It's what makes games so much fun. Type doesn't matter, it can be a board game, or even a video game, but when you're playing a game you can always just start over. It's as simply as pressing the on/off button, or clearing the board, saying restart and poof, let's try this again. And sure, maybe your bummed because you can't get past the current level, or maybe it's that you're playing Uno, you can't get the right color and the draw four never reaches your hand. Whatever the case, shoot, just start over, no big deal.
Life, and no, I'm talking about the board game, or the cereal, but hold up wait, the cereal. I could go for some of that right now. As a kid, I always loved the cinnamon flavored life. Oh boy, that was some good stuff. Oh shoot, now i'm talking cereal and I better stay focused or I'll start asking if y'all like the orignal Cheerios or Honey Nut Cheerios better? Really, answer that...ok just kidding.
In real life, we have to endure the struggles, realizing that these things, in the end, will only make us better-stronger people. I'm horrible at this realization, I role my eyes and think oh boy, here we go again. When, or will this ever get easier. I know what I want, where I want to go, but, well, its not about me or what I want. Father, what is it that you want for me. I can keep playing this game, always in need of the on/off switch, always needing to restarte. And really, that's great about our friend Jesus Christ, in that he's always here with open arms allowing us a restart in him. I just know that i'm ready to start that difference making, being that person that isn't reliant on the restart. This isn't a game, this is a life and I proudly and with confidence, want to always be representing my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
It's when in that game, I can just restart, but in life, there needs to be a reliance on my faith. Do I have faith? Well if I do, then I need to show it! When Jesus calmed the storm, he asked his disciples, "Where is your faith?" So yes, trials might be hard and challenging, but I know that Jesus will never put me in a situation in which I can't overcome, win, defeat that which is trying to bring me down. In fact, we're told in Luke 1:37 "For nothing is impossible with God." When that challenge comes, and I know it will, hello, nothing, absolutely nothing is impossible with our, my God!
But I know that I need to have a much-much greater faith. "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the in days of old earned a good repuation." In Hebrews 11 I am reminded about great examples of faith, and it's time that I stop looking for that refresh button in life, step up to the plate and show God that yes, I know that with him I can do anything. And maybe I need to flip back to one of my favorite verses in Psalm to remember that with the faith and patience, those are things i'm told it takes for me to hear what exactly Christ has for me. Psalm 37:7 tells me, "Be still in the presences of the Lord, and wait patiently for himn to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes."
Please father, use me! May my faith be be grounded in you!
By the way, nothing beats a good bowl of the Original Cheerios. I didn't say you couldn't add some jazz to the bowl....do what you gotta do!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
This Little Light of Mine...
Maybe it's actually happened, but i've never seen, or heck, i've never heard of a community that exist from a solo unit. Sorry, I got a little nervous there about that statment, but after talking to my bud Webster, I found some words that show me yes, a community takes the gathering of more than just one individual.
A community is a unified body of individuals, peeople with common interest living in a particular area, an academic community or joint ownwership-participation.
So basically, you aren't a community, but you & you, and oh wait, you over there, you too, with all of y'all, yes, we've got ourselves a community.
I was even told this back in the day. It was my freshman year, or wait, actually it was my sophmore year @Southern Adventist University. SAU is a great school, however, it's true, you've gotta attend so many worships each semester. At the time I was dating this girl who was living on the OBT, Orlando, Florida. I felt that our worships that took place via the phone, they should be counted toward my worship total. Makes sense, right?
Shoot, i'm glad that y'all agree with me. Well, Dean Negron didn't, and unfortunantly that's all that mattered. And while yes, there was more than just one person involved in our worships, I was directed into the gospel, Matthew 18:20.
It's here that we're taught, "For when two or three gather togther as my followers, I am there among them."
And no, I didn't get it then and while leaving his office on that day, i'm pretty for sure that my muted response was "yea, whatever!!" (I'm pretty for sure I had to pay a chapel fine that semester for missing to many worships)
But now, yea, I think I get it, or at least i'm growing closer to better understanding all of this.
Sure, in one way or another, i've always been a part of a community. Now I'm not saying that all these communities were good ones, cause they weren't, but i'm saying I get this whole community thing. I am thankful that my Lord and Savior has allowed me to leave those communities, but to join another where he's an active member.
While we all may not be close in regards to miles apart, i've been blessed with great God loving, fearing friends for my community.
We've got what you couldl say is a very good and positive synergy going on. Synergy refers to a combined or cooperative action, function.
I've now been blessed with having wonderful people in my life. They were always there, but before I wasn't looking, I didn't care.
It's now, because I feel something different with this energy, a true love, that I hold them dear to my heart. Because were with Christ, we're building an amazing team of believers. We're a part of this amazing community because we understand what Christ is talking about in Matthew 5:13-16. As a group, together physically or apart, we're able to bring a special flavor to the world around us. But remember, not as individuals but as a team, 'together.'
We've all got that light shining ability. I pray that our lights shine so that eventually, our brightness is combined with others, while the darkness is then pushed out. That our lives will reflect that childhood jingle, this little light of mine, i'm gonna let it shine!!!
A community is a unified body of individuals, peeople with common interest living in a particular area, an academic community or joint ownwership-participation.
So basically, you aren't a community, but you & you, and oh wait, you over there, you too, with all of y'all, yes, we've got ourselves a community.
I was even told this back in the day. It was my freshman year, or wait, actually it was my sophmore year @Southern Adventist University. SAU is a great school, however, it's true, you've gotta attend so many worships each semester. At the time I was dating this girl who was living on the OBT, Orlando, Florida. I felt that our worships that took place via the phone, they should be counted toward my worship total. Makes sense, right?
Shoot, i'm glad that y'all agree with me. Well, Dean Negron didn't, and unfortunantly that's all that mattered. And while yes, there was more than just one person involved in our worships, I was directed into the gospel, Matthew 18:20.
It's here that we're taught, "For when two or three gather togther as my followers, I am there among them."
And no, I didn't get it then and while leaving his office on that day, i'm pretty for sure that my muted response was "yea, whatever!!" (I'm pretty for sure I had to pay a chapel fine that semester for missing to many worships)
But now, yea, I think I get it, or at least i'm growing closer to better understanding all of this.
Sure, in one way or another, i've always been a part of a community. Now I'm not saying that all these communities were good ones, cause they weren't, but i'm saying I get this whole community thing. I am thankful that my Lord and Savior has allowed me to leave those communities, but to join another where he's an active member.
While we all may not be close in regards to miles apart, i've been blessed with great God loving, fearing friends for my community.
We've got what you couldl say is a very good and positive synergy going on. Synergy refers to a combined or cooperative action, function.
I've now been blessed with having wonderful people in my life. They were always there, but before I wasn't looking, I didn't care.
It's now, because I feel something different with this energy, a true love, that I hold them dear to my heart. Because were with Christ, we're building an amazing team of believers. We're a part of this amazing community because we understand what Christ is talking about in Matthew 5:13-16. As a group, together physically or apart, we're able to bring a special flavor to the world around us. But remember, not as individuals but as a team, 'together.'
We've all got that light shining ability. I pray that our lights shine so that eventually, our brightness is combined with others, while the darkness is then pushed out. That our lives will reflect that childhood jingle, this little light of mine, i'm gonna let it shine!!!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Double Dare
When my sister and I were kids, living in the limestown town of Bedford, Indiana, we loved the game show Double Dare. You got to play all these cool games, earning points, and by being victorious you made it to the final round, The Obstacle Course. In fact, we loved the same so much that we'd go to our backyard and make our own Obstacle Course. Challenges, at least in our game, give us more, please, we loved 'em.
When it comes to listening, following the will or our Lord and Savior, why's it then that the challenges become frustrating, obstacles are no longer bringing that joy, laughter and excitement. It's in real life, when i've overcome the challenge, I want some sort of down time, I certainly don't want another, not yet.
In Mark 2, were told a story where friends of a paralyzed man, find a house where Jesus is. They know, because of realy faith, that if they can just see him, to touch their friend, he could be healed, to walk again. Challenged, yes, defeated, no. You see when they got to this house, it was a standing room only event, "sold out." It didn't stop them, they looked for another way to meet this man Jesus. So they do whatever they can, they meet the challenge and yes, they succeed. They cut a hold in the roof of the house, lowered him in, and when Jesus saw this, it was simple, 'stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!' How cool is that? Because of their unwillingness to let the challenges beat them, they made it through an obstacle course, but, instead of winning a video game, their friend could walk again.
But I struggle, the challenges stack up and I quickly turn in fear. Its Gods voice I am listening for, but what if I can no longer hear, him. But maybe, just maybe, its because of all the distractions I can so quickly place in my life, I can't hear him like I need to hear him. Like it says in 1 Thessalonnians 4:11, "Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed." To better understand the challenge, the course that he's given, perhaps I need that sense of "quiet," where the world isn't constantly overtaking my thoughts and direction. Instead, Jesus, he's the one I'm listening to, no doubt about it.
And shoot, I gotta laugh...when my sister and I painted our slide with peanut butter, making it a challenge to reach the stop, yea, those were some fun times. It isn't fun, however, painting my life with things that make it a challenge to reach the top, where God's at, patiently, waiting.
When it comes to listening, following the will or our Lord and Savior, why's it then that the challenges become frustrating, obstacles are no longer bringing that joy, laughter and excitement. It's in real life, when i've overcome the challenge, I want some sort of down time, I certainly don't want another, not yet.
In Mark 2, were told a story where friends of a paralyzed man, find a house where Jesus is. They know, because of realy faith, that if they can just see him, to touch their friend, he could be healed, to walk again. Challenged, yes, defeated, no. You see when they got to this house, it was a standing room only event, "sold out." It didn't stop them, they looked for another way to meet this man Jesus. So they do whatever they can, they meet the challenge and yes, they succeed. They cut a hold in the roof of the house, lowered him in, and when Jesus saw this, it was simple, 'stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!' How cool is that? Because of their unwillingness to let the challenges beat them, they made it through an obstacle course, but, instead of winning a video game, their friend could walk again.
But I struggle, the challenges stack up and I quickly turn in fear. Its Gods voice I am listening for, but what if I can no longer hear, him. But maybe, just maybe, its because of all the distractions I can so quickly place in my life, I can't hear him like I need to hear him. Like it says in 1 Thessalonnians 4:11, "Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed." To better understand the challenge, the course that he's given, perhaps I need that sense of "quiet," where the world isn't constantly overtaking my thoughts and direction. Instead, Jesus, he's the one I'm listening to, no doubt about it.
And shoot, I gotta laugh...when my sister and I painted our slide with peanut butter, making it a challenge to reach the stop, yea, those were some fun times. It isn't fun, however, painting my life with things that make it a challenge to reach the top, where God's at, patiently, waiting.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Do you know me, really?
It's really interesting when the things i'm reading, especially when it's from the bible, all have the, or close to the same idea. Yes, these types of things can be easy to plan. If you're desire is to read about the Cinderalla story, outside of Disney, you can find many stories like this during the NCAAs' March Madness. If my wish is to show my students the idea of sharing in my classroom, I can easily find books that show this concept in its stories. Heck, I can even get 'em a song about that, thanks Jack!
Recently in the bible, one things clear, do you know Me? At least in some of the stories i've been reading he's asking, really....do you know Me? In fact, I think he's asking not only do you know me, but do you even know what I look like?
Garrison Keillor has become one of my favorite voices to listen to over the radio. His literature is especially great, and his poetry has a strong voice pressence. I could be scrolling through my radio dial hear the dry wit that comes from his voice, and without a doubt stop and listen. I know him and his voice is obvious. And shoot, i've seen pictures of him. I don't know, however, if i'd really know who he was if I passed him while wandering through an airport terminal. Who knows, maybe i've walked past Keillor before, I've flown through his home state of Minnesota many times.
Most importantly, do I know God? Earlier in Mark 6, I'm given thought of how many times has he approached my boat to help? Of those times, how many times have I not known it was him, instead running in fear? I was also recently reading through Matthew 25 and Jesus talks about our not feeding him, noticing him. So today, John 4 introduced me to the lady at the water well. It's at the 26th verse of the fourth chapter I have to ask myself, "am I the woman at the well?"
You see, Jesus is looking for people who worship him in spirit and in truth. This lady thought, just like me, that she knew Jesus. In verse 25 she says, "I know the Messiah is coming--the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." It's in the next verse, the 26th that I wonder if I know him well enough. Jesus responds to her by saying, "I am the Messiah."
Say what? She was talking to Jesus, the Messiah, and she didn't even know it? Hadn't she Googled his image yet? Ooops, nevermind! But I have, I've seen his picture and still I must ask, how many times have I simply passed him by?
Sure, I think I know Jesus but how many times has he come to help, or asked for water and I turn away not knowing it was him. How quickly do I then turn to speak about my friend, my saviour, my JC? All the while he sits there, I think, arms wide open and while in disbelief saying, "I who speak to you am he?"
I'm sorry Jesus, I don't know you well enough, i've become to comfortable and so many times I know, i've passed you in that terminal and simply kept walking.
These stories are happening for a reason. Jesus is asking me, really son, how well do you know me? How well do you wanna know me? It's one thing to have read my words, to have heard my voice, but do you know me when you see my face? Jesus, I really need to know you, really.
I can only imagine the kind of joy I would experience if I not only read his word and heard his voice, and now, to really see his face, amazing, i'm sure of it.
And who knows, perhaps next time I fly back to Tennessee i'll make sure to have a stop in Minneapolis. I'll look and if I get lucky, maybe i'll see Garrison. But really, that doesn't matter and for the long term, that's not going to change my life.
To see Jesus, in all those ways? Yes, for not just the short term but long term as well, yes, that will be complete.
Recently in the bible, one things clear, do you know Me? At least in some of the stories i've been reading he's asking, really....do you know Me? In fact, I think he's asking not only do you know me, but do you even know what I look like?
Garrison Keillor has become one of my favorite voices to listen to over the radio. His literature is especially great, and his poetry has a strong voice pressence. I could be scrolling through my radio dial hear the dry wit that comes from his voice, and without a doubt stop and listen. I know him and his voice is obvious. And shoot, i've seen pictures of him. I don't know, however, if i'd really know who he was if I passed him while wandering through an airport terminal. Who knows, maybe i've walked past Keillor before, I've flown through his home state of Minnesota many times.
Most importantly, do I know God? Earlier in Mark 6, I'm given thought of how many times has he approached my boat to help? Of those times, how many times have I not known it was him, instead running in fear? I was also recently reading through Matthew 25 and Jesus talks about our not feeding him, noticing him. So today, John 4 introduced me to the lady at the water well. It's at the 26th verse of the fourth chapter I have to ask myself, "am I the woman at the well?"
You see, Jesus is looking for people who worship him in spirit and in truth. This lady thought, just like me, that she knew Jesus. In verse 25 she says, "I know the Messiah is coming--the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." It's in the next verse, the 26th that I wonder if I know him well enough. Jesus responds to her by saying, "I am the Messiah."
Say what? She was talking to Jesus, the Messiah, and she didn't even know it? Hadn't she Googled his image yet? Ooops, nevermind! But I have, I've seen his picture and still I must ask, how many times have I simply passed him by?
Sure, I think I know Jesus but how many times has he come to help, or asked for water and I turn away not knowing it was him. How quickly do I then turn to speak about my friend, my saviour, my JC? All the while he sits there, I think, arms wide open and while in disbelief saying, "I who speak to you am he?"
I'm sorry Jesus, I don't know you well enough, i've become to comfortable and so many times I know, i've passed you in that terminal and simply kept walking.
These stories are happening for a reason. Jesus is asking me, really son, how well do you know me? How well do you wanna know me? It's one thing to have read my words, to have heard my voice, but do you know me when you see my face? Jesus, I really need to know you, really.
I can only imagine the kind of joy I would experience if I not only read his word and heard his voice, and now, to really see his face, amazing, i'm sure of it.
And who knows, perhaps next time I fly back to Tennessee i'll make sure to have a stop in Minneapolis. I'll look and if I get lucky, maybe i'll see Garrison. But really, that doesn't matter and for the long term, that's not going to change my life.
To see Jesus, in all those ways? Yes, for not just the short term but long term as well, yes, that will be complete.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
How many times have you been in that boat??
At the end of Matthew 28:20, we are told to "be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." He says always, but really, how many times has he been there and I've failed to recognize him, just like the disciples failed to recognize him in the book of Mark. There, in the sixth chapter, we hear a story of their having struggles controlling their boats because of wind and rain.
I wanna make that "boat" our lives. How many times have we gotten into some situations, we're getting pushed around by the storms in life and because we're humans, perhaps our idea is that we can do this on our own. Our God and creator, he takes note of this and he, by his own will, he steps forward to help and we get all frazzled and we don't even recognize him. Our creator just wants to help, lead us away form the storm, directing us with his right hand to victory. And just like he said in Matthew, "I am with you always," in Mark he's backing up that statment by saying, "don't be afraid, take courage, I am here."
Trust me when I say that I am also speaking to myself by saying this: always rememeber that in whatever the situation, Jesus wants to be apart of our situation. He's a loving man, allow him in! I just pray that my heart isn't so hard that I'm not allowing just that.
Let's not be afraid when its our Creator and Savior, walking toward our lives, to help, to love...unconditionally. God bless!!
I wanna make that "boat" our lives. How many times have we gotten into some situations, we're getting pushed around by the storms in life and because we're humans, perhaps our idea is that we can do this on our own. Our God and creator, he takes note of this and he, by his own will, he steps forward to help and we get all frazzled and we don't even recognize him. Our creator just wants to help, lead us away form the storm, directing us with his right hand to victory. And just like he said in Matthew, "I am with you always," in Mark he's backing up that statment by saying, "don't be afraid, take courage, I am here."
Trust me when I say that I am also speaking to myself by saying this: always rememeber that in whatever the situation, Jesus wants to be apart of our situation. He's a loving man, allow him in! I just pray that my heart isn't so hard that I'm not allowing just that.
Let's not be afraid when its our Creator and Savior, walking toward our lives, to help, to love...unconditionally. God bless!!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Sestina
Amigos
Fooled? Yea. I came in with this lofty hope of having fun.
I’m not saying there wasn’t some joy, but those moments were short.
You see, while we ran, dam in our rear view, it was that water.
It just wouldn’t go away! It appeared to flow with our every mile.
Looping to the left, finally, the water no longer with our every step.
Oh, but here it comes again, this had better make me stronger.
The Veterans Memorial bridge we cross. They made us stronger!
Did they gripe and complain? I doubt they did it for the fun.
Abuelo, he just did it. Defending was the purpose of his constant step.
Unlike our mini trainings, his time of defense wasn’t done in short.
Over the years, wow, what’s his final count of foreign miles.
And while I wanted more of it, I’d guess he was tired of it, water.
Maybe it did make weak, but the friends told me to drink, water.
And because he’s a doctor, drinking it made me feel stronger.
Sight of it no, taste of it yes, either way, water stalks my every mile.
And I know with every step, closer to the finish, closer to the fun,
Donuts. It’s our running tradition, and yes, in our running shorts.
Butt in chair, donuts in hand, finally no reason to step.
Regardless, laces were knotted and you were required to take another step.
And while you pushed harder, sweat rushed down your face like water.
There wasn’t any give up, and no, this run needn’t be short.
The hills you would be facing wouldn’t melt, you had to be stronger.
Keeping that finish line in mind, yes, just maybe then we’ll all have some fun.
We’ll all be done. Finished, done completely with 13.1 miles.
Reality, check please. We’re nowhere close to our final mile.
And so dam, here we go again. Though finally closer to that finished step.
As we move into the distance, how can’t I see the fun?
No better group of friends will ever race past this dam water.
That is why we run. It makes our friendship stronger.
It’s our friendships, unlike these runs, not at all short.
The quick and short of it’s this; these runs will only make our friendships, that much stronger.
We’ll always find a way, with each new “mile,” to continue, to always push on to the next,
And with each step, we’re that much closer, to that liquid, that water of life.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Really...
I dunno, but there, this time, was just something different. And while yea, the crowd was different, really, it was the same. No, but this time, instantly, you could feel it, the differnce was automatic. What had changed? I dunno, how 'bout hmmm, nothing. But yea, seriously, this carried with it the defintion of different.
Ya know what, the wide open feeling I felt then is the same I feel, doing my thang, on the move; just run, baby, just run. When doing my thing, gosh, it can be such a pain, literally! Remember, self, been there before, will be here again, just do it!
With that thang, quite frankly it's quite humorful, or wait, shoot--humorous! Bringin with it, a swagger, when my focus, mind set, shifts and attempts a focus on what can't, shoot, do it baby, let's get it on! If I look at you long enough, i'll most certainly refrain, but if only looking at what I can, the hills, their tops, most certainly i'll gain.
Focus on the can't, you won't! Never worry about what you see in the distance, regardless of its closeness. Instead, worry about that current, motion and stride. And what you want, from what you see, it will be, when you no longer worry about what it can't be, current.
And with that, it all becomes relavent. Sitting there, same story, same scene, it's really all the same as I track across the same path that I continue doing, over & over, again & again. It's this, at least this is what I suppose it to be.
There's no perfect part of me, but this time, yes this time, i've got the joy-joy-joy-joy down in my heart. Before, heck, I just thought I had to have it. It was all about me, and what I had to have. Since that first, i've got a new friend, and a friend that makes the me a we.
What's sad is that I fight off, at times, this new purpose i've found with and for in life. I sit, and I run, with a newly found confidence. A confidence that will so easily, work itself away if I don't want it. But we, we need it, and while at times I fight it, i'll keep it and please Jesus, don't let me go. Not only do I love you, I need you, really.
Ya know what, the wide open feeling I felt then is the same I feel, doing my thang, on the move; just run, baby, just run. When doing my thing, gosh, it can be such a pain, literally! Remember, self, been there before, will be here again, just do it!
With that thang, quite frankly it's quite humorful, or wait, shoot--humorous! Bringin with it, a swagger, when my focus, mind set, shifts and attempts a focus on what can't, shoot, do it baby, let's get it on! If I look at you long enough, i'll most certainly refrain, but if only looking at what I can, the hills, their tops, most certainly i'll gain.
Focus on the can't, you won't! Never worry about what you see in the distance, regardless of its closeness. Instead, worry about that current, motion and stride. And what you want, from what you see, it will be, when you no longer worry about what it can't be, current.
And with that, it all becomes relavent. Sitting there, same story, same scene, it's really all the same as I track across the same path that I continue doing, over & over, again & again. It's this, at least this is what I suppose it to be.
There's no perfect part of me, but this time, yes this time, i've got the joy-joy-joy-joy down in my heart. Before, heck, I just thought I had to have it. It was all about me, and what I had to have. Since that first, i've got a new friend, and a friend that makes the me a we.
What's sad is that I fight off, at times, this new purpose i've found with and for in life. I sit, and I run, with a newly found confidence. A confidence that will so easily, work itself away if I don't want it. But we, we need it, and while at times I fight it, i'll keep it and please Jesus, don't let me go. Not only do I love you, I need you, really.
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