God and/or the Spirit and not have that evidenced in your life.
I left the Sunday school with a question, and I'm going to close with this same question: "If someone who didn't know you at all looked at your life, would they be able to tell you have a relationship with Jesus, God and/or the Spirit?" Take a good look at the life you're living. Could a neutral observer tell you are a Christian? Look beyond church attendance and see if the life you live reflects the words you read in Scripture. I'll admit that I don't always like the answer when I ask myself that question. I try to ask it often and it serves as a reminder that a true relationship has to be reflected in my life. What's reflected in yours?
I'm amazed at how many times I have found myself grumpy or low on energy or feeling sorry for myself and had the Spirit come and lift me up. Sometimes I ask for it and sometimes I don't, but each time I certainly needed it and knew I was in the presence of something greater than myself. Ever have those experiences? I hope so. Isn't it wonderful that we have a God that loves us enough, and knows us well enough, that he enters our lives and gives us a boost when we need it most? The creator of the universe has the time to interject in our lives. Truly amazing when you think about it.
The question then moves to how do we thank God for all God has done for us? Do we say a little prayer of thanksgiving? A prayer would be a good start. Do we reflect that grace and mercy shown to us in our own lives? I think living a life that is Spirit filled would be the best way to show God our gratitude for all that has been done for us. During adult Sunday school we discussed what the difference was between being religious and having a relationship with Jesus. One main difference we all agreed on was that having a relationship means our lives have to reflect what we believe and profess. One can be religious...say and do all the right things, but still have no relationship and no evidence of God in the lives. It is impossible to have a true relationship with Jesus, God and/or the Spirit and not have that evidenced in your life.
I left the Sunday school with a question, and I'm going to close with this same question: "If someone who didn't know you at all looked at your life, would they be able to tell you have a relationship with Jesus, God and/or the Spirit?" Take a good look at the life you're living. Could a neutral observer tell you are a Christian? Look beyond church attendance and see if the life you live reflects the words you read in Scripture. I'll admit that I don't always like the answer when I ask myself that question. I try to ask it often and it serves as a reminder that a true relationship has to be reflected in my life. What's reflected in yours?
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