My new Diet

Yeah, so, I'm actually starting a diet that I have to pay for, and use their "food".  I've tried so many different things in my life, but I can't seem to conquer the beast.  I go back and forth telling myself that I'm too weak to do it on my own, and that if I just had more willpower I might do better, then on the other hand sometimes we all need some help.

To be honest, it makes me feel weak to need help.  I'm usually the one who helps others, I'm usually the strong one, I'm the one who overcomes and succeeds.  Guess not this time.  So, pray for me!  Maybe that will help me stay strong and follow through.  I hate feeling like I'm not "enough".  I'm sure this feeling translates to different areas of life for different people (like ALL of us), but I hope to make it this time.  

Not a great blog, just some insight into me. . .

Caribou Community

So, I'm sitting in Caribou Coffee waiting to start a meeting, and none of the other guys are here yet.  For those of you who hate big chain stores, sorry, I didn't choose the place!  I've never been to this particular place, and it's very nice.  I remember coming here when it was a Burger King a long time ago. . .

I'm sitting here, kinda people watching, and I notice that in a room full of people, some are completely isolated, and some are completely engrossed in what I would call authentic community.  There are the people obsessed with their computers (apparently I'm part of that at the moment!), and there are friends talking over coffee and breakfast food.  Of course, there is also that annoying lady who talks way too loud and everyone wishes would leave!  There are nice comfortable chairs, and then there are the wooden chairs around too small tables.  It has a very earthy feel, and it makes me think of a family on vacation in a lodge in the Colorado Rockies.

I can't help but think this is like our families, and even like our simple church communities filled with different personalities, some loud some quiet, some social and some private.  I'm pretty sure I'm the one who talks too much (and sometimes too loudly).  In the end, though, we fit together.  We work.  We live in a beautiful blend of mess and differences and it feels like community.  I sure hope you have a community to be part of.  If you don't, feel free to check out this website, it's part of a group of simple churches that I am part of.  It feels so great to be part of something that matters, and I pray that you have that too.

Should a Christian Live in the Dark and Disorder?

I've been reading a book called, "I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt", and it's great.  There are a couple thoughts in the book that lead me to this post.

1.  "If all a Christian has to do is stay on the straight and narrow path of obedience by doing right and not doing wrong, does it really matter if Jesus is out in front or not?"  This quote from the book has really triggered a lot of thoughts for me.  How many people are doing exactly what they are "supposed" to do, yet aren't following Jesus at all?  So much of what I see in the church today is about following the rules, fitting in, and being good.  Basically, all about behavior modification.  But where's Jesus in that?  What about the person who knows they hear Jesus telling them to go into a strip club and they end up ministering to a girl (it has really happened)?  We all know you shouldn't do that, but I'm sure glad they did.  

Jesus came to the dark and disordered part of society to do His work, so why would his "prophets" today be telling us to avoid those places?  Jesus didn't go to those places to leave them dark and disordered, he brought light and order and beauty to where there was none.  Isn't this our job, too?

I also read a thought in this book that basically translates that Jesus's primary concern isn't getting you to stop sinning, it's to get you to experience His love.  The sin will probably fall away, but it isn't His focus.  I agree with this.  How many fathers' primary concern is when their kids mess up vs. making sure they know they are loved?  How much more from our heavenly Father?

I hope we are listening to Jesus, and I hope we aren't afraid to follow Him to the dark and disordered places in this world.  It's where He would have been (read that as where He is), and it's where He wants us to bring His love.

The Precious One

So, do you remember that toy?  You know, the one you couldn't live without?  The one that once you had it you carried it around everywhere?  The one that you wouldn't have given up for anything in the world, even though it was the rattiest, worn-down, overly played with toy in the house.  

Okay, now that you've got that toy in mind, stop reading for just a minute, close your eyes, and just remember how much you loved it.  Remember the fun times you had with it. . .

Are you ready?  Now, honestly, what would that toy be worth?  Whether you bought a new one or found an old one at a flea market, I'm sure it really wouldn't be worth all that much.  Still, you wouldn't have parted with it for a year's salary, or even a million bucks maybe.  Nothing could have changed how precious you thought that toy was.  The funny thing is, it wasn't precious on it's own, it was your love that made it so valuable.

Now stop and think about your own life.  I would suggest that you are way more valuable than you realize, possibly even more valuable than you think possible.  It's nothing you've done, it's the fact that God's love has made you so precious.  Maybe you don't believe in God, or that He created you with a special purpose.  That doesn't change the fact that you are precious to Him, and His love makes you more valuable than all the money in the world.  

We live in a world that tells us our worth is determined by what we do, yet I think our worth was determined before we made any choices in this life at all.  Think about that, and then bask in the love of a Daddy. . .

I Don't Know

Ever just have a day when you don't know what to say or do?  Yeah, that's today. . .

I've been doing mind numbing work (transferring data from an old computer to a new one), and now I have nothing to say.

Sorry.

No really, if it bothers you that much, then write something yourself. . .

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

We got a decent snow storm last night, maybe 4-6", so there was a decent amount of snow last night.  I don't usually wake up too early, so by the time I got up I noticed that my neighbor had already cleaned the front of my driveway where the snowplow leaves the really thick, heavy stuff.  I was overjoyed, and went outside to get started on the rest of my drive and sidewalk, and maybe some of the neighbors sidewalks.

The neighbor who was already working came over, and I just wanted to thank him, but he asked for help.  He had gotten a piece of wood stuck in his snowblower and I had tools to cut it out.  It was just neighbors helping neighbors, and it was beautiful.  

I think to how many times I just ignore a neighbor so I can get inside quickly.  It's amazing how little it takes to really care about people.  I wonder what our communities would look like if we just decided to care for others just a part of the time?

Well, my neighbor and I ended up cleaning the sidewalk of all 6 houses surrounding mine, and we cleaned 4 of the driveways.  We didn't want money or recognition (even though I'm talking about it here, shh don't tell anyone!), we just wanted to care about our community and our neighbors.  I hope you find a way to do that today, no matter how small it may be.

Religion vs. Relationship

So, I've been reading this book (click the title for a link to it) and it has some great things to say.  Here's a quote:

A lot of people are not living life fully alive because they have a religion with Jesus.  To them, it's all about believing and behaving.  Their theology is lined up right and their actions are mostly right, and so they feel like they're basically pleasing God, and they're better than most of the people around, and someday they'll probably get into heaven.  But deep inside they're empty.  The one thing their life is missing is life, because Jesus came to give life, but it doesn't come through religion.  His ultimate goal isn't to get people to believe and behave.  And so, while others experience and adventure with Jesus, they just attend church.

"I Became A Christian and all I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt" by Vince Antonucci

To be honest, I like blogging because I can share my thoughts and get feedback from others.  This time, I'm not sure I can share any thoughts beyond what the author said.  I love this passage, and hope that it makes you think about what your life is really about.  If you choose to follow Jesus, are you really experiencing life?  Do you just follow a religion?  If following Jesus doesn't make a true difference in your life, then why do it?  

  Maybe that last statement will take some people off guard, but I truly do believe in the life changing message of Jesus.  I know that when I truly follow Him, I experience life beyond what I was capable of on my own.  I hope and pray that you are able to find that as well.