I love change; I hate change! It’s amazing that a person can have such polar opposite feelings about the same concept. I wrestle with these feeling about changes in my life on an almost daily basis. There have been changes within my life that I have welcomed with open arms, while at the same time there have been changes that I have utterly despised. This has especially been true when the change brought the loss of someone or something that I held dear to my heart. These feelings of loss make the reality of change a bitter pill to swallow. The great news is that in the midst of change; God is our rock; he is our strength in the midst of our world that is shaking around us. The crazy thing is that even the changes that ultimately are good can be hard for us to accept. It’s often in these times that God changes us to become more like him. Change is inevitable, there is no way that we can stop the forces of change within our lives. The quandary is discovering what changes to embrace and what changes to hold at bay for as long as possible. Winston Churchill once said “There is nothing wrong with change if it’s in the right direction” The problem is that it’s sometimes hard to know whether or not a change in our life actually takes us in the right direction or leads us down a path that should have been avoided. The only answer that I have discovered in helping me discern the difference is whether or not the change helps me (& the world) become more like Christ. If the change brings me closer to God then I’ll accept it; if not then you can KEEP THE CHANGE!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Crazy Love
John 3:16
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
We often hear those words and fail to realize the deep love that God has for each of us. Christ came into our world, where he knew he would be rejected, persecuted and eventually crucified. He chose to come into our world as baby, not because he had to, but because he chose to out of love. The love demonstrated in the manger is not truly understood until we see the love of the cross. As Jesus lay in the manger, the shadow of the cross already was dawning on his life. The love of God would go much deeper than a mere emotion or feeling instead it would be act of complete sacrifice by God himself who was willing to die a cruel death out love for you and me!!!
God’s love for you is unconditional, his love is not based on what you have done, or how good you may or may not be. He looks at our life sees the brokenness, the sin, and the disappointments and chooses to love us anyway! There has never been a greater demonstration of love than the Jesus being born in a manger to die on a cross.
Christ was willing to lay down his life for us! He was willing to leave the splendors and comforts of heaven and take on the form of a helpless baby, dependent upon the very people he had created. He was willing to sacrifice his Divine rights as God for the mortality of the human race which would eventually torture and kill him. Why? No other reason than love!!!
The Apostle John wrote in John 15:12-13 “this is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Jesus’ love for us was so great that he was willing to lay down his life for us.”
Christ made the ultimate sacrifice of love for us!
Not only has God loved us, but we have the opportunity to share that love with other people. The world around us is hurting and broken and we have the opportunity to share God’s love with people who have never experienced this type of love. May you receive that love this Christmas and may you in turn give the gift of love to others!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Unexpected Lesson
Originally Posted in September 2009 (I think)
Believe it or not, the last time that I blogged was in March 2008; that's a long time between blogs. My last blog was entitled "Life at 11,000 feet" In that blog I talked about my annual hiking trip in the mountains of Colorado. Having returned from Colorado less than a week ago I thought it was time to put down a few thoughts once again. Once again it was an amazing time of hiking, hunting and adventure. It was great to be able to spend so much time with my son Seth: there were moments that I will NEVER forget. The beauty of God's creation was breathtaking; It's a experience that cannot be described only lived. However this year God taught me something I did not expect to be taught; He taught me the power of contentment. It seems like every year I spend a great deal of time living with the sense of expectation and hope of my trip to the mountains; all the while failing to take the time to enjoy the beauty of the people around me. God taught me that contentment / happiness for me does not require that I be in the middle of the mountains; it can be found in enjoying the small ordinary things of my life. The mountains are amazing, but the most amazing view is from the my front porch looking in (Thanks Rascal Flatts) I never again want to be guilty of looking forward to the next adventure so much that I fail to see the amazing life that God has given me to experience EVERY day. Thanks God for teaching me an unexpected lesson
Believe it or not, the last time that I blogged was in March 2008; that's a long time between blogs. My last blog was entitled "Life at 11,000 feet" In that blog I talked about my annual hiking trip in the mountains of Colorado. Having returned from Colorado less than a week ago I thought it was time to put down a few thoughts once again. Once again it was an amazing time of hiking, hunting and adventure. It was great to be able to spend so much time with my son Seth: there were moments that I will NEVER forget. The beauty of God's creation was breathtaking; It's a experience that cannot be described only lived. However this year God taught me something I did not expect to be taught; He taught me the power of contentment. It seems like every year I spend a great deal of time living with the sense of expectation and hope of my trip to the mountains; all the while failing to take the time to enjoy the beauty of the people around me. God taught me that contentment / happiness for me does not require that I be in the middle of the mountains; it can be found in enjoying the small ordinary things of my life. The mountains are amazing, but the most amazing view is from the my front porch looking in (Thanks Rascal Flatts) I never again want to be guilty of looking forward to the next adventure so much that I fail to see the amazing life that God has given me to experience EVERY day. Thanks God for teaching me an unexpected lesson
Back in the Day
Originally Posted on March 5th 2008
Well I've finally entered the world of the blog! Most of my youth pastor friends entered this world a long time ago, but I have been afraid to take the plunge. I've tried to stay current with all the latest technological trends that are a part of the ever changing youth culture. I feel it's important to stay up to date with myspace, facebook, text messaging & all the other stuff that seems to essential to keep students connected with their friends, yet blogging seemed to overwhelm me. I must admit that things seemed easier back in the day. When I first started in youth ministry, there was no such thing as myspace, text messaging or a blog. I was thrilled when I got my first pager: Yes that's right a pager: man I'm old. While I admit that things seemed easier back in the day I'm convinced that ministry to students has remained the same. Sure the methods are completely different, but the deep internal issues are still the same. Students still long for anyone who is willing to care enough about them to invest time into them. I am blessed to be able to be on this journey with students. While the world of technology changes; the inner world of JR High & High School students remain mostly the same.
Well I've finally entered the world of the blog! Most of my youth pastor friends entered this world a long time ago, but I have been afraid to take the plunge. I've tried to stay current with all the latest technological trends that are a part of the ever changing youth culture. I feel it's important to stay up to date with myspace, facebook, text messaging & all the other stuff that seems to essential to keep students connected with their friends, yet blogging seemed to overwhelm me. I must admit that things seemed easier back in the day. When I first started in youth ministry, there was no such thing as myspace, text messaging or a blog. I was thrilled when I got my first pager: Yes that's right a pager: man I'm old. While I admit that things seemed easier back in the day I'm convinced that ministry to students has remained the same. Sure the methods are completely different, but the deep internal issues are still the same. Students still long for anyone who is willing to care enough about them to invest time into them. I am blessed to be able to be on this journey with students. While the world of technology changes; the inner world of JR High & High School students remain mostly the same.
Life at 11,000 feet
This is repost of a previous blog/ New blog Account:)
The mountain air is cool, but the rich blue Colorado sky allows the sun to warm my skin! I sat on a rocky ledge looking out over the vast landscape of God's Masterpiece we call the Rockies. I see a lake in the valley that appears to be minuscule; A lone ranch truck several miles away seems like the matchbox cars I played with as a kid. It's as if the world stops turning and time is standing still. In those moments the world down below fades away. The joys, frustrations and worries of the busy life I left behind is replaced with the tranquility & peace that is attained at nearly 11,000 feet. The air is thin but the wonder of the moment is thick! I want to stay there forever, but the climb calls me to move on! I will climb to what feels like the top of the world.
It's been six months since I experienced that moment & felt the rush and exhaustion of hiking to over 11,000 feet in the Rocky Mountain High Country. In about another six months I hope to be making the same journey. I count the days with great expectation, knowing that God willing I will once again be able to experience the exhilaration of hiking the Rocky Mountains.
As I sat in my office on a chilly March day longing to pack up and leave today I ask myself the questions: What makes me long to be in that place? What about that place is so captivating?There are lots of possible answers, many of which are valid possibilities. There is the camaraderie of the band of brothers that I experience as I make the trip with my brothers, uncles and other friends; there is the fact that I don't have to work as I spend my days hunting, fishing & hiking, paying no attention to the clock; the list of reasons go on & on. Yet I believe that one of the main reasons I find this trip so captivating is the solitude that I experience deep in the mountains. It's both the tough part & the amazing part of the journey. There is something about being out in the middle of God's creation that brings my Heart & Spirit in tune with God's Spirit. I hear God speak to me in the solitude in ways that I never hear in the busyness of modern life.
A year would be a long time to go without taking the time to experience the solitude we often need to hear God speak. We are so noise driven as we try to drown out our pain with the static of the TV, the music on our IPOD or the background noise of the radio. I know because I'm the same way: it's like I must have noise at all times or things seem out of whack.
My challenge to EVERYONE who reads my ramblings is that you take the time to listen. I realize this will be tough for many of you! For the students in my youth group this will be a huge challenge because you have been raised in a culture where noise in the norm & quietness is the exception. I hope all of you will make an effort to spend some moments in solitude today, allow yourself to hear God speak. He probably is already speaking to you, the problem is that you are not hearing his voice. You might be surprised what you learn about God and what you learn about yourself if you just take the time to listen.
The mountain air is cool, but the rich blue Colorado sky allows the sun to warm my skin! I sat on a rocky ledge looking out over the vast landscape of God's Masterpiece we call the Rockies. I see a lake in the valley that appears to be minuscule; A lone ranch truck several miles away seems like the matchbox cars I played with as a kid. It's as if the world stops turning and time is standing still. In those moments the world down below fades away. The joys, frustrations and worries of the busy life I left behind is replaced with the tranquility & peace that is attained at nearly 11,000 feet. The air is thin but the wonder of the moment is thick! I want to stay there forever, but the climb calls me to move on! I will climb to what feels like the top of the world.
It's been six months since I experienced that moment & felt the rush and exhaustion of hiking to over 11,000 feet in the Rocky Mountain High Country. In about another six months I hope to be making the same journey. I count the days with great expectation, knowing that God willing I will once again be able to experience the exhilaration of hiking the Rocky Mountains.
As I sat in my office on a chilly March day longing to pack up and leave today I ask myself the questions: What makes me long to be in that place? What about that place is so captivating?There are lots of possible answers, many of which are valid possibilities. There is the camaraderie of the band of brothers that I experience as I make the trip with my brothers, uncles and other friends; there is the fact that I don't have to work as I spend my days hunting, fishing & hiking, paying no attention to the clock; the list of reasons go on & on. Yet I believe that one of the main reasons I find this trip so captivating is the solitude that I experience deep in the mountains. It's both the tough part & the amazing part of the journey. There is something about being out in the middle of God's creation that brings my Heart & Spirit in tune with God's Spirit. I hear God speak to me in the solitude in ways that I never hear in the busyness of modern life.
A year would be a long time to go without taking the time to experience the solitude we often need to hear God speak. We are so noise driven as we try to drown out our pain with the static of the TV, the music on our IPOD or the background noise of the radio. I know because I'm the same way: it's like I must have noise at all times or things seem out of whack.
My challenge to EVERYONE who reads my ramblings is that you take the time to listen. I realize this will be tough for many of you! For the students in my youth group this will be a huge challenge because you have been raised in a culture where noise in the norm & quietness is the exception. I hope all of you will make an effort to spend some moments in solitude today, allow yourself to hear God speak. He probably is already speaking to you, the problem is that you are not hearing his voice. You might be surprised what you learn about God and what you learn about yourself if you just take the time to listen.
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