A quick thought

Why, when we compare ourselves to others, is it always comparing ourselves to those who are more fortunate?  Wouldn’t we be a lot more thankful if we always compared ourselves to those who are less fortunate (ex. people who walk 4 miles a day to get their water)?  Just was thinking about this while doing some message prep for a youth group.

The perfect life

I’ve been lost from the blog world for a while. 

I find myself in a weird position.  I’m at a pretty cool church that gives me some great opportunities as a leader.  And there’s a chance they could keep me on staff (if they like me and I like them).  It would be a good first job.  Is it the perfect job?  Maybe; maybe not.  But it might be the perfect first job.  I think more people in my generation might feel the same way.  We want to have a job that we really enjoy, that we feel we are fulfilling our purpose, and we’re being given money for it.  But we don’t want to start at the bottom.  We don’t want to start in a position that is not our first choice.  Maybe this is that step for me.  I really do like a lot of the things I get to do at my job.  Some parts of the church aren’t my preference, but I’m surrounded by one of the best teams I have ever been a part of.  If nothing else, I’m being trained just by watching an extraordinary team.  I look forward to where God is gonna keep me.

Axiom

I’m reading a book for church called “Axiom: Powerful Leadership Proverbs.” by Bill Hybels.  I’m going to post some key sentences I read in each chapter and some of my thoughts.  Feel free to read, comment, or ignore.

1. Language Matters – p.17 – “The very best leaders I know wrestle with words until they are able to communicate their big ideas in a way that captures the imagination, catalyzes action, and lifts spirits.”  I think that’s a cool concept to be able to inspire people’s imagination and lift their spirits.

2. Make the Big Ask – p.23 – “The nature of human beings is such that we tend not to drift into better behaviors.  We usually have to be asked by someone to consider taking it up a level.”  This is somewhat true for me.  I’ve certainly stepped up and done my “best work” as a leader  when someone asked me to do something I never would have done on my own.

3. You’re Always in a Season – p. 26 – “It’s your role [as a leader] to know which season you’re in and what to do about it.”  I realize that I am always in a season in my own life and in my relationships–with my girlfriend, with my parents, with my friends.  Which season of your life are you in?  I think I might be in Winter or Spring.

5. Vision: Paint the Picture Passionately – p. 30 – “Vision – a picture of the future that produces passion in people.”  I think vision is about putting dreams in people’s minds that they themselves want to see happen.

All for now from CO.

Hey

You must leave a response to this post if you are reading this instead of working right now.

to each his own

My supervisor is having me read a book called “Think Orange: Imagine the Impact When Church and Family Collide.”  So far, it’s been pretty good.  In the first couple pages, the author (Reggie Joiner) says “Multiple expressions of the church are important in communicating God’s story to a diverse culture.”  This statement really struck me.  In the back of my mind, I’ve always thought there was a problem with all the demoninations–like the perfect situation would be one denomination–one Church.  I think that is still somewhat true, but maybe different churches have different purposes.  When YL people criticize the church, and church people criticize YL people, maybe they have different roles.  Maybe there’s not a problem with all megachurches.  Maybe they reach a certain group better than another type of church would.  What do you think? 

 I look forward to finding out more about my new church, Woodmen Valley Chapel in Colorado (woodmenvalley.org).  I’m excited to learn how they incoporate the family into their church, and why and how they do ministry the way they do.  In the meantime, I’m on a great team in Student Ministries.

Directions.

I’ve been reading the Old Testament.  Currently I’m marching through Numbers (sigh of relief for making it through Leviticus).  Yesterday I read this part about how this cloud that looked like fire encircled over the tabernacle.  When God wanted the Israelistes to stay where they were, the cloud settled.  When God wanted the Israelites to set out, the cloud lifted from the tent.  Awesome.  Is that the Holy Spirit in these current New Testament days?  I’m praying that I can see where the cloud is moving.  If You say go…

read it here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+9&version=NIV

in my head…

A road trip back to childhood.

 

One of my favorite musicians and story tellers, Andrew Peterson, wrote two adventure, fiction books.  He just released the second book of the series, titled “North! Or Be Eaten.”  This book, which I just started, is about a family, the Igiby’s, who are once again stuck in a scary, wonderful adventure.  After having their house burned down, they are now in search of the Jewels of Anneria.  The kids are just learning about their father, their inheritance, and their responsibilities.  Now they are trying to avoid not only the Fangs of Dang, but toothy cows, quill diggles, and lots of other mysterious creatures you’ll have trouble pronouncing.  In the beginning of this book we find the Igiby children in the tree house of all of our childhood dreams.  This tree house belongs to the unlikely superhero Peet the Sock Man.  Just as the children are making themselves at home in this home far from the ground, they conclude that their journey must continue.  They must continue north, to a place where hopefully they no longer have to look around every corner for a Fang of Dang—one of the few places Fangs avoid.  This is a wonderful way to share an adventurous story with friends, family, and foes.

You can find his book and music here: http://andrew-peterson.com/

money in the bank

I realized that I wanted to buy a mountain bike.  So I started reseraching what kind of bike to buy, and looked on craigslist.  After I found some good deals, I ended up buying two bikes (I’ll sell one of them) .  But after I bought the bikes, I thought that I wanted to buy a Camelbak.  So now I’ve been looking for those.  And a new headlamp.  I feel like I’m living out “if you give a mouse a cookie.”  Just because a have a few dollars to spend doesn’t mean I have to.  I need to humble myself.  I need to get my mind away from thinking about buying stuff.  I have enough stuff… and then some.  I think I’m just super forgetful.  My mind is so inconsistent.  Sometimes I think I should give my stuff away, other times I just want to add to my collection.  I want to live simply but securely I suppose.  We only need to trust in the Lord, not our stuff.

the more we have, the more we can share.

Life is good.  I have lots of toys.  Way more than I could ask for–way more than I deserve.  I was thinking today about what I’ll do after college, and where I’ll end up.  Just so you know, I have no idea as to the answers to those questions.  However, I imagine that if I end up in a different country for a little while, I will not get to take all of my toys with me (ex. scooter, nice guitar, you get the point).  Most people in other countries don’t ever get to have all these cool toys I have.  So, really, what are they worth?  If those people can be happy without them, what are they worth to me?  I know they’re just material posessions, and I’m trying to learn to not be attached to them.  I think here in the States, we’re taught to be lazy.  We build a collection of things that will hopefully and theoretically make our lives easier.  So we can clap our lights off, shake our iPod to the next song, or change the channel of entertainment we’re watching with the click of a remote.  But where is that taking us?  What are we getting accomplished?  Are these things bringing the best out in us?  For me, it’s important to think about how I spend my time and what I keep myself occupied with.  Is what I’m doing bringing me life?  Or is it just stealing my attention and opportunity to be creative?