Well, I didn’t get through both chapter 5 and 6 of John this morning. We only finished chapter 5, and that’s OK. Chapter 6 is challenging enough all on its own. Below, are only a few excerpts from our study.
Our group this morning spent a lot of time on discussing the thought, “do I want to be healed?” In the first part of chapter 5, Jesus heals a man who has had some type of illness for 38 years. Jesus asks the man, “do you want to be healed?” Initially, one could ask, “well, who doesn’t want to be healed?? Especially if I have been sick for long!” And I’ll be honest, that is how I took it. My gut reaction to this passage, is “why does Jesus ask Him the question?” The discussion this morning centered around this thought.
Do I want to be healed? There are things in our life that we put in front of God. For some, we even worship aspects of this world, and these are a sickness to us. So the question is then raised, do we want to be healed from these sicknesses in our body? I think part of the reason why the question is so powerful has to do with the result if we say yes. If we allow Jesus to heal us, then we actually have to get up and do something, just like the man in the passage. It would no longer be expected for him to beg for his daily living. He would now have to get a job. He would have to work. There would now be expectations from others of him. Do we want to be healed of our sicknesses, and have expectations placed on us? This line of thought is part of what it means to know Jesus.
We also talked about Jesus’ declaration of who He was. This is mainly from the passage of 5:31 – 47. We see where the religious leaders sent messengers to John, and John told them about Jesus. Jesus himself did miracles in front of them. God, written in the Old Testament, testifies about Jesus. These leaders of the law would have known this. They searched the scriptures, and those scriptures would have told them about Jesus. So the thought in our discussion this morning was raised, “they knew Jesus, they just didn’t believe Him.”
For Christians today, this should be eye opening. Do we believe what we say about Jesus? We are taught, even from an early age who Jesus is. But when is it that we actually believe Him? Belief requires action on our part. At some point we have to confront this concept. We either believe what Jesus says, and try to change our lives accordingly, or we don’t and keep living our lives the way we always have, without any attempt to become better people. If we are not careful, we will busy our lives with “good things”, and over look Jesus in our lives. We try to distract ourselves from this inevitable confrontation.
Knowing Jesus also means seeing Jesus in others. By this, I mean understanding that every person is a unique creation from God. This morning, I used the example of having to see Jesus in someone who may have abducted my child. What I mean by this is that my initial reaction should take me back to the fact that everyone is created by God. Evil exists in this world. That I truly believe. But every human being was created by God. When we look at people (EVERYONE) in this light, if nothing else, it allows us to stop and think, even for a split second, about who this person is. I am not saying I am perfect. I am saying I think that is how true Christianity starts.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Book of John
I have been studying the gospel of John recently. Its actually pretty cool. It doesn't necessarily "fit" the other gospels, and in some circles is not considered a synoptic gospel. It seems to be written to counter the teaching that Jesus was only Spirit, and not also flesh. It also has evangelistic under tones to Greek Jews. There is also some debate as to who actually wrote it. In other words, some believe the author was not the apostle John, but another "John" in later formation of the early Christian faith. In any event, the gospel of John is really quite amazing.
I am presently studying chapters 5 and 6. I have to teach on them in the morning for a men's bible study I am a part of each week. These two chapters have some really weird stuff in them. Look at what I have to deal with!
John 5:1 - 13 - Jesus heals a lame man.
Why does't Jesus heal others at the pool?
Why does he ask the man if he wants to be healed? Who doesn't want to be healed?!?
John 5:24 - "...those who listen and believe...will have eternal life."
Is there a difference in knowing and believing?
John 6:1-14 - Jesus feeds the multitude
Why doesn't Jesus just create the food? Why does He use the bread and fish from the little boy?
John 6:16-21 - Walking on water
He walks on water! How cool is that!?! Who wouldn't want to do that?!!
"...immediately the boat arrived at the their destination!" - WHAT?!?!
John 6:35 - He declares Himself the Bread of Life.
Where is He going with this?
John 6:53-58 - To me, this part is a little weird. I'll be honest. I dont' think I get it completely. "eat my flesh"? "Drink my blood"? Even if you look at the original Greek, and I am no Greek scholar, supposedly John uses verbs that are defined as a "chomping" or "chewing" action..... What?
Well, as you can see I have my work cut out for me. It seems, I may need to chew on the Word for a little bit....
I am presently studying chapters 5 and 6. I have to teach on them in the morning for a men's bible study I am a part of each week. These two chapters have some really weird stuff in them. Look at what I have to deal with!
John 5:1 - 13 - Jesus heals a lame man.
Why does't Jesus heal others at the pool?
Why does he ask the man if he wants to be healed? Who doesn't want to be healed?!?
John 5:24 - "...those who listen and believe...will have eternal life."
Is there a difference in knowing and believing?
John 6:1-14 - Jesus feeds the multitude
Why doesn't Jesus just create the food? Why does He use the bread and fish from the little boy?
John 6:16-21 - Walking on water
He walks on water! How cool is that!?! Who wouldn't want to do that?!!
"...immediately the boat arrived at the their destination!" - WHAT?!?!
John 6:35 - He declares Himself the Bread of Life.
Where is He going with this?
John 6:53-58 - To me, this part is a little weird. I'll be honest. I dont' think I get it completely. "eat my flesh"? "Drink my blood"? Even if you look at the original Greek, and I am no Greek scholar, supposedly John uses verbs that are defined as a "chomping" or "chewing" action..... What?
Well, as you can see I have my work cut out for me. It seems, I may need to chew on the Word for a little bit....
Monday, September 21, 2009
* Anniversary List
Some weeks ago Judah and I celebrated our anniversary and I had in mind a post I wanted to do in honor of that occasion, but as it often happens with me, I put it off and procrastinated until it no longer seems currently relevant. We will blame Judah for this as he arranged for my mom to come get the kids so we could have the weekend to ourselves and go visit Lake Lure/Chimney Rock North Carolina. While he was entertained by the ability to twitter from many places while there, especially the top of Chimney Rock itself - we did have a lovely time where he actually paid attention to me and not the bars on his phone.
My plan for the anniversary post was not to list the wonderful things about Judah himself but rather have it more focused on myself!!! :) Or more to the point, the things about me that Judah must put up with. After reading this list you will more fully know how wonderful he is by realizing what he must endure in his daily life...
My plan for the anniversary post was not to list the wonderful things about Judah himself but rather have it more focused on myself!!! :) Or more to the point, the things about me that Judah must put up with. After reading this list you will more fully know how wonderful he is by realizing what he must endure in his daily life...
- I am always late. I was late to the wedding and I have been late ever since. Note the reference to putting this post off until it makes no sense to bring it up. Judah is always early - ALWAYS. This makes for some interesting moments when we are going somewhere. In reality it means he is always waiting on me, but he has been known to show some grace when we arrive somewhere ridiculously early and turn to me and say "well I guess we are a little early."
- I sleep with a body pillow. A hold over from two pregnancies where laying on ones side gets rather uncomfortable. I love holding a pillow in my sleep. Judah believes that this pillow means that I take a disproportionate amount of the bed space. While I have repeatedly shown him that I am within my side - the headboard cleverly has a line in the middle that I can use as evidence of my being well away from his territory- he persists in this belief that I creep into his space. Since his perception is what he lives with and not reality he shows me great kindness by tolerating my invasion.
- I can get quite tunnel visioned when reading or watching a movie. Judah has a sixth sense about these things and frequently calls five minutes before the conclusion or sits down as I am coming to the conclusion of a chapter. After many years I am learning to close the book - without even finishing a paragraph sometimes! Judah is proud of me when I close the book but loves me anyway WHEN I ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT DO IT AND MUST FINISH THE CHAPTER.
- I am a late night snacker. Sometimes when the children are in bed I like to reward myself with some warm break and bake cookies and some milk. I know that eating late is not the best decision - but it the only way to eat food without vultures hovering over my plate. While Judah occasionally encourages us to eat healthier he generally is gracious about sharing my late night cookies.
- I like to count things. Only those who live with me would know and it can be an amazingly intrusive habit. Counting the stairs every time you go up or down, counting the deck of cards before we play... The movie company that has the image with the stars that come trailing in and form an arch - there are twenty-two. Each time that comes on the screen Judah leans over and very sweetly asks if they have changed the number? No they have not.
- I can manipulate with the best of them. Judah frequently finds himself eating at restaurants without knowing how he got there. Doesn't his wife stay at home? Shouldn't that mean he gets home cooked food upon his arrival home from work? Served by a woman in a skirt and apron and pearls and perfectly coiffed hair? Apparently not.
- I love to sleep. My husbands desire to never be late means that he can get up whenever he needs to - in order to avoid the crushing experience of being late. As being late doesn't phase me too much I sleep until the last possible second. I like to take naps, which I generally only get on Sundays now - or when I am sick. A couple months ago I had to miss my Sunday nap for a church function and Judah forsook his nap in a moment of solidarity. The next week he had a church function and I promptly went home and took a nap anyway - no solidarity for you honey.
- I hate to take medicine. I have been known to grimace through some rough pain. I have migraines and will generally take my meds for them, but not always. Judah has been known to put pills in my mouth without my permission. He can be quite rude about it really. Something about the silliness of not taking a prescription when that is the purpose of the medication in the first place - completely inefficient to avoid the drugs if it will make me feel better. Judah does love to be efficient.
- I say I'm sorry - A LOT. I am sorry for things I have no control over. Ever the efficient one Judah doesn't always see why I say I am sorry - if it wasn't my fault, I can't do anything about it, and it isn't really a negative thing anyway - why say that? Bless him - I just can't help myself. I want to do so much more that I can or should. HE must provide limits and that can make him look the bad cop in the scenario, when it really just being a good husband/father.
- I love lists. I love to 'talk about we are doing today' Let's plan our Saturday until we have wrung every moment out of it :) I can honey-do list like no one else.
- I am a procrastinator - not quite the same as being late. You can procrastinate and still be on time. I can do both - Judah finds this all very stressful. Procrastination does not lead to lateness although it looks like it does. It is a fine mind that can see the difference.
- I am a girl. Judah is a boy and therefore I do not make sense most of the time - but he claims to love me anyway!
Isn't he a good guy to put up with me?
Friday, September 18, 2009
Funerals
I went to a funeral this week. One of my uncles died from cancer. He had cancer for over a year. I met people that new my uncle for almost his entire life. Some of them had not talked to him in over 15 years. And yet, they still showed up for his funeral. Even the doctor, who was from out of town showed up. My uncle also had family members that were there that were with him almost 24 hours a day toward the end of his life. He wasn't married, nor had he ever been. He had no children. Closest relationship he had was a brother and his sisters.
Why do people come to funerals? Is it out of respect for the person that died? Is it out of respect for the family? Is it a formal way of saying good by? I remember right before they closed the casket, a guy walked through the door, down the aisle, and over to the casket. He looked at my uncle for about 5 seconds, and then turned around, and walked out. No one knew who he was!
While I was there, my mom talked about how she wanted her funeral (or lack there of). One of my aunts also chimed in, explaining her wishes. They both wanted "something simple". "Don't make a big fuss," they each agreed. They were also adamant that they did not want to be cremated, however. Something about "coming back to haunt you" rings a bell.....
My uncle had already prepared for the funeral. He had gone to the funeral home a while back, and paid for it, picked out his coffin, and even prepared the type of service (visitation schedule, length of time, etc.). I got the impression that there was some type of package selection that the funeral service provided. Kind of like plan A costs this much and provides this. Plan B costs a little more, and with you get..... I am not sure but that is my guess.
One of my other uncles did the eulogy. He talked about how "he was a good man", "gave back to the community", "loved kids, even though he didn't have any", "fun to be around", and other things that one is supposed to say at a funeral. And that is when I started thinking....
What is someone going to say at my funeral? Who would be there? What would it be like? Do I really care?
When I got home, I told a friend of mine where I had been, and he gave his condolences. He told me that he thought the best thing someone could say at a funeral was that the person who had died left behind a good name. In other words, people respected them. For me personally, I don't want someone to have to try to fit my actions into "things you are supposed to say at a funeral." I don't want people to have to try real hard to think about what to say. What would someone say at your funeral? What would your funeral look like?
Why do people come to funerals? Is it out of respect for the person that died? Is it out of respect for the family? Is it a formal way of saying good by? I remember right before they closed the casket, a guy walked through the door, down the aisle, and over to the casket. He looked at my uncle for about 5 seconds, and then turned around, and walked out. No one knew who he was!
While I was there, my mom talked about how she wanted her funeral (or lack there of). One of my aunts also chimed in, explaining her wishes. They both wanted "something simple". "Don't make a big fuss," they each agreed. They were also adamant that they did not want to be cremated, however. Something about "coming back to haunt you" rings a bell.....
My uncle had already prepared for the funeral. He had gone to the funeral home a while back, and paid for it, picked out his coffin, and even prepared the type of service (visitation schedule, length of time, etc.). I got the impression that there was some type of package selection that the funeral service provided. Kind of like plan A costs this much and provides this. Plan B costs a little more, and with you get..... I am not sure but that is my guess.
One of my other uncles did the eulogy. He talked about how "he was a good man", "gave back to the community", "loved kids, even though he didn't have any", "fun to be around", and other things that one is supposed to say at a funeral. And that is when I started thinking....
What is someone going to say at my funeral? Who would be there? What would it be like? Do I really care?
When I got home, I told a friend of mine where I had been, and he gave his condolences. He told me that he thought the best thing someone could say at a funeral was that the person who had died left behind a good name. In other words, people respected them. For me personally, I don't want someone to have to try to fit my actions into "things you are supposed to say at a funeral." I don't want people to have to try real hard to think about what to say. What would someone say at your funeral? What would your funeral look like?
Friday, September 4, 2009
* Quirky Quotes
Because I believe our readership (of which I now believe to be numbered near twenty!) is an intelligent group I will not tell you who gave me the following quote...
As we were driving along running errands today the back seat said...
"I've been thinking....Wouldn't it be great if everything were rainbows?"
Wouldn't it be great if we all saw the world that way?
As we were driving along running errands today the back seat said...
"I've been thinking....Wouldn't it be great if everything were rainbows?"
Wouldn't it be great if we all saw the world that way?
Attention
A couple of weeks ago Michelle and I were doing our thing on Sunday morning. This consisted of us leading our Kidzone Family Production, teaching the college aged, and then teaching the children's worship during our congregation's normal worship time. In general, this is a normal Sunday morning for us.
I guess I need to fill in with a little background information:
1) Our congregation was doing something a little different for 4 consecutive weeks where instead of meeting in the auditorium, we met together in our fellowship hall. We sat at our round tables, singing, praying, discussing, taking communion, listening to the sermon.
2) I just got back from a 2 week stint in China. I was a little foggy in the head....
3) We did not have all the multimedia that we usually do for children's worship.
Anyway, back to the story. Michelle and I are setting up for the kids to come back. I am focused on amping the teens up, so that they are good examples for the kids: "this is a ministry. don't be texting, sleeping, etc. focus on the kids. Even when it looks like they are ignoring you, they still look at you and think, 'that is what I am supposed to do when I am a teenager'". Michelle was getting her notes together, music files in order, and power point slides together. All of a sudden, the kids start rolling in. Needless to say, we were caught off guard. Why so soon?
A little more background: usually, we teach the children for about 30-40 minutes during our congregational worship. This particular Sunday, we had them for over an hour. It seems the worship minister, in his attempt to try to get other families to sit together decided to send the kiddies our way at the beginning of our worship service, so that there would be space for multiple families at one table. In other words, big families (multiple kids) can easily take up one table. When it is announced for the kids to go to children's worship, the kids stand up and leave, and then the parents are sitting by themselves at these very big tables. Don't get me wrong: I think this was an excellent idea. It just seems that we may have been victims of a series of unfortunate events.
Needless to say, that was a very long Sunday morning. We didn't have the proper media stuff, so we ended up doing a lot of things multiple times. I got frustrated for it taking so long (what time zone was I in anyway???). The teens were not to thrilled as well (when are we leaving to go eat???!!!). The kids could feel the tension, and they began to spiral into a state of disorder. And that got me thinking..... What is it about attention that it drives our lives so strongly?
We stand in lines for hours to see the next blockbuster hit. Movies these days go for 2.5 hours usually. We take our kids to practice. I hear the coach say, "focus!" We read books for hours at a time. We can surf the web for what it seems like days. Facebook stalking is quickly becoming a fine art. But we can easily blow a gasket when the download speed isn't mach 3. I found out last night that my cable service has a feature that lets me watch 8 football games at the same time, for free. I take my wife to a really nice restaurant and the hostess says, "it will be about 45 minutes", and I think to myself, "that's not too long...." However, I stand in line at chic-fil-a for more than 5 minutes and its like I am going to lose my religion!
Attention is very powerful. Let me explain. What we are attentive to, is where we are going to gravitate to. If you like movies, then you will set your calendar around when the blockbusters are coming out. If you love football, then you will plan your wedding (and others for that matter) around home games. if you enjoy eating out, then waiting in line for a considerable period of time for a good meal seems OK. If you are a workaholic, then sacrificing time with your family is part of providing for them. What we give our attention to, or what grabs our attention, is what is going to drive us in a particular direction.
But for some reason, I have to work at giving God my attention. I don't see myself standing in line for sermons. I don't find myself waiting in line for the next update of the NIV. Seriously. We don't have a waiting list for volunteers in our benevolence program. We have to "market" church ministries. Again, attention is a powerful thing. We decide what we are going to give our attention to.
Michelle and I have chosen to work with the children at our congregation for an indefinite period of time. This means we don't get a lot of worship services. And I'll be honest, that's OK with me right now. But at any given Saturday evening, after the kids have gone to bed, you will find us sitting in the floor of our living room listening to a podcast given by some ministry leader. While we are listening, we are editing slides for our skits the next morning, organizing media material for children's worship, or writing notes for our college class. We have forced ourselves to take in the gospel in the way that works for us presently. And let me say, I love it. A great friend of mine talks about something very similar while he drove to work the other day.
Because of our schedule, Michelle and I are finding ourselves teaching our kids while we drive down the road. We are seeing opportunities more clearly to interact with our kids with real world, up to the minute events instead of putting things off until Sunday to answer their questions. My little girl wants to know why she can feel the wind but not see it..... Discussions about bugs, turtles, pink ponys, princesses, and bionicle wars don't frustrate me. I am starting to look forward to the time right after I yell, "bedtime!" when I sit in my son's bed. Its at this point that he starts talking about God, asking me questions about stars and planets, what does "cool" mean, what does "hell" mean How does God see everything when we are on one side of the world and others are on the other side of it? I am finding I am more patient when my little girl asks if she can help hold the garbage bag while I put the cut grass into it.
What is it that is grabbing your attention right now? What would it take for you to give your attention to God? Or Give your attention to someone else in a Godly manner? What form would it look like? Maybe its more sermons, a new bible, joining a bible study on Mondays, closing your office door at lunch, learning to download podcasts to your ipod, choosing to eat lunch with someone you respect once a week, waking up an hour early, going to bed an hour early....
Right now, Michelle and I have found something that seems to work for us presently. I can't really put my finger on what "it" is, but I know that "it" is working. I am sure it will change over time. I am not concerned about it changing, as long as my attention is focused on God.
I guess I need to fill in with a little background information:
1) Our congregation was doing something a little different for 4 consecutive weeks where instead of meeting in the auditorium, we met together in our fellowship hall. We sat at our round tables, singing, praying, discussing, taking communion, listening to the sermon.
2) I just got back from a 2 week stint in China. I was a little foggy in the head....
3) We did not have all the multimedia that we usually do for children's worship.
Anyway, back to the story. Michelle and I are setting up for the kids to come back. I am focused on amping the teens up, so that they are good examples for the kids: "this is a ministry. don't be texting, sleeping, etc. focus on the kids. Even when it looks like they are ignoring you, they still look at you and think, 'that is what I am supposed to do when I am a teenager'". Michelle was getting her notes together, music files in order, and power point slides together. All of a sudden, the kids start rolling in. Needless to say, we were caught off guard. Why so soon?
A little more background: usually, we teach the children for about 30-40 minutes during our congregational worship. This particular Sunday, we had them for over an hour. It seems the worship minister, in his attempt to try to get other families to sit together decided to send the kiddies our way at the beginning of our worship service, so that there would be space for multiple families at one table. In other words, big families (multiple kids) can easily take up one table. When it is announced for the kids to go to children's worship, the kids stand up and leave, and then the parents are sitting by themselves at these very big tables. Don't get me wrong: I think this was an excellent idea. It just seems that we may have been victims of a series of unfortunate events.
Needless to say, that was a very long Sunday morning. We didn't have the proper media stuff, so we ended up doing a lot of things multiple times. I got frustrated for it taking so long (what time zone was I in anyway???). The teens were not to thrilled as well (when are we leaving to go eat???!!!). The kids could feel the tension, and they began to spiral into a state of disorder. And that got me thinking..... What is it about attention that it drives our lives so strongly?
We stand in lines for hours to see the next blockbuster hit. Movies these days go for 2.5 hours usually. We take our kids to practice. I hear the coach say, "focus!" We read books for hours at a time. We can surf the web for what it seems like days. Facebook stalking is quickly becoming a fine art. But we can easily blow a gasket when the download speed isn't mach 3. I found out last night that my cable service has a feature that lets me watch 8 football games at the same time, for free. I take my wife to a really nice restaurant and the hostess says, "it will be about 45 minutes", and I think to myself, "that's not too long...." However, I stand in line at chic-fil-a for more than 5 minutes and its like I am going to lose my religion!
Attention is very powerful. Let me explain. What we are attentive to, is where we are going to gravitate to. If you like movies, then you will set your calendar around when the blockbusters are coming out. If you love football, then you will plan your wedding (and others for that matter) around home games. if you enjoy eating out, then waiting in line for a considerable period of time for a good meal seems OK. If you are a workaholic, then sacrificing time with your family is part of providing for them. What we give our attention to, or what grabs our attention, is what is going to drive us in a particular direction.
But for some reason, I have to work at giving God my attention. I don't see myself standing in line for sermons. I don't find myself waiting in line for the next update of the NIV. Seriously. We don't have a waiting list for volunteers in our benevolence program. We have to "market" church ministries. Again, attention is a powerful thing. We decide what we are going to give our attention to.
Michelle and I have chosen to work with the children at our congregation for an indefinite period of time. This means we don't get a lot of worship services. And I'll be honest, that's OK with me right now. But at any given Saturday evening, after the kids have gone to bed, you will find us sitting in the floor of our living room listening to a podcast given by some ministry leader. While we are listening, we are editing slides for our skits the next morning, organizing media material for children's worship, or writing notes for our college class. We have forced ourselves to take in the gospel in the way that works for us presently. And let me say, I love it. A great friend of mine talks about something very similar while he drove to work the other day.
Because of our schedule, Michelle and I are finding ourselves teaching our kids while we drive down the road. We are seeing opportunities more clearly to interact with our kids with real world, up to the minute events instead of putting things off until Sunday to answer their questions. My little girl wants to know why she can feel the wind but not see it..... Discussions about bugs, turtles, pink ponys, princesses, and bionicle wars don't frustrate me. I am starting to look forward to the time right after I yell, "bedtime!" when I sit in my son's bed. Its at this point that he starts talking about God, asking me questions about stars and planets, what does "cool" mean, what does "hell" mean How does God see everything when we are on one side of the world and others are on the other side of it? I am finding I am more patient when my little girl asks if she can help hold the garbage bag while I put the cut grass into it.
What is it that is grabbing your attention right now? What would it take for you to give your attention to God? Or Give your attention to someone else in a Godly manner? What form would it look like? Maybe its more sermons, a new bible, joining a bible study on Mondays, closing your office door at lunch, learning to download podcasts to your ipod, choosing to eat lunch with someone you respect once a week, waking up an hour early, going to bed an hour early....
Right now, Michelle and I have found something that seems to work for us presently. I can't really put my finger on what "it" is, but I know that "it" is working. I am sure it will change over time. I am not concerned about it changing, as long as my attention is focused on God.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
* Sustaining
This past month has been an extra specially large dose of new beginnings. New grade in school for the youngest boy in the house, a new job for the oldest boy, the kickoff for our KidZone program, , a new (small) job for mom at the church preschool, new service projects for the college ministry...
All that excitement for something new has been percolating in and out of our days. The boys were so pumped about their first days, the college kids were at dinner last night and talked with such intelligence and fire about their upcoming days with the inner city church, we have had tons of planning for KidZone (I even tie dyed for the first time last week with another mom who has been so instrumental in our awesome new sets) NEW, NEW, NEW.
In my numbery way I was looking at the history of our blog posts. (Although I restrained from actually counting mine vs Judah's) I noticed that in our first few months we averaged in the low to mid teens in posts, generally three a week. You will note that we are now at half that number. Where did all the excitement go? Surely I still have something interesting to add? Profound words to throw out to the Internet? Adorable anecdotes that highlight the clear supremacy of my children's preciousness over everyone else's?
Alas, the blog is suffering from what school suffers from in March, April & May. A waning of excitement/enthusiasm. A lack of a sustainable source of energy. (Although I will point out that other blogs that I love have been known to go months without posting - you know who you are- so if I judged myself based on the performance of others I would still be alright) When I noticed the numbers I was struck by the difference - I did not however analyze them to see if the change was statistically significant. I left statistics behind in college and have happily never looked back - let Judah play with the numbers - that boy can chart anything.
I began to think about what school, jobs, service, and ministry was going to look like in a few months when the excitement wears off and the energy must come from a sustainable source, not adrenaline. Although I can not speak for my son's energy source for school I did make a conscious choice to be aware of where I was getting my energy to sustain those things I care about.
Am I running on pride, or sense of accomplishment? Those will not carry me as far as love and submission to the will of The One who laid the path. Submission and sacrificial love are not glamorous and not likely to boost the adrenaline like a nice dose of personal glory will, but I am thinking they will carry me farther in the long term. And while I am sure I will mess up - A LOT - I am now going to consciously think of the sustainable energy sources I am using to get through my days.
What energy sources are you using in your day?
All that excitement for something new has been percolating in and out of our days. The boys were so pumped about their first days, the college kids were at dinner last night and talked with such intelligence and fire about their upcoming days with the inner city church, we have had tons of planning for KidZone (I even tie dyed for the first time last week with another mom who has been so instrumental in our awesome new sets) NEW, NEW, NEW.
In my numbery way I was looking at the history of our blog posts. (Although I restrained from actually counting mine vs Judah's) I noticed that in our first few months we averaged in the low to mid teens in posts, generally three a week. You will note that we are now at half that number. Where did all the excitement go? Surely I still have something interesting to add? Profound words to throw out to the Internet? Adorable anecdotes that highlight the clear supremacy of my children's preciousness over everyone else's?
Alas, the blog is suffering from what school suffers from in March, April & May. A waning of excitement/enthusiasm. A lack of a sustainable source of energy. (Although I will point out that other blogs that I love have been known to go months without posting - you know who you are- so if I judged myself based on the performance of others I would still be alright) When I noticed the numbers I was struck by the difference - I did not however analyze them to see if the change was statistically significant. I left statistics behind in college and have happily never looked back - let Judah play with the numbers - that boy can chart anything.
I began to think about what school, jobs, service, and ministry was going to look like in a few months when the excitement wears off and the energy must come from a sustainable source, not adrenaline. Although I can not speak for my son's energy source for school I did make a conscious choice to be aware of where I was getting my energy to sustain those things I care about.
Am I running on pride, or sense of accomplishment? Those will not carry me as far as love and submission to the will of The One who laid the path. Submission and sacrificial love are not glamorous and not likely to boost the adrenaline like a nice dose of personal glory will, but I am thinking they will carry me farther in the long term. And while I am sure I will mess up - A LOT - I am now going to consciously think of the sustainable energy sources I am using to get through my days.
What energy sources are you using in your day?
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