Well, I never thought it would happen...at least not while I lived in SW Iowa. My lawn has been mowed before April! Unreal!!! I know this may not be politically or even environmentally correct, but if this past winter and subsequent sprint are the results of global warming I'm all for it! I cannot believe how green everything is already, and how hard the spring fever bug has hit me.
As spring continues on and we get into summer I did have a sobering moment last night with Tracy. We had sat down and began to plan our summer, and apparently our summer is filled up already! It isn't even April and we're scrambling to fit everything we want to do in the summer into the summer. Everyone keeps telling me that as the boys get older we will get even busier, but I'm not sure that's possible.
I know as a pastor I should make some deep theological point here about our busy lives and making time for the Spirit and God, but I've spoken about that enough. I think for today I'm just going to leave you with a thought...What is one thing you really want to do this summer? Think of one thing...whatever it is I want you to go to your calendar and find time to do it. Write it down, block off the time, and make sure you get to it. If you don't, summer is going to be gone, you'll be raking leaves, and preparing the shovel. Don't wake up one cold fall day and wish you would have made time to do it...git-r-done!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Prayers...Routine or Real?
Tracy and I have started to have Isaac say some prayers before he goes to bed each night. We felt it important to get him at least pointed in the right direction and to start some habits early. Who knows how it will turn out, but at least we can say we tried! It is interesting in the least to hear what he comes up with, and it amazes me sometimes who and/or what he thinks about praying for. Hearing those prayers brings home the story when Jesus talks about having the faith of a child to enter into heaven. Right now Isaac has no doubts he's talking to Jesus and Jesus is listening...that certainty of faith is certainly amazing and it is too bad our adult minds can mess it up as we get older.
What I've been noticing lately is that he has tended now to say the same thing each night in an attempt to get the prayer over with quickly. You'd think a "normal" 5 year old would drag the prayer on for ever to keep himself from having to go to bed! Last night he buzzed right through it without seemingly giving a thought to what he was saying. He was just repeating what he'd been saying the nights before. What he was praying for was fine, but it had become robotic and it got me to thinking if we become almost robotic in our prayer life. I reminded him that he was talking to Jesus and that he need to think about what he wanted to pray about and not just rush through it. Good advice for us too I think.
Examine for a second who you pray. Is it the same requests over and over, do you mean what you are saying or are you rushing through it so you can check another thing off your list for the day. Of course some things are worth praying about again and again, but I don't think the prayer should become so automatic it rolls off your tongue without a thought behind it. Now, I certainly can't say God listens better if we put a lot of umph behind the prayer, but I do know it will speak to us more if we think about what we mean each time and honestly pray the words. Familiarity can bread contempt...let's not let it happen in or prayer lives!
What I've been noticing lately is that he has tended now to say the same thing each night in an attempt to get the prayer over with quickly. You'd think a "normal" 5 year old would drag the prayer on for ever to keep himself from having to go to bed! Last night he buzzed right through it without seemingly giving a thought to what he was saying. He was just repeating what he'd been saying the nights before. What he was praying for was fine, but it had become robotic and it got me to thinking if we become almost robotic in our prayer life. I reminded him that he was talking to Jesus and that he need to think about what he wanted to pray about and not just rush through it. Good advice for us too I think.
Examine for a second who you pray. Is it the same requests over and over, do you mean what you are saying or are you rushing through it so you can check another thing off your list for the day. Of course some things are worth praying about again and again, but I don't think the prayer should become so automatic it rolls off your tongue without a thought behind it. Now, I certainly can't say God listens better if we put a lot of umph behind the prayer, but I do know it will speak to us more if we think about what we mean each time and honestly pray the words. Familiarity can bread contempt...let's not let it happen in or prayer lives!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Chicken Coma
We survived another year of the SW Iowa "famous" Staley's chicken dinner here at church. What a glorious turnout. If my memory serves, and that is a BIG if, I believe we had the best crowd since I've been here. We served more than 350 people! I know what a big undertaking this is, and it takes a lot of people and hard work to pull this dinner off. My heart is always warmed seeing people working and having a little bit of fun doing it.
I was asked if this was a fundraiser for the church. The dinner does raise some money, but I see value in hosting the dinner that goes beyond the money. Where else do you see kids serving others water and coffee...where else do you see generations working side by side and enjoying doing so...where else do you see so many faces, both new and old, working together towards a common goal? I know some of the jobs aren't all that fun, and it can be tiring working for those few hours, but knowing we are helping serve a bigger purpose makes it all worth it in my mind.
So, thank you to EVERYONE who had a hand in making this dinner a huge success! Thank you also to all who came an enjoyed the food and fellowship. I look forward to seeing you all again soon!
I was asked if this was a fundraiser for the church. The dinner does raise some money, but I see value in hosting the dinner that goes beyond the money. Where else do you see kids serving others water and coffee...where else do you see generations working side by side and enjoying doing so...where else do you see so many faces, both new and old, working together towards a common goal? I know some of the jobs aren't all that fun, and it can be tiring working for those few hours, but knowing we are helping serve a bigger purpose makes it all worth it in my mind.
So, thank you to EVERYONE who had a hand in making this dinner a huge success! Thank you also to all who came an enjoyed the food and fellowship. I look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The Olden Days
I posted on my Facebook page a conversation that Isaac and I had in the van on the way to school. During the conversation he made reference to the olden days. I thought he was talking about hundreds of years ago, but unfortunately he was referring to the days when I was in school. Man, talk about making someone feel old!
As I was thinking about this conversation and reminiscing about my childhood and all the toys we didn't have back then...cell phones, tablet computers, computers (for my early childhood), video games, Facebook, Twitter...I wondered how I ever had any fun. How in the world did we know what was going on in the world? Then I watched the Daytona 500 last night an a driver had a special compartment made in his car so he could carry his iphone with him. Really...just in case he needs to take a call at 200 mph! Luckily for him there was a 2 hour jet fuel fire delay so he was tweeting and sending pictures all over. What broke the camel's back was the article headline I saw that read, "Our devices now own us." How true that is.
Are we better connected now then we were in the olden days? Have these devices of convenience lent us more free time, or have the invaded our lives in such a way they are consuming more time then saving? Does our need to check Facebook, Twitter, email, Pinterest take away from time we could be spending with family? I think so. Leave your cell phone at home once when you go to work or out shopping as Tracy and I both did last week. Talk about a strange feeling. We almost turned around to get them, but instead enjoyed a fairly quiet day with the boys. Quiet because we didn't have to answer to our cell phones. What would happen if you couldn't check any social media sights from 5pm to the time the kids go to bed? Do you find yourself in a better relationship with your smart device then family and friends?
I think I have been guilty of that, and I've decided to wean myself from the cell phone a social media a little bit. I'm not stopping them altogether, but I'm going to be more aware of the time I have with family and not let me need to constantly check in on the latest news take my attention away from my kids and wife. Pretty soon I'll be wishing Isaac would ask me questions about the olden days, and I don't want to wish I'd spent more time with them instead of on social media sites. Will you reevaluate where your time and energy is spent with me?
As I was thinking about this conversation and reminiscing about my childhood and all the toys we didn't have back then...cell phones, tablet computers, computers (for my early childhood), video games, Facebook, Twitter...I wondered how I ever had any fun. How in the world did we know what was going on in the world? Then I watched the Daytona 500 last night an a driver had a special compartment made in his car so he could carry his iphone with him. Really...just in case he needs to take a call at 200 mph! Luckily for him there was a 2 hour jet fuel fire delay so he was tweeting and sending pictures all over. What broke the camel's back was the article headline I saw that read, "Our devices now own us." How true that is.
Are we better connected now then we were in the olden days? Have these devices of convenience lent us more free time, or have the invaded our lives in such a way they are consuming more time then saving? Does our need to check Facebook, Twitter, email, Pinterest take away from time we could be spending with family? I think so. Leave your cell phone at home once when you go to work or out shopping as Tracy and I both did last week. Talk about a strange feeling. We almost turned around to get them, but instead enjoyed a fairly quiet day with the boys. Quiet because we didn't have to answer to our cell phones. What would happen if you couldn't check any social media sights from 5pm to the time the kids go to bed? Do you find yourself in a better relationship with your smart device then family and friends?
I think I have been guilty of that, and I've decided to wean myself from the cell phone a social media a little bit. I'm not stopping them altogether, but I'm going to be more aware of the time I have with family and not let me need to constantly check in on the latest news take my attention away from my kids and wife. Pretty soon I'll be wishing Isaac would ask me questions about the olden days, and I don't want to wish I'd spent more time with them instead of on social media sites. Will you reevaluate where your time and energy is spent with me?
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Give it up
The season of Lent has arrived and it is time for that annual ritual of giving something up for 40 days. I've never been very good at doing this. My standard response is, "I've given up giving something up for Lent." I guess I've always thought of it as a waste of time and silly really, but I'm not so sure I can dismiss this ritual so easily any more.
Lent is about taking stock of your relationship with God (among other things). To me it is about focusing on what the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus means to me. How does the fact that the God that created everything sent his son to live and die change how I live my life? I know I need to reflect on my relationship with the Spirit more and I need to work on strengthening it, and Lent provides a kick in the pants to do so.
So this year I'm going to give something up for Lent. If you're going to give something up then it truly needs to be a sacrifice. It needs to be something that you are going to miss and you'll have a hard time going without. I know someone who always states he gives up Brussel Sprouts...I'm fairly certain I sense the sarcasm, but the point is it has to be difficult. I saw on Facebook that some people were giving up the internet from 7pm to 7am. I've also seen some people giving up Facebook and texting for a certain time during the day. I also know someone who is giving up Diet Coke, and that truly will be a sacrifice...in fact Coca Cola stock might fall from loss of sales! The point is whatever you give up has to be hard so it reminds us of the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf. Every time we choose not to have/do the thing we give up we are to be reminded of what this season is leading up to...Jesus' death and resurrection. So give up something and let it be a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and how that should/does impact your life. I'm giving up the internet/computer/cell phone from 7pm to 7am. Should give me plenty of time to reflect...will you join me?
Lent is about taking stock of your relationship with God (among other things). To me it is about focusing on what the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus means to me. How does the fact that the God that created everything sent his son to live and die change how I live my life? I know I need to reflect on my relationship with the Spirit more and I need to work on strengthening it, and Lent provides a kick in the pants to do so.
So this year I'm going to give something up for Lent. If you're going to give something up then it truly needs to be a sacrifice. It needs to be something that you are going to miss and you'll have a hard time going without. I know someone who always states he gives up Brussel Sprouts...I'm fairly certain I sense the sarcasm, but the point is it has to be difficult. I saw on Facebook that some people were giving up the internet from 7pm to 7am. I've also seen some people giving up Facebook and texting for a certain time during the day. I also know someone who is giving up Diet Coke, and that truly will be a sacrifice...in fact Coca Cola stock might fall from loss of sales! The point is whatever you give up has to be hard so it reminds us of the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf. Every time we choose not to have/do the thing we give up we are to be reminded of what this season is leading up to...Jesus' death and resurrection. So give up something and let it be a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and how that should/does impact your life. I'm giving up the internet/computer/cell phone from 7pm to 7am. Should give me plenty of time to reflect...will you join me?
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I'm Back
Whoa...almost a year since my last post! I can't guarantee that I will post every week, but I suppose I could guarantee that I won't wait almost a year to post again. I'm sitting in my office, and it's Valentine's day, and I'm pondering the relationships between men and women. No I didn't forget my sweetheart this Valentine's Day, but I'm intrigued by the different responses to this day.
I see on Facebook some elaborate displays of affection...from dates planned to sweet, if not contrived, status updates stating their undying love for their certain loved one. I have a very weird reaction to those kinds of posts, but maybe that should be a topic for another blog. I have also talked to some people about today and I've gotten two responses: 1) the day is really over blown and over-hyped (well duh!), 2) my significant other and I have stated we don't need to get each other anything for today, we don't need to waste the money. Since when is doing something nice and showing your love through flowers or a small gift of whatever a waste of money! And for you men out there...I'm sure I'm stating the obvious, but if your wife says don't get her anything get her something anyway! It doesn't have to be big, a card, heck you can save the money and make the card yourself, but you'd better get something! I don't care how long you've been married...take a little time and do something.
Hallmark may have taken over Valentine's Day, but I think it is a good time to remember just how lucky you are to be with someone. If you're single and reading this post then I apologize, but it is impossible to talk about Valentine's Day and make you feel included too. If you don't have a Valentine take the time to call a family member or a friend and let them know how much they mean to you. Also, it might do us some good to remember that we are all loved by someone much greater than creation itself. The God of the universe loves us enough to send his Son to die for us, and God loves us enough to want to be intimately involved in our lives. If that isn't a fantastic Valentine's Day reminder then I don't know what is!
I see on Facebook some elaborate displays of affection...from dates planned to sweet, if not contrived, status updates stating their undying love for their certain loved one. I have a very weird reaction to those kinds of posts, but maybe that should be a topic for another blog. I have also talked to some people about today and I've gotten two responses: 1) the day is really over blown and over-hyped (well duh!), 2) my significant other and I have stated we don't need to get each other anything for today, we don't need to waste the money. Since when is doing something nice and showing your love through flowers or a small gift of whatever a waste of money! And for you men out there...I'm sure I'm stating the obvious, but if your wife says don't get her anything get her something anyway! It doesn't have to be big, a card, heck you can save the money and make the card yourself, but you'd better get something! I don't care how long you've been married...take a little time and do something.
Hallmark may have taken over Valentine's Day, but I think it is a good time to remember just how lucky you are to be with someone. If you're single and reading this post then I apologize, but it is impossible to talk about Valentine's Day and make you feel included too. If you don't have a Valentine take the time to call a family member or a friend and let them know how much they mean to you. Also, it might do us some good to remember that we are all loved by someone much greater than creation itself. The God of the universe loves us enough to send his Son to die for us, and God loves us enough to want to be intimately involved in our lives. If that isn't a fantastic Valentine's Day reminder then I don't know what is!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Is it worse now?
I had an interesting question asked of me last Sunday in church. And no this time isn't wasn't from an inquisitive 5 year old! Someone asked if I thought there were more tornadoes and stuff this year and what I thought of all this "stuff" going on in nature. Of course I had an answer right on the tip of my tongue..."I don't really know I said."
I don't know if there have been more tornadoes this year compared to others, or if they are just hitting populated areas this time around. Of course when they hit populated areas the damage is much worse and we hear about them a lot more. And on the subject of the floods, don't get me started...for thousands of years the rivers flood and nothing happens, then the human race comes along, builds dams and levees and thinks it is control. We build on flood planes and then cry whoa is me when they flood?!?! I'm not trying to downplay the devastation this water will cause cities and especially family's, but the human race's arrogance is mainly to blame there.
I think an implied question, that wasn't overtly asked, was where is God in all of this? A question that comes up often when a disaster strikes. I wish I knew why God allowed suffering to happen at all. Wouldn't it be nicer if we lived in a perfect world where there was no suffering? I suppose we'd call that heaven. One thought is we can't know good if we don't know bad. We don't know joy if we haven't experienced suffering. Another thought says that God just set the world in motion and stays out of its affairs like a watchmaker after he/she finishes the watch. I suppose another thought would be that God is punishing the people somehow.
I'm not sure I like any of those ideas. It is intriguing to think about some of the theories out there, except the punishment one, I don't buy that at all. I think God is right there suffering with the people. I do believe God could stop any of this from happening, but for some reason, known only to God, God chooses not to intervene in that way. I see God in the volunteers that pour in to help strangers, in the stories of people giving until it hurts to help neighbors, and in the renewed sense of community that is felt during the rebuilding efforts. God is there...weeping along with families that have lost loved ones and everything. God is there...when people are reunited. God is there even when God's name is cursed for letting this happen. I can't answer why it happens, but I am confident that God has not deserted us and continues to work through us to let God's love shine through. The question as always...are we listening for the still small voice?
I don't know if there have been more tornadoes this year compared to others, or if they are just hitting populated areas this time around. Of course when they hit populated areas the damage is much worse and we hear about them a lot more. And on the subject of the floods, don't get me started...for thousands of years the rivers flood and nothing happens, then the human race comes along, builds dams and levees and thinks it is control. We build on flood planes and then cry whoa is me when they flood?!?! I'm not trying to downplay the devastation this water will cause cities and especially family's, but the human race's arrogance is mainly to blame there.
I think an implied question, that wasn't overtly asked, was where is God in all of this? A question that comes up often when a disaster strikes. I wish I knew why God allowed suffering to happen at all. Wouldn't it be nicer if we lived in a perfect world where there was no suffering? I suppose we'd call that heaven. One thought is we can't know good if we don't know bad. We don't know joy if we haven't experienced suffering. Another thought says that God just set the world in motion and stays out of its affairs like a watchmaker after he/she finishes the watch. I suppose another thought would be that God is punishing the people somehow.
I'm not sure I like any of those ideas. It is intriguing to think about some of the theories out there, except the punishment one, I don't buy that at all. I think God is right there suffering with the people. I do believe God could stop any of this from happening, but for some reason, known only to God, God chooses not to intervene in that way. I see God in the volunteers that pour in to help strangers, in the stories of people giving until it hurts to help neighbors, and in the renewed sense of community that is felt during the rebuilding efforts. God is there...weeping along with families that have lost loved ones and everything. God is there...when people are reunited. God is there even when God's name is cursed for letting this happen. I can't answer why it happens, but I am confident that God has not deserted us and continues to work through us to let God's love shine through. The question as always...are we listening for the still small voice?
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