September « 2009 « Journeyman Journal

Suffer and Work

Monday, September 21st, 2009

Over the past few weeks I have been reading through 1 and 2 Timothy. There is some great instruction there from a seasoned veteran of the faith to relative newcomer to the hardship (and rewards) of ministry. Given my current station in life and wait awaits me in the near future, much of Paul’s words to Timothy are encouraging and instructive.

This morning…instructive, not so encouraging…

Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord.
Work at telling others the Good News,
and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
2 Timothy 4:5, NLT

I don’t think Paul understands how we American Christians function. Suffer? I don’t think so…just need to pray harder or figure out what we’re doing wrong. If we’re suffering…something must be wrong. And we don’t really suffer much anyway…can’t remember the last time I really suffered for God (especially within the context of what Paul considers suffering).

This whole idea of suffering…and not being afraid to suffer for His Kingdom…has me thinking about how I pray. I pray too much for my own comfort. I search for it…I strive for it. Frankly, I’m afraid of being uncomfortable, much less suffer. But there it is, in black and white: Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord.

And I can make no mistake…He was talking to me this morning. Who knows what He has around the corner…what He’s trying to prepare me for…but I’m in His hands and I will continue to work and carry out the ministry He has given me.

That’s in black and white too.

21.09.2009 Devotional, Spiritual Musings No Comments

It’s a Test

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

These people were left to test the Israelites—
to see whether they would obey the commands
the Lord had given to their ancestors through Moses.
Judges 3:4, NLT

I don’t know about you, but I have people in my life that serve this very purpose. All they seem to do is cause conflict in my life…perhaps God has placed them in my life as a test, to see if I’ll obey His commands to love others more than myself?

It’s a test.

I’m not sure that I always pass the test (actually, I know I don’t). I may need to go back and do some more preparation for this test. The Israelites failed the test…miserably (Judges 3:5-6).

What do you think? Does God put people in our lives as a test of our obedience? How about circumstances? Can you think of examples in your life right now that fit this pattern?

Are you passing the test…?

16.09.2009 Spiritual Musings 3 Comments

My Broncos Prediction

Friday, September 11th, 2009

Football is officially back (great game last night…gonna see both of those teams in the playoffs). Yesterday, Grant beat me to the punch by posting his 2009 Broncos prediction. The schedule this year is not kind to my beloved Donkeys…not exactly what McD and Company needs, but you play the cards you’re dealt. I think they will be a better team than their records indicates at the end of the year…but you never really know this early (I’ve never been right so this entire blog is an effort in futility…but it makes me feel better). So here goes…

@ Cincinnati – W: I put the W here, but I’m not sure I believe it. This team is still learning, but Cincy sucks so I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt.
Cleveland – W: If you can’t beat this team…
@ Oakland – W: See Cleveland above
Dallas – W: I know most are predicting a Dallas win here, but it’s at home, the Broncs will be riding a winning streak and I just don’t think Dallas is that good (which is why Shanny will be coaching there next year).
New England – L: I want to put the W here, but just can’t do it. I have to give the edge to the Master. I will say the NE doesn’t usually play well here…so the Broncos might be able to steal this one.
@ San Diego – L: I’m not as high on SD as some are (read…Norv Turner), but I’m not naive either.
@ Baltimore – L: The schedule just keeps getting worse.
Pittsburgh – L: And worse.
@ Washington – L: I want to put the W here to help stop the November slide, but it’s hard to win on the road after four straight loses.
San Diego – W: I think we split with San Diego, but what do I know??
NY Giants – L: This team is good.
@ Kansas City – W: This is more an indictment on KC than anything else. It’s tough to win at Arrowhead, but I think we get it done this year (they may have a new coach by then).
@ Indianapolis – L: This one could be ugly, you might not want to let the little ones watch it…but can it get much worse than it was under Shanny?
Oakland – W: Oakland, the perfect cure for what ails you.
@ Philadelphia – L: I don’t think it will be a blow-out, but tough to win here.
Kansas City – W: Come on…this one could be ugly in a good way.

After totaling up the W’s and the L’s…my prediction for 2009 is that the Broncos will go: 8-8.

There is a lot of unknown here and I think there are a few games that can make this number go up a little or way down: Cincinnati, Dallas, San Diego, and Washington specifically. Can they steal one more win? Will they lose a few more? I can’t see anything more than 9-7 (and that would be a miracle) and could see them slide to 5-11 if they don’t get their act together at the start of the year.

Gonna be fun to watch! I think the DEF is much improved over last year…meaning they will be average with some upside for the future. The schedule is brutal in November…so buckle up. Football is back!

11.09.2009 Broncos, Guy Stuff, Hobbies, Sports 4 Comments

BEST. CONCERT. EVER!

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

On the floor. Dead center. 18 rows back.

I’m no concert expert, but we have been to a few this year and the Foreigner concert last night was hands down the best concert I have ever been to…ever! I’m typically fairly reserved when it comes to an event like this, but I couldn’t help but clap…shout…raise a fist…and sing along at the top of my lungs.

It certainly helps that I knew all but maybe two of the songs (and one of them was brand new), including: Feels Like the first Time; Cold as Ice; Hot Blooded; Double Vision; Blue Morning, Blue Day; Dirty White Boy; Urgent; I Want to Know What Love Is; and the best rendition of Juke Box Hero I’ve ever heard.

It. Was. Awesome.

And best of all, I got to share it with my best friend in the whole world. Only thing that might have made it better is if we’d had some friends to share it with. If you like Foreigner and ever get the chance…go to the concert. You won’t be disappointed.

05.09.2009 Misc Ramblings, Recreation 5 Comments

Parking on a Driveway

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

There’s an old joke by Steven Wright that goes something like this: “Why do people drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?” While this is largely a question for English majors, it does beg a question that came up last night as we drove up to some friends’ house for dinner.

Why don’t people park in driveways? Why is it socially “taboo”?

Anita and I got in a little “discussion” about this as she parked on the street while there was a perfectly good parking spot on the driveway. And we have people over all the time…with a huge driveway…and they park on the street about 90% of the time.

Now, I can understand it if your car leaks oil like a sieve, but not many of the people I know anymore have cars that do that (we aren’t driving clunkers like we used to). I know our car doesn’t leak, but there we were parked on the street.

What gives? I don’t get it. Please…shed the light on my perplexity…and for goodness sakes, park on my driveway…

02.09.2009 Humor, Misc Ramblings, Soap Box 8 Comments