Wednesday, February 8, 2012    

Our Soul Garage

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

While spending several hours yesterday cleaning out my garage (most of which I did not make a mess of) I got to thinking about how fast the garage got messy since the last time we cleaned it out. It just seems to naturally return to a messy state—with a little help from three “un-named” participants…but they only help it get there faster. As I looked around at the mess I saw missing tools, a bench full of “stuff” and a floor that was a mix of junk, trash, and miscellany.

And I wondered to myself: How did it get like this? Why did I let it go like this for so long? Now it’s so much more work than if I had kept at it. Sigh.

As I dove into the mess I got to thinking about how our spiritual life is like my garage sometimes. It’s easier to just “let it go” and not work at it so hard. But before you know it, there you stand looking at it wondering how it got to be such a mess…and why did I let it go so long? Like my garage, my spiritual life takes time and effort—and it’s best if I work at it a little at a time instead of waiting for it to get to be such a mess!

Yes, I know this isn’t a perfect analogy…but it came to mind while cleaning up the mess. When I was done I sat back and admired the cleanliness and orderliness (is that a word) of all the hard work. I wonder if Jesus does that when He’s done cleaning out our soul garage? :wink:

30.12.2008 Misc Ramblings, Spiritual Musings No Comments

My Bronco’s Prediction

Sunday, December 28th, 2008

Today my beloved Broncos hold their playoff destiny in their own hands. The announcers have said it more times than I can count, but if they win they are in and if they lose they are out. It is unbelievable that they have put themselves in this position since they were up three games on the Chargers just two weeks ago!

As an avid fan, I, of course, want them to win the game. But here’s the thing…I’m not so sure I want them to get into the playoffs. They just aren’t ready. The offense is close—very close. All they need is a little more time together. The defense on the other hand? Where to begin?!? They need help at so many positions it’s almost impossible to know where to start, but I do know that they are not a playoff caliber defense. Pick anyone who actually earned the right to be there and this defense will be picked apart by that team.

My prediction for today? I actually think they might be able to pull this one off…I think it’s going to be a close one. In the end, I think they will lose the game. The Chargers are playing their best ball right now (not great, but their best so far) and the Broncos are on a slide they can’t seem to control. I also kind of hope they lose and miss the playoffs. Whichever team makes it in will likely play the Colts at home and I’ve seen the Broncos lose to them quite enough already. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Chargers dealt the same fate!

The one wild-card today that could change the outcome of the game is Mr. Jay Cutler. If he has a great game and manages to protect the football…he might just avenge the loss to the Chargers last year and wipe this stupid look off of Mr. Rivers face…

28.12.2008 Broncos, Guy Stuff, Sports 1 Comment

A Slave to What?

Saturday, December 27th, 2008

This morning I had a powerful time with God…one of those moments that come when you least expect it. For me, these times are typically marked by God showing me how much He cares for me, but this morning was different. This morning God showed me a glimpse of my own journey with Him—He showed me a part of myself that I need to be aware of. It came from this passage:

So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you),
why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more
to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?
Galatians 4:9, NLT

I have read this particular verse I don’t know how many times…but I have never read it like I did this morning. I have been a slave to many tings in my  life…including “the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world”. What are the spiritual principles of this world? Anything that points away from God to something else…idolatry. For some it’s about money and power. For others it’s narcissism (maybe most?). For some it’s an addiction. For others it’s loneliness. The list goes on and on…

As I read this verse this morning I was captured by the first part—the fact that I know God, but more importantly, He knows me! And because I have this relationship with Him I should not be drawn back into my old pattern, my old addictions, my old life. It calls to me often. But then, so does He.

So instead of being a slave to anything in this world, I am a slave to Jesus. I am His. I belong to Him. And He knows me…He knows me better than I know myself. So I am going to cling to Him and work more and more to get to Him better and let Him know me better to.  That’s not easy because it means I have to open myself up to Him and to others…and that leaves me vulnerable. But it also leaves me open to His love.

Like I said…I belong to Him. I can’t wait to see where He leads!

27.12.2008 God's Love, Jesus, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Remembering the Greatest Present of All

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

24.12.2008 Christmas, Holiday No Comments

My New Toy: Sony Reader

Sunday, December 21st, 2008

A few weeks ago I got a brand new “gadget” after doing a little online research. It’s an electronic book reader—The Sony PRS-505 (pictured to the left). I started my research with the Amazon Kindle since it’s currently the most popular (thanks to Amazon’s popularity). I even got to see one up close and personal when a guy at work bought one and brought it in to show off.

However, during my research I came across the Sony version. After reading the reviews of both devices and comparing the feature and price I decided on the Sony Reader. I chose the Sony mainly because of the price (especially since I got mine on eBay for much less than even the discounted retail price. The Kindle does have a wireless connection for downloading books, magazines, and newspapers but I didn’t need that functionality for the additional price. The Kindle is also 13 weeks behind in delivery and Amazon is about to come out with a newer version in the beginning of 2009 (that will make some people really happy…nothing like shelling out $400 on a device that is already outdated). There were also several reviews on the Kindle that indicated the design was not exactly up-to-par yet (many who owned it said to wait for the next version…or two).

The more I read about the Sony Reader the more I liked it. It requires a PC connection (USB) to download books, but the interface is very familiar…I swear it was made by the same people who developed iTunes because it is almost identical. The controls are easy to access, the device does not have a keyboard (since you wouldn’t use it anyway) and it has the typical “Sony Style”. The reviews I read on this device were much better than the Kindle (especially since the 505 is Sony’s second generation). The screen on both devices is made by the same company so there is no difference there…and it is nothing short of amazing! It looks just like a printed page…black text on a white background. The eInk technology has come a long way! The device doesn’t use any power while the text is displayed…it only uses power to paint the screen. I purchased and charged mine three weeks ago and it still has half of the battery life left after reading two full-sized novels.

Sony also has a touch screen version of their device (PRS-700) but it is much more expensive and the touchscreen overlay does affect the screen’s image a tad (but only a tad). I expect that the eInk folks are working on the next version of their screen to include both touchscreen and a back-light, but that’s only a guess.

All in all…I absolutely LOVE this device! Is it for everyone? Nope! If you read paperbacks or only read a little bit then this device is certainly overkill and not worth the price. But if you read a lot or are a book-snob like I am (I hate paperbacks…hardbacks all the way) then this is worth every penny (or if you are a gadget hog too). Amazon’s book selection for the Kindle is a little bigger (as you would expect), but Sony’s collection is growing and they have all of the latest stuff (Amazon has some more obscure titles I don’t really care about much anyway).

If you are looking for the “net cool thing” or you read a lot I highly recommend the Sony Reader. You will not be disappointed!

21.12.2008 Hobbies, Review 6 Comments

Gaps in Our Faith

Saturday, December 20th, 2008

This is just a quick thought on a passage of Scripture I read this morning…it has my wheels turning:

Night and day we pray earnestly for you,
asking God to let us see you again
to fill the gaps in your faith.
1 Thessalonians 3:10, NLT

Paul is writing to Christians here. Persecuted Christians. Christians living out their faith in tough times. And he tells them that he wants to come see them so that he can help “fill the gaps” in their faith. A couple of thoughts here off the top of my head:

  1. I don’t often think of my faith like this…having gaps. It makes me ponder where the gaps are in my own faith.
  2. It strikes me that the remedy for these gaps, how they “get filled”, is within community. We can’t fill these gaps ourselves. We need on another to fill the gaps in our faith. This underscores just how important we are to one another.

Anyone have some thoughts to add to this one? Do you know the gaps in your own faith? Have you ever been a part of filling the gaps in someone else’s faith?

20.12.2008 Faith, Fellowship, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Friday Fodder 12-19-08

Friday, December 19th, 2008

This just might the coolest thing ever…I can’t even imagine the painstaking work and the amount of patience this takes. I am amazed that another human being not only thought of trying this…but is actually doing it.  This also gives Jesus’ “camel through the eye of a needle” imagery a new perspective. Enjoy…

Micro Sculptor

Happy Friday!

19.12.2008 Friday Fodder, Video No Comments

The Real Reward

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008

My Scripture reading this morning was in Matthew 6. In this chapter Jesus talks about giving, praying, and fasting. He even gives a little sample that we can follow. But that’s not what caught my attention this morning. This is what caught my eye:

Give your gifts in private, and your Father…will reward you.
Pray to your Father in private. Then your Father…will reward you.
Fast…in private. And your Father…will reward you.
Matthew 6:4,6,18; NLT

The obvious message here is that we need to do these things in private instead of doing them to be seeing by others…to gain the approval of God instead of men. But that’s still not what caught my attention. What struck me this morning is the last part of each of these verses—”The your Father will reward you.”

Great…but what’s the reward? Heaven? Satisfaction? A Good Feeling?

I don’t think it’s any of those things. I think the reward ties back to the idea of spending time with God “in private”…one one one…mano y mano. GOD is the reward. The reward is getting to know God and Him getting to know us. Is there any better reward on heaven or on earth?

Is that our motivation for spending time alone with God? Or are we checking a box? If I’m honest the motive a strive for is the former, but sometimes it ends up being the latter.

But I do know this….when my motive is right I do get the reward of knowing Him. :razz:

17.12.2008 Devotional, Spiritual Musings No Comments

The Source

Saturday, December 13th, 2008

I was doing a little journal reflection this week as part of my Spiritual Formations and discovered, rather quickly, that God had brought me to two very different passages this week with a very similar message:

There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy.
Psalm 43:4, NLT

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely
with joy and peace because you trust in him.
Romans 15:13

Do you think maybe God is trying to tell me something?

This morning I looked up the definition of “source”: “Any thing or place from which something comes, arises, or is obtained.” I kind of already had that in my head, but it never hurts to get some confirmation.

So I have to ask myself, where is my source for joy and hope? Where is my source for life in general? It is suppose to be God…and I think most times that is the case. But not always. Sometimes the source may even be something “noble”…but if it’s not God it just isn’t good enough. It falls short.

So this week I am focusing on this: Making sure God is my source.

13.12.2008 Devotional, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings No Comments

The Stethescope

Friday, December 12th, 2008

While this video is fun, the message is better than my typical Friday Fodder video. This was done by a church in Abilene, Texas and is based on Colossians 1:27: “For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”

The Stethescope

I am not sure that you’d hear “The Hallelujah Chorus”…I think we can do better but I’m not much of an audiophile to come up with a better song, but I am working on it.

So how about it? What song would you hear??

12.12.2008 Friday Fodder, Jesus, Video 1 Comment

Previous Entries