Easter falls right in line with the timing I need to gain some sustenance (the physical kind) for finals. 3 more days to go and this chapter will be closed only to be read over and over again. I am thankful to my God for the blessing of the breath of life and the constant provision and guidance He offers. I am thankful for friends who have supported me with prayer and words of encouragement. I am grateful to my lovely wife and kids who have dwelt with an often cranky father and husband. I must offer an apology to my professors who have very likely been delivered some work that is much lacking due to a brain-flow issue over the last several weeks. I feel healthier than I have been in years and covet your prayers for continued success as I attempt to maintain proper habits regarding food. It will be interesting to see how my body adapts to "regular" eating. I suppose that word has taken on a much newer meaning for me.
This summer will be a "good" test. I will be on my own for 12 weeks and on the go trying to keep up with a bunch of teens. The discipline of planning and preparing foods will be difficult for my wife to manage from so far away, but I am sure she will figure out a way to get my lunches ready along with her own and the 10-13 kids that will be in and out of the house daily. I love being married to Wonder Woman. (She doesn't wear her cape, boots and tights much, though.)
May the peace of God which transcends all understanding guard your minds and hearts in Christ Jesus. Happy Resurrection Day! May your week be filled with thoughts of our Risen Savior, memories of His sacrifice, chocolate bunnies and colorful eggs hidden in awkward places.
Peace <><
Josh
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
37/48 Pressing On With Character
What is character? You can give a photo character by adjusting tones, highlights, or lowlights and maybe changing perspective, but we don't seem to look at a plain, straight-forward picture of what is seen every day as 'character'. Something needs to be changed, modified, magnified or altered completely in order to be described as having character.
Someone who is funny or quirky or down-right weird is often referred to as a character. When things are going tough, we always say, "It'll be all right, that builds character." But what is it about those times that actually build character? What is the character we are trying to build? As ministers and Christians, what is our character supposed to look like?
There should be something within a Christian that is altered, changed, completely transformed from the shape it once was that builds character. The life-changing event that is the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior both magnifies and hides our sin... better yet, removes our sin. The cross, the suffering of a faithful redeemer, bring to light the times I fall short and fail to meet the expected standard of God's holy people. The empty tomb brings to light the hope with which we live as we serve a God who has conquered death and has risen never to die again. He has promised us that same resurrection. The penalty that he accepted for all of my "falling shorts" : ) is a humble reminder that my God has made it possible for me to stand in His presence blameless and pure.
Christ has brought His people into photoshop and adjusted the "red curve" to maximum and somehow that brings us out looking radiantly white, pure as the driven snow, and so bright and blown out that it doesn't make sense... and it gives us character. The cross molds us and shapes us into something new, altered, with a different perspective, and totally and completely changed.
As minister's of the gospel, that character is exaggerated, magnified, and scrutinized. As those who are called to accept a role as a spokesman for God and representative of the church to the church and to the community, I think it is important that we accept such scrutiny. As Christians and children of God, we should cherish it as well because of what it means we have a hope for.
My journey of late has definitely been a "character-building" journey. Less than 9 days to go to bring my journey to completion. My fatigue has been better, and so has my train of thought. I have lost over 30 pounds, but the weight loss has slowed dramatically over the last week. I think that my body might be wondering what is going on. I am eager to get back in to a routine that most would consider "normal." I am eager to see how difficult it is to continue to create new and healthier habits. I am eager to see how easily it will be to maintain the new mindset I have created. I know that God is faithful. I know He is in control. I am thankful for the reminders (the gentle ones and the not-so-gentle ones) that the only thing in my life exhibiting any control will be Him and His Will.
Someone who is funny or quirky or down-right weird is often referred to as a character. When things are going tough, we always say, "It'll be all right, that builds character." But what is it about those times that actually build character? What is the character we are trying to build? As ministers and Christians, what is our character supposed to look like?
There should be something within a Christian that is altered, changed, completely transformed from the shape it once was that builds character. The life-changing event that is the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior both magnifies and hides our sin... better yet, removes our sin. The cross, the suffering of a faithful redeemer, bring to light the times I fall short and fail to meet the expected standard of God's holy people. The empty tomb brings to light the hope with which we live as we serve a God who has conquered death and has risen never to die again. He has promised us that same resurrection. The penalty that he accepted for all of my "falling shorts" : ) is a humble reminder that my God has made it possible for me to stand in His presence blameless and pure.
Christ has brought His people into photoshop and adjusted the "red curve" to maximum and somehow that brings us out looking radiantly white, pure as the driven snow, and so bright and blown out that it doesn't make sense... and it gives us character. The cross molds us and shapes us into something new, altered, with a different perspective, and totally and completely changed.
As minister's of the gospel, that character is exaggerated, magnified, and scrutinized. As those who are called to accept a role as a spokesman for God and representative of the church to the church and to the community, I think it is important that we accept such scrutiny. As Christians and children of God, we should cherish it as well because of what it means we have a hope for.
My journey of late has definitely been a "character-building" journey. Less than 9 days to go to bring my journey to completion. My fatigue has been better, and so has my train of thought. I have lost over 30 pounds, but the weight loss has slowed dramatically over the last week. I think that my body might be wondering what is going on. I am eager to get back in to a routine that most would consider "normal." I am eager to see how difficult it is to continue to create new and healthier habits. I am eager to see how easily it will be to maintain the new mindset I have created. I know that God is faithful. I know He is in control. I am thankful for the reminders (the gentle ones and the not-so-gentle ones) that the only thing in my life exhibiting any control will be Him and His Will.
Monday, April 4, 2011
27/46 Course Adjustment
So, I was sitting at the dinner table with my family this evening and I was thinking to myself, "Self, you have done well. You have exhibited an ability to control your own food intake and have created some good new eating habits. You have accomplished your goal. Now go eat some of that amazingly good-smelling homemade stromboli." After all, I am not really bound by the "lenten process." There is nothing special about the 46 days between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday. If I were to stop today and resume life as normal, most wouldn't know or care. The ones who would care would certainly understand and agree. My intention has been realized and it could be called a success.
But I have resolved to find a resting place among the thorns. While the main thrust of this initiative would have been "officially" met, There is something to the completion of a time table. My eating (on Sundays) has certainly been much more disciplined, and my desire to eat simply because food is available is no longer present... Even food that I "love". I am acutely aware of all the poor habits I was n and have made habits of controlling for myself what I will consume. Part of my goal, however, was the completion of a time period... a fast of forty days.
So, I have made a decision to adjust my sights on a new goal. I have made many excuses in the past to move on to something new when what has already been started is not quite complete. I have made a habit of starting something of great value, proving that I have the ability to do something, and then moving on to a new challenge. I resolve to finish what I have started. This will not be a time where one excuse or another will allow me to cut short the commitment I have made to myself. Now that I have created a sense of control over food, I will devote these last 19 days to finishing that which has been started. (I am sure my beautiful bride will be ecstatic if I may have similar success.) Here's to new heights and new goals to reach.
But I have resolved to find a resting place among the thorns. While the main thrust of this initiative would have been "officially" met, There is something to the completion of a time table. My eating (on Sundays) has certainly been much more disciplined, and my desire to eat simply because food is available is no longer present... Even food that I "love". I am acutely aware of all the poor habits I was n and have made habits of controlling for myself what I will consume. Part of my goal, however, was the completion of a time period... a fast of forty days.
So, I have made a decision to adjust my sights on a new goal. I have made many excuses in the past to move on to something new when what has already been started is not quite complete. I have made a habit of starting something of great value, proving that I have the ability to do something, and then moving on to a new challenge. I resolve to finish what I have started. This will not be a time where one excuse or another will allow me to cut short the commitment I have made to myself. Now that I have created a sense of control over food, I will devote these last 19 days to finishing that which has been started. (I am sure my beautiful bride will be ecstatic if I may have similar success.) Here's to new heights and new goals to reach.
The Gift of Prophecy
Maybe, there are some aspects of "prophecy" that are not still hanging around today as they once were. It would be a very intriguing thing to be able to tell you that I had discovered the gift of knowing the things that were to come. I can imagine that would be quite a special feat. While prophets certainly did some of these things, this is traditionally where we cease and desist our growth in understanding the nature of prophets and prophecy. with that (mis)understanding of who the prophets of our history were, viewing a minister of the church as a prophet seems foreign.
The minister as prophet is a pivotal trait in their character. The prophets did so much more than predict the future. While this was at some point a part of the warning brought to the people, it was a small portion of their mission. As a general rule, the prophet was one who brought a word of warning to the people from God. The prophet was the one who came to say God says, "Change what you are doing... or else!" Unfortunately, it is the "or else" that we get hung up on. The fact is, as ministers, we are often called to bring a word of judgment from the Lord to His people so that we, as His people, may maintain a relationship between the lives that we lead and the will of the Father.
This responsibility should not be taken lightly or abused. We must work to develop the kinds of relationships with those we are called to minister to that are firmly rooted in love and respect. In order for messages such as these to be received well and taken to heart in such a way as to promote positive spiritual change and reflection as opposed to defensive bitterness, they must be delivered from a basis of trust and sincerity. I pray that I may take this responsibility earnestly. I pray that my God will continue to use me as a tool to bring His Word to His people in truth and love. I pray that I have the courage to deliver these words even when they cut the hearts of myself or others.
The minister as prophet is a pivotal trait in their character. The prophets did so much more than predict the future. While this was at some point a part of the warning brought to the people, it was a small portion of their mission. As a general rule, the prophet was one who brought a word of warning to the people from God. The prophet was the one who came to say God says, "Change what you are doing... or else!" Unfortunately, it is the "or else" that we get hung up on. The fact is, as ministers, we are often called to bring a word of judgment from the Lord to His people so that we, as His people, may maintain a relationship between the lives that we lead and the will of the Father.
This responsibility should not be taken lightly or abused. We must work to develop the kinds of relationships with those we are called to minister to that are firmly rooted in love and respect. In order for messages such as these to be received well and taken to heart in such a way as to promote positive spiritual change and reflection as opposed to defensive bitterness, they must be delivered from a basis of trust and sincerity. I pray that I may take this responsibility earnestly. I pray that my God will continue to use me as a tool to bring His Word to His people in truth and love. I pray that I have the courage to deliver these words even when they cut the hearts of myself or others.
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