Thoughts on a Friday afternoon

A little catch up time on blogging since it has been about a week since I've been on here. So a few random things I've been thinking over the last several days.

• I've had several people ask what I am currently reading so here is the latest. Finished reading "The Furious Longing of God" by Brennan Manning. This is the first book that I have completely read of his (started one other but didn't finish it). I really like his very poetic, but raw writing style. Sometimes I got lost in the words he used, but the message was pretty straight forward - God intensely desires and loves you. We can tend to get wrapped up in the things in our lives and forget how much He loves and even likes us. Good book to remind you of that one important fact. Also read "A Contrarian's Guide to Knowing God" by Larry Osborne while we were in Atlanta for spring break. Parts of this book felt like I could have very easily have written it based on my own contrarian point of view. Another book I would recommend especially if you have felt you might not measure up based on what other's tell you a Christian should look like. The book breaks down some of the myths of what spiritual disciplines (like a quiet time, certain amount of time praying in the morning, etc.) are, which is a tool, but not commands that have to be followed in a certain way. Very freeing if you have grown up in the church and heard you have to do things a certain way. Really what we sometimes claim as essentials are more like helpful suggestions, not really the commands we make them out to be. Just started reading Andy Stanley's "Principles of the Path". I think this is going to be one of those books where I am thinking yeah that is common sense, but then why don't we actually live that way.
• Had a great spring break trip to Atlanta. (See Lisa's blog for more details on that.) First time I've been able to go anywhere this time of year in almost 20 years. Next year, I think I am going to try to go skiing at the end of February. Loved getting to see our family and glad that we will get see them again in a couple of months.
• Had some good conversations with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law when we were there. They are part of our community even though we don't get to talk to them as frequently as we like. My brother-in-law probably challenges my view of the church's role more than anyone else I talk to. Love that our passions are similar, but we sometimes have different perspectives. Helps me see things that otherwise I might miss.
• Asked Lisa what part of my personality I should change while we were driving down to Atlanta. Aren't you glad you don't have to put up with my questions all of the time? Feeling I want to change directions on some of my relationships and that probably starts with my personality. Still haven't landed on a definite thing yet, but I have a pretty good idea what it might be. Let the experiment begin.
• Friendships have been on my mind a lot the last week (big surprise, huh?). Haven't talked to several of my close friends in a couple of weeks and feeling disconnected from them. Another friendship has changed significantly and won't be as much a part of my day to day life. I think I am okay with this as I realize that it is just a change of season in that friendship. Still weird though.

Looking forward to getting back in the rhythm of writing more consistently again. Also have one of those feelings that there are going to be some changes coming around soon. By the way, I am one of those people who like change.

Does our focus need to change?

What do you focus on? For me I tend to see the areas where I don't measure up. I tend to spot the things in others that I might question. I want to improve who I am. I want to find my faults and work on those things. This is where I tend to camp out, but I wonder if I have it all wrong. Philippians 4:8 says "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." He doesn't say to focus on our faults, but instead to focus on things that show the characteristics of Jesus. This is where I need to be dwelling. I think it is alright to seek to improve those areas where I am lacking, but that isn't where my thoughts should stay. I need to be pursuing Jesus. Looking at the things that reflect his qualities. Seeing those things in myself and the people I encounter. What do you focus on?

God's longing

I picked up Brennan Manning's "The Furious Longing of God" yesterday when I was out running around at lunch. Several thoughts have invaded my mind just on the little bit that I have read so far. I love the title of the book. God doesn't just tolerate me, He isn't indifferent, He doesn't just accept me, He intensely longs for me. Even as I question whether the first 3 descriptions best describe some of my current friendships, I am overwhelmed by the thought of how much God desires to be with me. He not only loves me, but he likes me. I have often heard people say that they love someone even if they don't like them (which I don't know how you really do that, but that is a thought for another post), but God furiously (love that image) seeks me out because of His love and because he genuinely wants to be with me.

Another thought that struck me today as I was reading the following quote "Abba, I belong to you" was how God loves even the five minutes I spend with Him some days. I know some people who would fit the definition of a Super Christian. They wake up early and have amazing devotions with God, spend lots of time in prayer, serve selflessly, etc. (Which is awesome, but rarely, if ever, is that how I would describe myself) Most days I feel I am about as far from that as possible. But it struck me today that God longs for even those few minutes I manage some days. I was thinking about how my boys are full of energy and have very active schedules, but there are those moments when I have 5 minutes alone with one of them in the car where I get to talk to them about their day or when Jacob will sometimes slow down long enough to still snuggle up in my lap. I love those moments of being with my boys. Just to be with them. I think that is how God is too. He just wants to be with us. He longs for us even in our hectic, overly busy lives. I don't have to act a certain way nor do I even deserve it, but He calls me his son and I belong to Him. What an amazing concept!

Lessons from Lent and lunch

Don't really know a lot about Lent (my basic understanding is that it represents the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert), but decided that it would probably be good to give something up to help me focus more on Jesus. What I decided to give up isn't huge by any stretch of the imagination (soda and candy/dessert), but what I have learned is that I do a lot of things out of habit. Ordering a soda when I go the movie or when eating pizza (the times I notice it the most) for example. We can become so used to the way things are that we forget to focus on the important. Will me giving up soda or candy for 40 days change much in the bigger scheme? No, but me focusing on what God has planned for me to do might.

Lunch is one of my favorite parts of the day. Why? Because it gives me a break during the day. A chance to spend time with my wife or a friend, the chance to wander around Barnes & Noble, the chance to read a book (preferably outside) or just a chance to get away from the routine. Most days are spent running through things at work and focused on getting my job done. Not bad stuff, but not really the important stuff either. Lunch gives me a break to focus on the important stuff even if for just a little bit.

So that is what I've been learning. Sometimes we need to take a break from our routines and see things from a new perspective, especially in our spiritual lives. What thing are you taking for granted or just going through the motions on? When was the last time you took a break and saw something from a different point of view?

That thing you do

What's your personal brand? Ever thought about the fact that you have a brand? I hadn't until I read about it this morning. What is a personal brand? Basically, it is the image that people have of you. We are building it with each action we take, every word we speak, each encounter we have with someone, and the decisions we make about life. So what words would you use to describe my brand? When I come to your mind what words would you use to describe my life? Come on, play along, and help me to see if the list I want to have is the reality of the brand I am known for.

Along those same lines I was reading a question from Andy Stanley where he asked those around him in ministry to answer - "Would you help me understand the way I do things?" So that is my question to you as well. I want to challenge and encourage people, specifically leaders, but how do I do that? I do things a certain way based on who I am but I don't always realize what it is that I am doing. (Confusing? Yeah, that would be my world.) So be brave today and give me some honest feedback. Let me hear about who I am and how I do things. I really would appreciate your feedback.