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The Water Is Still Today

April 18, 2009 in Faith, Journaling, Religion with 1 Comment

Still

The past two days have been nothing but stormy here in Central Texas.  This afternoon, amidst all of the downpour, the skies opened up and the sun came out.  I figured it would be the perfect opportunity for a quick run as it has been a while since I've had a good cardio workout.

As I ran along the lake I noticed just how calm the water was sitting.  Springtime is very windy here and I can't recall the last time I've seen the lake so still.  It was a perfect time to be outside – the sunshine, temperature and slight breeze felt great on my skin.

As I appreciated the water on the lake, these words suddenly came to mind:

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want
He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside still waters
He restores my soul
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for You are with me
You lead me, guide me and comfort me
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies
You revive my drooping head, my cup overflows with blessing
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
When I was in full-time ministry I learned these words (Psalm 23) to probably 10 different versions of melodies and chords.  But they've never brought as much life as they do to me today.  While I'm not going to break this down into an expository teaching, I hope you read it and let it speak to you in whatever you are experiencing.

Over the past few years my relationship with God has become something I depend on more than I ever understood it could be.  I find it humorous because it has grown into what it is AFTER a season of serving the church full-time.  I've learned to live for the communion, approval and judgement of God and NOT his people, and it gives me new perspective;  a new strength every day – preparing me for exactly what unexpected thing life brings.

Through this process I've learned the TRUE meaning of love, grace, forgiveness, peace, and working through tough times.  I have learned to appreciate the still waters, look forward to what challenge each day might bring and being stronger for walking through the valleys I have made it through.

I hope you are looking to discover new appreciation as life brings seasons of trial and peace, monotony & excitement.  Where is God leading you?  Let Him be your strength and hope.  Don't let life's busy-ness prevent you from stopping to enjoy what life could be.

March Madness!

March 19, 2009 in Current Affairs, Faith, Journaling, Quotes, Random with 0 Comments

Pmac

March Madness begins today!  While I'm a die-hard college FOOTBALL fan, this month is also high on my list when it comes to being a follower of sports.  It's a great time of year – think about it:  winter is fading away, spring breaks are taking place, St. Patty's Day bring is bringing out the green, and of course:  the unpredictable, always exciting NCAA Tournament.  It's a time to get pumped.  It's a time to fill out your bracket.  It's a time for MADNESS!

I'm not writing this to push my team on you.  I have several brackets filled out with different teams running away with the whole dance.  Through this, I am reminded how we can get so excited about something so insignificant to the events in the big picture our lives.  This tournament will have zero affect on my future.  But it will bring me a little bit of joy on the way.

I am currently in a place in my life where I'm trying to plan for my future (career, schooling, finances, etc.), and figure out how to get to wherever that is.  Being patient in getting there is difficult, but the waiting is neccessary to the outcome of the journey.  These teams participating in the tournament have no guarantee on where they'll be in a week but they are ready for the challenge and competition of it all.  They are pursuing a dream and taking it one game at a time.  

I read a quote this week and have been inspired myself to slow down and get the most out of the journey that I'm on.  Many times we need to tell ourselves to take it "game by game" before we properly reach the end of the tournament.

"Our dreams bring meaning to our lives.  Whether or not we achieve the dream is inconsequential…the path to the dream is the dream itself."

Bring on the Madness!

Birthdays are overrated

March 9, 2009 in Current Affairs, Faith, Friends, Fun, Music with 2 Comments

Yes, it's my birthday today.  I am now 31 years OLD.  I haven't been a huge fan of the "day of births" celebration since my 20s have come to a close.  I've come to terms with the fact that I am now old.

Here is a pleasant memory that is now exactly 1 year old, when Sean came to visit me for my 30th birthday.

Feeling Ashy Today?

February 25, 2009 in Faith with 0 Comments

Invest in a good moisturizer.  Just kidding…

Today is Ash Wednesday.  Most people will tell you that today begins the 40 days of Lent season and is also a day of sacrifice and fasting.  While this is true, most don't realize where this tradition has come from.  Many people will be seen out and about with a cross of ashes on their forehead.

In Jewish and Christian history, ashes were a symbol of mortality and repentance.  Mortality, because when we die, our bodies decompose into it.  Repentance, because in old times people would display ashes on their forehead to symbolize a so-called "death" to the spirit or act of the sin they are turning from.

Today, Lent has become a season of the church, placed on the calendar 40 days leading up to Easter.  Some would say that this tradition began as a time for baptismal candidates in the early church to reflect and prepare for their baptism on Easter Sunday.  Others say that it commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent out in the wilderness before He began his ministry.  And that it should challenge us to contemplate our own Christ-following journey, in meditating on the disciplines that we need to deepen our relationship with God.

What does Lent mean to me?

For me, Lent is a time of reflection.  To think about what Christ's sacrifice and death meant to me.  But also His resurrection.  While I believe in subtracting things that may not be productive to the spiritual and physical parts of my life, I want to add new aspects that will enhance and produce purpose and growth.  My goal oriented personality tells me I should do or not do something… and I plan to do something along these lines.  But it's also a time to ask myself why I do the things I do.  Will it deepen my walk with Christ?  Call it a spiritual New Year's resolution if you will.  This is what Lent means to me.

How are you observing Lent?

MJB

You Can't Sing What You Can't Hear

February 13, 2009 in Faith, Weblogs with 0 Comments

[reblogging: Mark Batterson]

I recently read a fascinating story about a musical trainer who worked with Opera singers who could not hit certain notes within an Octave, even though the notes fell within their vocal range. It was a mystery. The trainer did extensive testing on their vocal chords, but he couldn’t find any reason why they couldn’t hit those notes. On a whim, he tested their hearing. And what he discovered is that these Opera singers could not sing a note they could not hear. The problem wasn’t singing. The problem was hearing. 

Made me think of that phrase that is repeated throughout the New Testament: he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says. I think many of us are trapped in negative cycles or sinful habits or destructive addictions because we haven't heard the loving voice of our Heavenly Father say, "This is my child in whom I am well pleased." 

When you start to hear the voice of God–His loving voice, His graceful voice, His assuring voice, His powerful voice–you begin to sing what you're heard. By the way, this is why it's so important to read the Word. When you open the Bible God opens His mouth. 


[visit MarkBatterson.com for more info on Mark]

Just Do It…

February 12, 2009 in Faith, Quotes, Weblogs with 0 Comments

Mj800

"I have missed more than 9000 shots in my career.  I have lost almost 300 games.  On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot…and missed.  And I have failed over and over and over again in my life.  And that is why…I succeed."

-Michael Jordan

I came across this quote yesterday, and it spoke many words.  It brought to mind several people in my life who are facing challenges.  And it reminded me of all that I've gone through.

We all face our share of failure and heartache in life.  In fact, a lot of times it's hard not to let the challenges we encounter and the pain we experience outweigh the peace of our contentment and the joy of our victories.  We can all be found, at one time or another, facing terrible things that we don't deserve.  Things that are just unfair.  

But it is in those weak moments where we learn character, strength and how to become resilient.  It is where we learn how to be overcomers.  It is in those difficult times where we find the qualities that can carry us through the tough times that still remain to be seen.

Life on this earth is sure to bring us grief & despair.  We will get knocked down.  We will fall.  But we all have the opportunity to pick ourselves back up when the dust settles, and face a new day with a new attitude.

We can learn a lot from the words of one of the great competitors.  And we can learn how to be a competitor ourself.  Don't give up.  Keep shooting.  Just do it.

MJB