Monday, February 23, 2009

Father, this is all about You. You must increase and I must decrease. You are not my opium. You are not my servant to do my bidding – to meet my needs and wants. Sometimes I cling to You more out of my fear of failure than my love for You. I am more egocentric than Christocentric. It is only by Your Spirit that I can see this. Don’t let me stay here peering into but never entering the land. Holy Spirit, enable me to lose myself in Jesus. Give me the motivation and the ability in the intensity of the specific moment to be the Light of my world – to be Jesus with those I’m interacting with. May I not live like it’s all about me.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Book Review: All Ahead Full by John Mann

A couple of weeks ago I was in Sam’s and a kid came up to greet me. I vaguely recognized him from years back. It was probably 10 years ago that he came up to me in Wal-Mart. Before that I couldn’t tell you how long it had been. He was a boy that I knew from church whose family were friends. He’s very friendly and inviting. It’s rare to run into kids (20 something) like that now days – refreshing. He brought me up to date on everyone in his family. His mother is a few years older (metaphorically speaking) who I didn’t know as well. His uncles I knew pretty well. One of his uncles was practically considered a son in my house. He was my dad’s service man and after I went to college it was not unusual to get a report as to how Jim was doing. We spent quite a bit of time together at one time in our lives. His other uncle, John, was a few years older than me (literally) and left for the Navy early while I was still in high school. I didn’t have much contact with him after that but got occasional reports from other family members. John’s dad would substitute teach high school and would talk about him from time to time. Mr. Mann was hilarious (not for talking about John but because he had a great sense of humor).

During our conversation Ryan said that John had written a book. He gave me the wrong title and so when I googled it and found that it was written by someone else I thought how sad that John would pass off someone else’s work to impress his family. After getting everything straightened out, his sister gave me the book.

All Ahead Full is the record of life principles learned from John’s training in the Navy. The chapters are brief with a summary of the main points. The points bring you back to basics spoken in a simplistic way that even someone that doesn’t read much would enjoy and benefit from. Years ago I assigned my students Life’s Greatest Lessons by Hal Urban for extra credit. This book is in the same vein which if I were still teaching would give out.

It’s easy to overlook the basics; it’s easy for them to become routine. Reminders are crucial for our development. For me, there were some points that particularly piqued my interest. The chapter, Runaway Torpedo pages 25-31 spoke directly to my wanderlust. I have a tendency to look for greener pastures or think of what is the next big thing. Instead of pausing and in quietness ask, “Is this You, Lord?” I will have the business plan developed and dream of how great things will be. What I really need is Him. He sets my priorities.

Page 47 from Point Bravo also illustrates having a specific point I’m heading to instead of letting the drift take me where it is going. For me it is Father that is my point bravo. “But how often do we allow the rivers of life to control our personal and professional journeys?”

Page 57 from Set and Drift carries the theme I seem to be on. The currents of life inevitably take you off course. It is unavoidable. Therefore, “we need to make regular personal and professional course corrections.” Page 58 discusses the need for a “personal development plan.” We must take inventory and re-evaluate our goals. This is done by “taking fixes” as to your position. You triangulate your co ordinance with fixed and sure landmarks and then reposition yourself. The fixed and sure land marks are the goal, date, and feedback from others, specifically a mentor.

Page 113 from Steady as She Goes gave me new insight in being mindful of momentum. I don’t have to start from scratch. I need to let things build on what has already occurred, from what I’ve already learned and experienced. In relation to others, I don’t have to do a 360 but just make small adjustments.

It was a good experience reading this book mainly because John wrote it. The book had depth because I knew the author. (There’s a lesson in that I’m sure.) It was a satisfying experience because he’s doing well. That pleases me. It also gives me hope for myself because if John can do it certainly there is hope for me. (Really, that’s not a slam.)

Being Known

It’s been three years now since my first post. I haven’t posted every month but pretty close to it. It’s been a good personal discipline. I guess I’ve averaged a little better than 1000 visitors per year. That’s not why I do it, however it is gratifying to know people stop by and sometimes comment. The main reason is personal process – seed thoughts that have been stirred in me. I write them so not to lose them. The secondary purpose is to leave something of myself for my kids. They might read these words someday and know me a little better and hopefully themselves. They will be able to pick up the tone in a way no one else would be able to. I am valued when someone else considers my thoughts. But more importantly is that my kids will have more of an awareness of me in them. They will know how proud I am of them and how much I love them.

Proverbs 31

It is amazing how fast the month has gone. I’ve allowed busyness keep me from posting as much as would have liked. Today’s passage is the familiar virtuous woman passage. Reading this always gives me appreciation for my wife. No one is perfect but my wife strives for the principles in this passage. I could get frustrated if I allowed myself with things I would like or need her to do differently. However, when I focus on her attributes it is easier for me to accept her faults. She puts up with mine so it is the least I could do. We tend to look at the attributes of the virtuous woman as all or nothing when more likely they are in varying degrees that ebb and flow, hopefully with steady growth.

Another verse that came alive for me is verses 8-9: Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. Be aware of those that can’t speak for themselves. Stand for what is right.

Another verse I like is verse 25: Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. This should be spoken of more than just the virtuous woman. Our future is bright; we have something to smile about.

I hope that you have renewed awareness and sensitivity of the fear of the Lord. It is my hope that this year would produce in us a demonstration that He is our wisdom that all would see Christ in us. May the reading and meditation of Proverbs be more than just an increase in our intellects.

Peace.

I’m feeling compelled to take a closer look at the disciple Jesus loved.

Saturday, January 03, 2009

Proverbs 3

Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute [literally understanding; the idea is be held in high regard] in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4

Kindness and truth balance each other. Kindness without truth is too soft without boundaries; truth without kindness is too hard and rigid.

Peace.

Friday, January 02, 2009

Proverbs 2

When I seek wisdom, understanding, and discernment – Truth – without my agendas, it will lead me to the fear of the Lord. I am a seeker. I want Truth, the Man. In this process of seeking I gain Him above all else. The residual effect is protection (from my self and others and from not benefiting from my experiences), awareness of what is right, and peace for the soul.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Proverbs 1

Happy New Year! May this be a year of increased knowledge and revelation of our Lord. May you experience His presence and overwhelming love in ways that are undeniable. May you know Jesus, the man who loves you.

When I read Proverbs 1, Matthew 11:19 came to mind: “Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” I like how the KJV translated deeds, “children.” We can’t help but reproduce what is really in us. Our deeds are our children – good, bad, and ugly. We will show the degree of wisdom we possess. We will eat the fruit of all our labor.

The other thing that impressed me was verse 32, “the complacency of fools will destroy them.” To what degree have I become complacent? I define complacency as being satisfied with the accomplishments of the past with minimal or no motivation for the present while having an expectation that the future will remain prosperous. Along with complacency comes a sense of entitlement – an unhealthy pride-laziness. The question I must ask myself is, “What does complacency look like in me?” No one sets out to be complacent. How do I discern it when I’m on the step at the house of complacency? Then, what do I do about it? According to Proverbs 1 is to heed Wisdom’s call. This is easier said than done. It is only as I trust Holy Spirit moment by moment to reveal, motivate, and empower can I have any hope of not being lulled asleep by Complacency’s voice.

So this is what I will be meditating on today. I’m not looking for intellectual stimulation. I want Truth to be internalized in me.

Peace.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

The January Challenge

Almost 30 years ago a friend challenged me to read through the book of Proverbs each month. I read through it for several months and then at least once every year since. The last several years I at least read through the book in January, a chapter for each day. I figure that it starts my year out with my focus on wisdom from the Lord.

This year it occurred to me to open the challenge to others. So if you feel impressed to do so, read a chapter for each day of the month of January. Read the chapter with the corresponding day and then ask Father to increase in you His wisdom. Write down any impressions you receive and memorize the related verse or passage. Finally, occasionally leave a post here with your insights.