I've been a Christian for a good number of years now. I have met a lot of Christians. We like to do Christian things. We like to get together and talk about Christianity, about the world in which we live and how in light of that we are to live out our Christian faith. We like to listen to Christian radio stations. We have enjoyed reading our Christian books. We attend our Christian colleges. And we like to attend church and learn about how to become better Christians.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Friday, August 22, 2014
Looking in the Face of Darkness
The following is my reflection after sitting down and having a deep, detailed discussion with an individual who has been immensely hurt by others and by self. I found my heart far more gripped than my head by what I can only describe as the "Darkness" I felt like I was looking into. The following is a brief reflection over what still causes my heart immense pain...and HOPE!!!
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Stepping Outside the Moment to Gain a Longer Term Perspective
I love riding my bike. I can't get enough of it. There is rarely a day that goes by where I don't ride my bike. I ride in all conditions, not just when the weather is optimal. And I seek to get better at it. Years ago I connected a speedometer/odometer to my bike which also has the capacity to measure my cadence as well as heart rate. This is how a biker, or wanna-be biker can get better. By assessing some or all of the aforementioned I can find if indeed I am improving and focus on areas in which I need to really direct more discipline.
Monday, July 28, 2014
I'd Be Stupid Not To
I remember well the first time I saw her. I was exceptionally moved. I couldn't help but be overwhelmed in that moment. There I looked at her and with some hesitation I approached her. But I had to approach her, she caused me to marvel. Then I decided rather than just stand there and gawk, I'd probably do well to say something. And so I began. I tried not to show my awkwardness and just speak, but I couldn't help but fumble a bit over my words. Her presence had captivated me. And as the brief introductory window we had to meet one another had ended, I found myself longing for another chance to meet with her and talk and get to know her better. I would not be content to do anything but pursue after her.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Nobody Believes Me
I am a broken record. And the revolving of this record on the turn-table of life plays one tune: the Supremacy of Jesus. I marvel again and again and again at the brilliance of Jesus, with the slight window through which I have been able to look and gain but glimpses of Him. And still I marvel. He is more brilliant and bright-shining than I ever knew.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Walking Wounded
i walk alone
with my gait a bit less fluid
make no mistake
this walk has left me wounded
few know the pains i feel
so very real, as they tear my flesh apart
where in my heart
the burdens go deep and wide
and crash down upon me like a rolling tide
see, few understand the levels of hurt i bear
because i go from here to there
and give of myself
divesting of health and wealth
and as people walk away
not committing in the least bit to what they think and say
they want to be a part of
but who don't dare to love
to the degree
i see (in the Word)
their walking away rips me apart with claws
and feels like the sentence of death handed down from the law
yet here i have found
that riches abound
in a manner
so far grander
because i behold a great glimpse
where here hints
and shades
of what purpose He's made
cause me to know HIM
which moves me to show HIM
even as here I really, deeply, more expediently, and truthfully grow in HIM
and the season
in which i am told to wait
that if i really pondered
i'd only continue to hate
is actually for my good
as I am conformed
taking what is otherwise so humanly, temporally, selfishly malformed
and causing it to be transformed
(my heart)
and here as i wait
i no longer hesitate
to marvel at the work HE performs
where in seasons of storms
the rains that fall
will one day cause a crop to grow
and that all
who look on may know
the brilliance
of the radiance
in the benevolence
OF CHRIST
and amid the slow passing of time
with the pain in my gait
still for CHRIST and CHRIST alone
will my soul faithfully wait
with my gait a bit less fluid
make no mistake
this walk has left me wounded
few know the pains i feel
so very real, as they tear my flesh apart
where in my heart
the burdens go deep and wide
and crash down upon me like a rolling tide
see, few understand the levels of hurt i bear
because i go from here to there
and give of myself
divesting of health and wealth
and as people walk away
not committing in the least bit to what they think and say
they want to be a part of
but who don't dare to love
to the degree
i see (in the Word)
their walking away rips me apart with claws
and feels like the sentence of death handed down from the law
yet here i have found
that riches abound
in a manner
so far grander
because i behold a great glimpse
where here hints
and shades
of what purpose He's made
cause me to know HIM
which moves me to show HIM
even as here I really, deeply, more expediently, and truthfully grow in HIM
and the season
in which i am told to wait
that if i really pondered
i'd only continue to hate
is actually for my good
as I am conformed
taking what is otherwise so humanly, temporally, selfishly malformed
and causing it to be transformed
(my heart)
and here as i wait
i no longer hesitate
to marvel at the work HE performs
where in seasons of storms
the rains that fall
will one day cause a crop to grow
and that all
who look on may know
the brilliance
of the radiance
in the benevolence
OF CHRIST
and amid the slow passing of time
with the pain in my gait
still for CHRIST and CHRIST alone
will my soul faithfully wait
Monday, June 9, 2014
Our Dislike of Authority
"Authority" is not a favorite word, at least of anyone I know. We chafe against authority in our lives at all different stages. As a kid it was never tops on our list to subject ourselves to the dictator-like directives that mom and/or dad gave us. Their known authority, or self-proclaimed authority was nothing more than a limiting factor on all that we felt entitled to do. We just never seem to find any respite from the authorities over us at various stages of life. Your boss, the police officer trailing your car down the freeway, the IRS and an endless list of others are ever imposing their authoritative grip on your time, your mind, your bank account and there is nothing you can do to change this. We instead cry out for autonomy, and live as though we have it.
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