Bullet point day

Lots of random thoughts the last couple of days, but no one particular topic...so that means it is a bullet point day. (This would be what a typical conversation would look like with me. Random jumps from various topics.)

• Leave tomorrow on a road trip to Atlanta for the Catalyst conference. Way excited about the entire trip. First, the road trip with two of my best friends. Should be interesting as usual when we get together. Second, staying at my brother-in-law's house (another of my close friends) which will have at total of 15 people staying there. Lots of people, which should be a blast. Third, the conference itself. Get to hear several of my favorite writers speak (Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel, etc.) and be a part of an incredible conference. Something you need to experience if you get the chance.
• Decided to try fasting for a day. I had never done this before even though I have heard it suggested multiple times. I actually liked it and will probably try it for a couple of days in the future. Any time that I felt a little bit hungry I used that as a reminder to pray about some of the things that I have been wrestling with. Good experience, but might not be for everyone.
• Being drawn to social issues in a way I have never experienced before. Combination of new people impacting my life and reading things that challenge my perspective. Good...but exhausting.
• I am seeing more and more needs every day. I think they have always been there it is just that I am actually seeing them now.
• I am learning what it looks like to have true community. As I have been reading through Acts again, I can relate to what I read described there. It is an on-going process, but once you have a taste of it you can't help but want more of it.
• Loving the weather right now. This has to be one of my favorite times of the year. Leaves starting to change colors, weather cool in the morning and at night, perfect temperature during the day - feels refreshing and things feel new to me during this time of year. Looking forward to our annual trip to the pumpkin patch and getting to go to Neewollah this year.
• Have enjoyed getting to know some new people recently. I'm not a big group type of person, but having the chance to meet lots of people in different smaller settings recently. Sad that Jake is moving to Japan and I haven't gotten to know him real well yet, but excited about the opportunity for him and know that we will still touch base between now and when he gets back.
• Feel so fortunate to have my current job. Never describe myself as an accountant (it is what I do, not who I am) and glad to finally work somewhere that have similar type people. Besides the people, I am enjoying the lack of stress which has opened up a lot more of my life.

These are the things that I think I think today. So many diverse thoughts that it makes me feel a little A.D.D. Probably won't post the next couple of days (Unless I can borrow someone's Mac while I am gone. Thinking Caleb may get his wish for a Mac notebook sometime in the future.) as I will be out of town. I am sure I will have lots of new thoughts when I get back. Have an incredible day!

OK, I get it...again (I think)

Ever have the feeling that you are suppose to be learning something, but that you are really slow at getting it? That's my life. If you have ever seen the movie "Groundhog Day", that is what my life often looks like. I make it through the day having messed it up in multiple ways and think I am so glad that day is over only to realize that the next day has the same lesson to be learned. The funny thing is that normally the lesson for me is basically the same one each time. It has different variations and comes about in different settings and circumstances, but the general idea is the same. The idea isn't that difficult to understand, it is just putting it into practice where I have the problem. I understand the theory, just not the application. The big idea? It is simply this - It isn't about me, it is about God. When it becomes about me is when the problems occur. Last night I was around several people but felt all alone. I didn't get it because there were some people there I know fairly well and usually enjoy being around. Looking back after whining to God last night about my desire to have someone to talk about the things going on, I realized I was so focused on me that I may have missed several opportunities to serve others. That is the thing. When I focus on serving Him, then the things I am struggling with he takes care of. I don't get his timing or even pretend to have a grasp on what He can do, but I do know that is where my focus needs to be. So at least for this moment, I get it again. I will probably need someone to remind me again tomorrow, but for now I am focused on serving Him.

Random Thoughts from the Weekend

Lots of random thoughts the last several days so here is a snapshot of those.

• Finished reading TIm Stevens "Pop Goes the Church" this last week. Really like the idea of leveraging pop culture to connect with people. Liked the inclusion of pratical ideas at the end of the book (websites, series that Granger has used, books, videos, etc.) and the twenty stories of twenty different churches. Also appreciated the fact that originality is not the point, but connecting with people is. Sometimes we feel we have to do something that has never been done before to be effective, but reality is sometimes we can use another idea someone else came up with and be more effective. (Of course, giving credit to the original idea.)
• You can use two pencils to set your nose if it gets broken. (Practical things to know when you have three boys. Hopefully I don't have to use this though.)
• Jesus had a playful side. Does that stretch your view of Jesus? Good discussion this morning related to the chapter titled Daring Playfulness in "Dangerous Wonder". Love the discussions that takes place in this class. Good place to wrestle with the how we live out our lives.
• Loved having our "open refrigerator" friends over. Those friends who have refrigerator rights are those "so trusted that they can walk into your home, open your refrigerator, and help themselves to a sandwich and a drink. They don't have to ask." (Idea came from Craig Groeschel's book "It") Can laugh and have fun together. Seems to fit with my concept of Jesus' ability to have fun.
• Speaking of the book "It", I feel we are on the verge of having "It" at church. There seems to be a buzz that I can't totally explain but feel some big things are close to happening. Can't define it, but you know it when you see it.
• Thinking again about getting a tatoo. (Specifically someone's fault. Won't mention any names, but you know who you are!)
• Realized I am almost twice the target age for those playing tilleyball. Sucks to be old! (Don't know what Tilleyball is? A unique game that is all the rage. Think volleyball. Think tennis. Think four square. Add them all together and a bunch of people wanting to have fun and you have the basic recipe.)
• "Stepping forward keep us from just singing. Move us into action, we must go." from Tim Hughes song "God of Justice". Basic thought for me - Quit just singing about others and get off your butt and love them.

There is a brief look into how my mind works. These are the typical thoughts, discussions and friends I have. Move forward today and love someone.

Impact

I often wonder what my impact is on other people. The reality is most of the time I don't really know. The thing that I do know is that the way I live does impact other people. Probably more than I even realize. While I was out running some errands tonight I ran into some people from my past. One of them was the parent of a kid I used to coach in soccer about 8 years ago. She preceded to give me the update of what her son is up to and that they were talking about me just the other day. Someone I invested in for a couple of years in the past is still impacted. Made me wonder what paths I am currently crossing that I might be impacting and not even realizing it. The thing that stuck me tonight was that encounters we have, every interaction with someone, even those fleeting ones that we don't pay too much attention to are leaving an impact. What kind of impact we leave is our choice. Still don't know what impact I make most of the time, but am realizing regardless of that, my life is currently leaving an imprint somewhere. What impact will your life leave on those who cross your path?

This is what passion looks like

While I was watching some college football this last weekend, I noticed the intensity that some of the fans have for "their" football team. A call goes against their team and there would be a collective sigh of exsaperation at the obviously wrong call. A touchdown scored and the fans would celebrate like they had just won the lottery. Normal people (assumption that I am making) who on the weekend see nothing strange about painting there body and faces in team colors to show their support. Willing to talk nonstop about why their team should be ranked in the top 25. This is what passion looks like.

A conversation with someone who believes very strongly in what they are talking about. They are on the edge of their seat, leaning forward, discussion focused on the point they are making. Sometimes their voice is raised as the get excited or angry about the topic. Presenting the logic of their case. Not wanting to end the conversation until you are convinced they are right. This is what passion looks like.

Loving others where they are at. Meeting the needs of people with no other agenda than the fact we are suppose to love them. Willing to sacrifice our time and resources to change someone else's current circumstances. Investing in other people's lives without expecting anything in return. This looks like the passion that I want to be know for. Do I reflect this passion? Do we reflect our love for God through the passion of loving others? What would people say you are passionate about?