Do what just feels right...

This is a re-blog from Walt Mueller. When I saw this commercial, I was stunned for a few seconds...only a few.

Mueller:
Youth culture is a map and a mirror. It is both directive and reflective. We watch it to see where it's sending us and our kids. We watch it to see where we are. We monitor, deconstruct, and exegete it to know how to bring the map of the Biblical world and life view to bear on the realities that exist. A world that's not the way it's supposed to be keeps heading in that direction. We're in desperate need of being straightened out, fixed, and made new. That's why we listen and watch carefully.

Looking for a cultural map and mirror to ponder and talk about over the next month or so? Here's one worth engaging.

"You 86 the rules. You do what just feels right. . . "

unbalanced...

I feel very unbalanced right now. Being a husband, father, pastor, student...I'm not juggling them all very well at this point. At least it doesn't feel like it.

weekend stars...

This past weekend, I went to Seven Springs Mountain Resort with my wife and a few good friends. At one point on Saturday night, the 3 guys stood outside in the dark. It was a cooler evening with no cloud cover. We were all looking up into the incredible starry sky, and we were hoping to see a shooting star. I was the only one that had even seen a shooting star before, and I saw two on this night! My wife and I have a special connection over shooting stars! - it's a long story to blog about.

It's on weekends away like this...that I feel closer to God. Hanging out with good friends and having my mind blown by the Creator of the universe. It doesn't get much better.

I don't know enough about science, but how long ago would that star have to have burned out for me to see it at that moment?

accomplished...

A semi-frustrating thing about ministry is that you don't always see results right away from your hard work. It was often said to me when I was a Youth Pastor, "you'll see the fruit 10 years from now." Actually, this has been true...but it did take that long!

What I'm loving about this week (my stay-cation) is that I have been doing many little projects around my home that have allowed me to see direct results of my hard work. From the lines in my freshly cut grass to the freshly painted entry-way. From the new doorknob to the new basement door seal. Yes, these are little things, but I'm loving the fact that I can look at something I worked on and see that it is accomplished.

Galatians 6:9-10 says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

stay-cation...

I'm taking a vacation this week. I'm actually on stay-cation. I'm not going anywhere, but I'm staying at home and getting some much-needed stuff done around the house. Believe it or not, there are things that I've put off for years that will get done this week...I hope. So, I will be unplugging this week. See you in 7 days.

family pictures...

After North Way's services this past Sunday, our family went to North Park with Jonathan and Tifanny Cooper (and Scarlett). They are incredible photographers and good friends of ours. They took pictures of our family. You can see them HERE!

Jonathan and Tifanny are so good, and if you're interested in getting your pictures taken, contact Hot Metal Studio.

is it possible?

Is it possible that we've become...

so busy that we can't recognize God's pace?
so noisy that we can't hear God's voice?
so arrogant that we can't be humble?
so independent that we can't depend on God?
so hard-hearted that God can't mold us?
so traditional that God will have to break us?
so comfortable that God will have to shake us?
so idle that God will have to wake us?

God, do what you need to do.

sometimes you just can't...

I'm sitting inside right now. I have a list of things "to do" outside that is a proverbial mile long, and I want to do them, but it's raining. So, I simply can't do the things I need to do. So, I push it off until tomorrow after the Steelers game.

Sometimes circumstances also hinder the "to do" lists of life. When you work hard to advance the kingdom of God, it's hard to determine if these pop-up circumstances are put in the way to be seen as God "closing doors" or to be seen as opposition by the Evil One. If it's the latter, it's an opportunity to fight. In my opinion, there's such a fine line of discernment between these two. The freeing part about that fine line is that I am called to do only what I can do, and God will have to do what only He can do.

So, when I've done all that I can do, it's up to God to make it clear if it's His closed door or an opportunity to fight the Evil One. Until that clarity comes, I pray, worship and wait for it to stop raining.

could God be talking to me?

There are certain things that you must be taught over and over to get it into your heart. This might be one of those areas for me. Check this out.

Presence...

I'm a part of Messenger Fellowship. Steve Fry writes a good article that is worthy of 5 minutes on your part.