For those who know me, you know that I've had a very crappy last three months. I'm not going to lie, I've had a lot of trouble believing that God had the best intentions for me, that God really does know best, or that God has been by my side the whole time. I've lost a lot of faith in the last few months. But you know those things that you know, and believe, you just don't feel at the time? That's exactly where I've been since September. I've known that God is 1000% in control, and that He threw my life interruption at me for a reason. But this last week, He totally revealed Himself to me.
So on Thursday, I was watching Prince Caspian. Now, with the exception of "Braveheart" and "We Were Soldiers", I don't cry unless the movies a chick flick. This movie was amazing. For anyone who doesn't know the Chronicles of Narnia stories, the books, and movies, are basically an allegory or parable. The movies portray God as a Lion, Aslan, and this place called Narnia. Anyway, and totally besides the point, if you haven't watched either of these movies, DO IT. They are both amazing. So anyway, there is this part near the end of Prince Caspian where the opposing army, the Talemarines, are fighting the Narnian army and decide to retreat back to the river. As they come out of the trees, this entire massive army just stops short. Standing on the nearby opposite bank, is the youngest sister of the humans who come, Lucy. This maybe ten year old little girl, stops an entire army from advancing. To make it better, she then draws her simple, small dagger from her pocket, with this look on her face like "Come get me." The Talemarines begin crossing the river...and then the most amazing scene takes place. Aslan steps forward to join Lucy.
Now, tell me this is not so freaking amazing!!!! It is such a sign, that God is always, 100% on our side...and by our side. He's always there. Always. He never leaves, he never forsakes, and he never gives up. How cool is that?? As soon as Aslan walked up next to Lucy, I lost it. And seriously, every time I talk about it or tell someone else about it, I lose it, big time. It's just so awesome to think that God, the Lion, comes to our side when we need him the most...against our biggest obstacles...against our biggest fears. Even when we don't believe he is, he is constant. He never moves. Actually, the whole relationship between Aslan and Lucy is so representative of what we should be in Christ. Lucy, all throughout the movie, is wondering why Aslan is not coming to their aid, but she is also the only one who believes he will come through in the end. Right before the river scene, Lucy goes into the woods to call on Aslan and ask for his help. She is chased by a Talemarine, whom Aslan goes after and knocks off his horse, and scares away. Instantly, he goes from being this protective, aggressive, fearful warrior, to being the loving Father that Lucy loves so dearly. WOW! Seriously? I mean, Disney created this? Really? I couldn't believe it. It was amazing. And it was seriously exactly what I needed to feel that God is there. I've had such a hard time believing it, until now.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Radiant
So yesterday, I went to Radiant Church here in Visalia. Ironically, I had honestly never heard of this church until about two or three months ago. Okay, first off, I love stepping out of my comfort zone, and going to a new church is definitely out of my comfort zone. But it was exactly how a church should be.
After stepping away from my church about a month and a half ago, I've been trying to find something that I fit with. I tried out one that I had heard nothing but good about, and it was good, but it wasn't home. It didn't fit. I didn't fit. It just wasn't right.
Radiant was definitley what a church should look like. It's just a normal building, filled with people from all different backrounds who are simply there to love God and worship him. There was no structure, no instructions, and no pressure. I didn't feel judged. I didn't feel the pressure that I had to stand when worship started. I wasn't told that if I was a Follower of Christ that I had to take communion. It was just there. There was invitation to join in, but it was not as if it was wrong if I didn't do what everyone else was doing. It was just a raw, real, authentic service. Like church should be. It felt like what the original church would have felt like. Just people getting together for community and to learn and hear about God.
And the list keeps growing of reasons for me to stay in Visalia.
After stepping away from my church about a month and a half ago, I've been trying to find something that I fit with. I tried out one that I had heard nothing but good about, and it was good, but it wasn't home. It didn't fit. I didn't fit. It just wasn't right.
Radiant was definitley what a church should look like. It's just a normal building, filled with people from all different backrounds who are simply there to love God and worship him. There was no structure, no instructions, and no pressure. I didn't feel judged. I didn't feel the pressure that I had to stand when worship started. I wasn't told that if I was a Follower of Christ that I had to take communion. It was just there. There was invitation to join in, but it was not as if it was wrong if I didn't do what everyone else was doing. It was just a raw, real, authentic service. Like church should be. It felt like what the original church would have felt like. Just people getting together for community and to learn and hear about God.
And the list keeps growing of reasons for me to stay in Visalia.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
White Horse
So as much as I hate country music, and I hate pessimism (and I am the biggest pessimist I know), I heard this song on Grey's Anatomy, and loved it. It fits so well with life right now. I like it.
White Horse - Taylor Swift
Say you're sorry
That face of an angel comes out
Just when you need it to
As I pace back and forth all this time
'Cause
I honestly believed in you
Holding on,
The days drag on
Stupid girl
I should have known, I should have known
That I'm not a princess
This ain't a fairytale
I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet
Lead her up the stairwell
This ain't Hollywood,
This is a small town
I was a dreamer before you went and let me down
Now its too late for you and your White Horse,
To come around.
Baby I was naïve,
Got lost in your eyes
I never really had a chance
my mistake, i didnt know
to be in love, you had to fight to have the upper hand.
I had so many dreams about you and me
Happy endings;
Now I know
I'm not a princess
This ain't a fairytale
I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet
Lead her up the stairwell
This ain't Hollywood,
This is a small town
I was a dreamer before you went and let me down
Now its too late for you and your White Horse,
To come around.
And there you are on your knees
Begging for forgiveness,
Begging for me
Just like I always wanted,
But I'm so sorry
Cause Im not your princess
This aint a fairytale
Im gonna find someone, Some day
Who might actually treat me well.
This is a big world,
That was a small town
There in my rearview mirror,
Disappearing now.
And it's too late for you and your White Horse
Now its too late for you and your White Horse
To catch me now.
Oh whoa whoa whoa-oh
Try and catch me now
Whoa-Oh
It's too late
To catch me now.
And it's funny that life still goes on, and I can still dream, and still believe in this crap. But sometimes life doesn't seem like a fairytale. Sometimes life feels like a comedy. Sometimes it feels like a tragedy. Sometimes it's a comedy of errors. But I just remember that God's the only one that can see the whole picture. This is just a small part. This is just a glimpse.
White Horse - Taylor Swift
Say you're sorry
That face of an angel comes out
Just when you need it to
As I pace back and forth all this time
'Cause
I honestly believed in you
Holding on,
The days drag on
Stupid girl
I should have known, I should have known
That I'm not a princess
This ain't a fairytale
I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet
Lead her up the stairwell
This ain't Hollywood,
This is a small town
I was a dreamer before you went and let me down
Now its too late for you and your White Horse,
To come around.
Baby I was naïve,
Got lost in your eyes
I never really had a chance
my mistake, i didnt know
to be in love, you had to fight to have the upper hand.
I had so many dreams about you and me
Happy endings;
Now I know
I'm not a princess
This ain't a fairytale
I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet
Lead her up the stairwell
This ain't Hollywood,
This is a small town
I was a dreamer before you went and let me down
Now its too late for you and your White Horse,
To come around.
And there you are on your knees
Begging for forgiveness,
Begging for me
Just like I always wanted,
But I'm so sorry
Cause Im not your princess
This aint a fairytale
Im gonna find someone, Some day
Who might actually treat me well.
This is a big world,
That was a small town
There in my rearview mirror,
Disappearing now.
And it's too late for you and your White Horse
Now its too late for you and your White Horse
To catch me now.
Oh whoa whoa whoa-oh
Try and catch me now
Whoa-Oh
It's too late
To catch me now.
And it's funny that life still goes on, and I can still dream, and still believe in this crap. But sometimes life doesn't seem like a fairytale. Sometimes life feels like a comedy. Sometimes it feels like a tragedy. Sometimes it's a comedy of errors. But I just remember that God's the only one that can see the whole picture. This is just a small part. This is just a glimpse.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Beanie Bash
This Saturday at New Hope Church, we are hosting the Beanie Bash!!! By December, the Beanie Project hopes to complete 1,000 beanies to give to the homeless/impoverished around Tulare Country. If you want to come make beanies with us, it starts at 3:30 pm. New Hope is on the corner of Tulare and Linwood. (The one with the Hershey Kiss roof.)
Monday, November 10, 2008
So cool
A friend emailed me this video, and I can't get the thought out of my mind...
What if every church in Visalia took part in this...
What if even the major churches in Visalia took part in this....
Think of the impact this little city of just over 100,000 people could have on the rest of the world...
If there were even a dollar for each person in the city, think how much that could help.
What if every church in Visalia took part in this...
What if even the major churches in Visalia took part in this....
Think of the impact this little city of just over 100,000 people could have on the rest of the world...
If there were even a dollar for each person in the city, think how much that could help.
Compass
About a year and a half ago, I started writing a children's "Sunday school" curriculum. I gave it up about a two months ago, and didn't ever want to start it again. But I think I'm going to do it again. Basically, it's a theater based curriculum, so it's interactive, and the kids can learn as they watch a live performance. I can't wait to get started again!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Catalyst
So this last week, I made a big decision (well, for me it is anyway) to go to the Catalyst conference in Irvine next Spring. I'm super excited, yet a little anxious about it anyway. It was supposed to be an event attended with another individual, but as that won't be taking place, I'm going on my own. By myself. To L.A. For four days.
Alone.
Totally alone.
Now, let me back track to how this all took place.
A former acquaintance had informed me this was an amazing event. All the best innovators, authors, speakers, etc. to getting a ministry going, and to help lead the church. Something I've always been interested in. So the plan was to go to this together. Then we broke ties. Great. Among all the other hopes and dreams lost, now this one two.
But over the past few weeks, I've become pretty involved with 210 and Elevate. By involved, I mean I don't just come and leave every Tuesday night. I actually stick around and partake in community. In doing so, my desire to devote a lot of my life to ministry has returned.
I also decided on a college major. Costuming. Theatrical Costuming. Now, I want my Academy Award, but I also want to finish writing the children's "church" curriculum I began writing about a year ago. I want to partake in a drama ministry at a church, and help out with that.
So...after that rant....Catalyst. The Catalyst Conference is meant to help visionaries seek out their visions and to apply it to the world today. Basically, it is to help church leaders and followers of Christ who want to make a change, make it.
There's a lot more to it, but it's something I'm seriously stoked about. I haven't been this excited about something in a VERY long time. And I can't wait.
http://www.catalystwestcoast.com/
Alone.
Totally alone.
Now, let me back track to how this all took place.
A former acquaintance had informed me this was an amazing event. All the best innovators, authors, speakers, etc. to getting a ministry going, and to help lead the church. Something I've always been interested in. So the plan was to go to this together. Then we broke ties. Great. Among all the other hopes and dreams lost, now this one two.
But over the past few weeks, I've become pretty involved with 210 and Elevate. By involved, I mean I don't just come and leave every Tuesday night. I actually stick around and partake in community. In doing so, my desire to devote a lot of my life to ministry has returned.
I also decided on a college major. Costuming. Theatrical Costuming. Now, I want my Academy Award, but I also want to finish writing the children's "church" curriculum I began writing about a year ago. I want to partake in a drama ministry at a church, and help out with that.
So...after that rant....Catalyst. The Catalyst Conference is meant to help visionaries seek out their visions and to apply it to the world today. Basically, it is to help church leaders and followers of Christ who want to make a change, make it.
There's a lot more to it, but it's something I'm seriously stoked about. I haven't been this excited about something in a VERY long time. And I can't wait.
http://www.catalystwestcoast.com/
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Commitment
It's not simply about passion....
It's not simply about lining your dreams up with those that God has instilled in your soul from the day you were born...
But it is about Commitment.
To be fully alive is to feel like all in your life is as it should be. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that. But you can't simply expect to have passion evoked in you; you have to find it. Yes, it takes soul searching.
Many lose themselves in the element of pure passion. Many a traveler has taken the wrong road by simply doing what seems exciting at the moment. Passion takes effort, and passion takes commitment.
Now, this may seem redundant of the last one, but bear with me. I do have a point. (And if you haven't read the last one, then for freaking crying out loud, go read it!)
It has taken me two years to learn what true passion is, and I still don't know the answers. I understand, I'm only 19, and I know I will forever be defined by my age and status. But I have learned a lot in the last two years.
Lets look at life this way.
Life is a story. In the prologue, God has written in your heart and very soul what he longs the most for you. He desires for you to live this life that he has planned for you. In the first chapters of your life, you begin to learn what passions and talents God has bestowed upon you. Now, the question is: will you follow what you know to be true?
As in every story, there are two ways to go. The way you desire the most, and the way that seems safe. Safe is never the way to go, and we are supposed to go the way God desires for us. Now, what a lot of people do not realize is that when your desires align with God's, that is when you find yourself to be fully alive.
"With great power comes great responsibility", as is said in Spiderman, can be translated as "With great passion comes great commitment."
What is this telling us?
I was told by someone that you will find yourself in grave trouble if you live a life simply led by passion. I disagree with this. I believe we were called to live a life of passion. No, the Bible does not say "Live with passion". But...If we are to be Christlike in all we do, that shows we truly are to live life with passion. Jesus Christ passionately loved, and loves each and every one of us...so much so that he lived a life passionately for one thing...to passionately die on a cross to release all of us from a horrible and tragic ending to the story. But if you know anything about the power of the cross, then you know that it took commitment. We know from Luke 23:39 "One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed 'So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself - and us too, while you're at it.'" Has this ever hit you before? That Jesus actually did have the power to remove himself from that Cross? Yet he chose to stay there, for you and for me. For all of man kind.
Now tell me that wasn't passionate love for life.
But it took commitment.
Now, in the whole process of committing to our passions. We have passions. We have dreams, and hopes, and fears, and lies. Lies that would hinder us from what we are truly passionate about. If you are truly passionate about anything, you will not simply walk away and pretend like you were never passionate about it in the first place. If you are passionate, you FIGHT for what you are passionate about. Only pansies walk away when you begin to lose passion. If you ever have believed, or even the slightest cared about what you were passionate about, you will stick through it and fight. You will not walk away.
A true warrior pursues a passionate life. You may be confused about your passions, but if you look closely, you will find what you are passionate about.
Now tell me this, does God evoke any passion in you that is wrong? If you actually give up a passion, then it was clearly not from God. However, if you walk away from a passion that you knew (or know) if your heart that God truly did place there, and you walk away simply from doubt, then quite frankly you are not much better then the thief who was crucified beside Jesus.
And yet, commitment takes passion as well. When things begin to get tough, you can not simply walk away. You must choose to choose that passion.
As they say, love is a choice as well as an action. This goes for passion as well. Passion is a choice. To lose a dream should take grieving. I have lost almost every dream I ever had, and I have grieved for them. They are lost, for now, and I must face the days with less passion than the day before. But I know some who simply walk away, and start a new one...with no grievance. This is not the way of the barbarian...or the poet...or the Braveheart. This is the way of the faint hearted, of the weak, of the pansy.
One last thought on commitment. If we are to live a passionate life after Jesus Christ, and are to stay committed to Him, we must choose to be committed. If you lose passion for the on thing you know to be true, then you will lose commitment. Jesus Christ never chose to stop passionately loving you...instead he passionately died for you. How good is that repayment if we give up the passions he has placed in our hearts so that we will better serve him and all of mankind.
As I once said: It takes thousands of men with courage, strength and skill to fight a war; but it takes one man with passion to lead them to victory.
Matthew 13:18-23
It's not simply about lining your dreams up with those that God has instilled in your soul from the day you were born...
But it is about Commitment.
To be fully alive is to feel like all in your life is as it should be. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that. But you can't simply expect to have passion evoked in you; you have to find it. Yes, it takes soul searching.
Many lose themselves in the element of pure passion. Many a traveler has taken the wrong road by simply doing what seems exciting at the moment. Passion takes effort, and passion takes commitment.
Now, this may seem redundant of the last one, but bear with me. I do have a point. (And if you haven't read the last one, then for freaking crying out loud, go read it!)
It has taken me two years to learn what true passion is, and I still don't know the answers. I understand, I'm only 19, and I know I will forever be defined by my age and status. But I have learned a lot in the last two years.
Lets look at life this way.
Life is a story. In the prologue, God has written in your heart and very soul what he longs the most for you. He desires for you to live this life that he has planned for you. In the first chapters of your life, you begin to learn what passions and talents God has bestowed upon you. Now, the question is: will you follow what you know to be true?
As in every story, there are two ways to go. The way you desire the most, and the way that seems safe. Safe is never the way to go, and we are supposed to go the way God desires for us. Now, what a lot of people do not realize is that when your desires align with God's, that is when you find yourself to be fully alive.
"With great power comes great responsibility", as is said in Spiderman, can be translated as "With great passion comes great commitment."
What is this telling us?
I was told by someone that you will find yourself in grave trouble if you live a life simply led by passion. I disagree with this. I believe we were called to live a life of passion. No, the Bible does not say "Live with passion". But...If we are to be Christlike in all we do, that shows we truly are to live life with passion. Jesus Christ passionately loved, and loves each and every one of us...so much so that he lived a life passionately for one thing...to passionately die on a cross to release all of us from a horrible and tragic ending to the story. But if you know anything about the power of the cross, then you know that it took commitment. We know from Luke 23:39 "One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed 'So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself - and us too, while you're at it.'" Has this ever hit you before? That Jesus actually did have the power to remove himself from that Cross? Yet he chose to stay there, for you and for me. For all of man kind.
Now tell me that wasn't passionate love for life.
But it took commitment.
Now, in the whole process of committing to our passions. We have passions. We have dreams, and hopes, and fears, and lies. Lies that would hinder us from what we are truly passionate about. If you are truly passionate about anything, you will not simply walk away and pretend like you were never passionate about it in the first place. If you are passionate, you FIGHT for what you are passionate about. Only pansies walk away when you begin to lose passion. If you ever have believed, or even the slightest cared about what you were passionate about, you will stick through it and fight. You will not walk away.
A true warrior pursues a passionate life. You may be confused about your passions, but if you look closely, you will find what you are passionate about.
Now tell me this, does God evoke any passion in you that is wrong? If you actually give up a passion, then it was clearly not from God. However, if you walk away from a passion that you knew (or know) if your heart that God truly did place there, and you walk away simply from doubt, then quite frankly you are not much better then the thief who was crucified beside Jesus.
And yet, commitment takes passion as well. When things begin to get tough, you can not simply walk away. You must choose to choose that passion.
As they say, love is a choice as well as an action. This goes for passion as well. Passion is a choice. To lose a dream should take grieving. I have lost almost every dream I ever had, and I have grieved for them. They are lost, for now, and I must face the days with less passion than the day before. But I know some who simply walk away, and start a new one...with no grievance. This is not the way of the barbarian...or the poet...or the Braveheart. This is the way of the faint hearted, of the weak, of the pansy.
One last thought on commitment. If we are to live a passionate life after Jesus Christ, and are to stay committed to Him, we must choose to be committed. If you lose passion for the on thing you know to be true, then you will lose commitment. Jesus Christ never chose to stop passionately loving you...instead he passionately died for you. How good is that repayment if we give up the passions he has placed in our hearts so that we will better serve him and all of mankind.
As I once said: It takes thousands of men with courage, strength and skill to fight a war; but it takes one man with passion to lead them to victory.
Matthew 13:18-23
Sunday, October 5, 2008
An Original Life
So I've been reading Erwin McManus' new book, Wide Awake and it's pretty amazing. It's been opening my eyes to what God intended for every single man on earth...to life life wide open. To be able to sit in heaven some day and say that you were fully alive when you died. It's something not every man or woman will accomplish, and it's certainly not something a lot of people strive for, but it is something worth fighting for.
All our lives, we have a dream. Maybe it's a dream to teach college statistics. Maybe it's a dream to open up a special education academy. Maybe it's a dream to simply stay home and spend time with your kids. All are dreams that someone, somewhere has.
But there are others who, as Erwin would put it, wake up ever day with that sad feeling in their heart, like their not living the life they were supposed to. Somewhere along the road, they missed the exit sign, kept going, and now they're stuck in a foreign land they never saw themselves in. And they feel as though they're suffocating.
This book explains how every single person longs to live a certain life. Those who are in tune with what God would desire for them usually have the same desires and passions. The book begins with the Hero. Each of us has a hero, a Barbarian (another Erwin book), who longs to awaken and pursue. It then proceeds to the artist, who longs to create. With a creative father who is our God, it is only natural that we should long to create something of our own. (And sometimes, we are the apprentice, and God is the painter, and it's up to us to keep the picture going...but we had blueprints). Next is the explorer, who yearns to find a new approach, who isn't afraid to jump head first out of the boat. Soon after, we have the believer. The one who believes what they are hearing is what they can do. They are the ones to dream big, and believe in the impossible. You can see the progression of the book. We all have our own parts to play, we just have to be willing to fit into them.
What I've learned the most of this book is how there are so many amazing people in the Bible who fit into each of these categories that God called to do specific things. But Erwin also speaks about each of our dreams. We all at one time or another have wanted to do something amazing with our lives. Maybe we've wanted to entertain. We like to see the looks on people's faces when we make them laugh. Maybe we've wanted to be a communicator, so we know that we are reaching out to people. Maybe we feel we're called to do mission work, but feel we don't have the talent. This is where God steps in. "Oh, but my friends tell me I sing amazing, and that I'm destined to be the next American idol." How many times have we heard this?? Some of us don't have talent to do the things we want to do. But honestly, look at some of the people who don't make it to the finals: Look at their lives. One of the people that tried out this year actually said "Well, I figure I'll try making it big for a while in singing, and then I'll go do what I really want to do." Okay....tell me if I'm wrong, but why would you try so hard and go through so much to try something you don't desire to do..and then be devastated when you're not picked??? (Am I being cynical?) But what if your passion keeps failing you? It just gets tired and worn out...it doesn't work, and you just stop caring as much as you once did. Does that mean you're not supposed to be doing what you're doing?
No, living your life of dreams is not simply pursing everything with passion. Yes, living out your dreams does involve passion and strength and honor. But that must not simply be what your life is about. Erwin states that "There are things you have to do if you're going to live out your dreams...Greatness is not simply the result of genetics but of hard work. Often, the person who has the most luck is the person who won't quit. To live a life that takes your breath away, you have to be willing to get winded." You have to be willing to fail at some things. You can not just simply become passionate about something, and the minute it becomes clear that its not working quite the way you hoped, you quit it. You have to fight for it. You have to become passionate about the passion. You must be willing to fall...and fail...and get up and try again.
And above all, if you know what your passions and dreams are, you can never fail and then just quit. You must not settle for less than your hearts greatest desire. If you yearn to be a hero, you must not settle to be a side kick. If you know you want to communicate a beautiful and perfect message of Salvation and Love to the world, you can not settle for sitting in a group and discussing once a week for the rest of your life (I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but it is settling, wouldn't you say?). If your talents align with your passion, go teach kids. Go speak to the world. Go live life wide awake. Live it with passion. Live life to the fullest.
Look at William Wallace in Braveheart. Some would say he failed, because he died before he led his men to freedom. But seriously, anyone who thinks this is a moron. He died living Wide Awake. He was passionate about his country, and fought for what he believed in. I'm sure he lost passion or insight once or twice, but he knew what his greatest desire was. Yet, after being captured, and on his deathbed, he still exhibited passion for what he believed in. He could have denied his passion, and asked for an easy death as so many had before. But, knowing that his death would thereafter be painful, and knowing that he would still die a painful death, he yelled with passion "FREEDOM!" If only we could have that type of passion, at a time in which we could easily just walk away, and give up.
I heard a message a while back about what happens when your career is interrupted. The man giving the sermon had been through a lot of career/life interruptions, but knew one thing: he had a desire to do what God wanted, and he pursued it. God had a huge plan for him, and he was willing to listen to God, even at times when he didn't trust Him, and set his eyes on what he knew was right. Now he's doing something he's passionate about, and living life Wide Awake.
Now, I know all of us are saying, "Well, those people who succeed were just in the right place at the right time. Opportunity never comes to me. I try, and I fail. I get fired. I get dumped. I get thrown to the side of the road. But no one comes and picks me up." Really? No one?
What about God?
One of my favorite quotes comes from one of the most ridiculous movies, but it rings so true. From Extreme Days comes, "When God throws you a curve ball...Don't duck. You just might miss something." Isn't that so true? God has a plan. God knows what's best for us. God will come through for us. You just have to listen to what he is saying. You just have to have faith.
Now some simply stop trying. They dream beautiful dreams, begin to pursue them, and at the first sign of failure, they give up all hope and walk away...never looking back. Is it because they never had passion for it in the first place, or did they lose passion because others were not as passionate about it as they? You can not simply give up, and just be done! You have to work at what you're trying to succeed at. Thomas Edison....He tried over 200 different ways to create a light-bulb, a simple household appliance these days. What do you think would have happened if after try, oh lets just pretend it's 23, he had decided "Hey, I can't get this to work, people aren't as excited or committed to the project as I am, to heck with it all"? Would someone else had figured it out later on, or would I be sitting in my bedroom with a kerosene lamp next to my desk? What if Walt Disney, after being told he had no imagination, decided "Well I guess that guy was right. I'll just try the military for a while" and not created the Most Magical Place On Earth? Come on now, I'm an adult, and my favorite place to be is still Disneyland. Can't you just get so caught up into it? What if that had never happened. What if...
I personally long for a life of passion. I know that some things I will be less passionate about than others. But I have been able to realize what I am truly passionate about, and what I simply think would be interesting. I am passionate about sewing. Now, as much as I love my job, and as many opportunities as Starbucks has, I don't believe that I necessarily want to stay there to pursue those passions. I once wanted to work in their design department, but that is simply something I thought would be really cool. A dream I once shared in was to open a fine arts academy. I still long to do that, and be a costume designer for performances that would happen there. This I know is a passion I plan to pursue. However, some of us must accomplish other tasks before moving on to a passion. I am not passionate about college, but it is something I must complete. I couldn't care less about a college experience (Hello, I'm not having one now...I'm at COS...in Visalia...point made.), but I know I must complete my courses in order to learn more and realize more of how to make my passion of opening a studio come to life. But I am not passionate about having a college experience.
Now, I do not believe in predestination. I don't believe that God hand-picked the people who will go to heaven, and who will not. I believe he allows us to make that choice, and it depends what road we decide to take. (Sorry Dad). However, I do believe that God does have a plan for each and every one of us, and that He tells us what we should do. That does not mean it's picked out for us, but that does mean there is a better road than the one we think we know everything about. God placed those dreams and desires in our hearts for a reason. And he intends for us to follow them. But what voice we choose to follow is up to us. We can choose the easy way out, or we can choose to fight the battles and do what it takes to make our hearts deepest desires come true. But it does take passion.
So don't give up on your dreams, don't stop believing. You must believe. You must have faith. You must pursue that which will create in you an original life that will allow you to accomplish your dreams. You must dream...so you can live life Wide Awake.
All our lives, we have a dream. Maybe it's a dream to teach college statistics. Maybe it's a dream to open up a special education academy. Maybe it's a dream to simply stay home and spend time with your kids. All are dreams that someone, somewhere has.
But there are others who, as Erwin would put it, wake up ever day with that sad feeling in their heart, like their not living the life they were supposed to. Somewhere along the road, they missed the exit sign, kept going, and now they're stuck in a foreign land they never saw themselves in. And they feel as though they're suffocating.
This book explains how every single person longs to live a certain life. Those who are in tune with what God would desire for them usually have the same desires and passions. The book begins with the Hero. Each of us has a hero, a Barbarian (another Erwin book), who longs to awaken and pursue. It then proceeds to the artist, who longs to create. With a creative father who is our God, it is only natural that we should long to create something of our own. (And sometimes, we are the apprentice, and God is the painter, and it's up to us to keep the picture going...but we had blueprints). Next is the explorer, who yearns to find a new approach, who isn't afraid to jump head first out of the boat. Soon after, we have the believer. The one who believes what they are hearing is what they can do. They are the ones to dream big, and believe in the impossible. You can see the progression of the book. We all have our own parts to play, we just have to be willing to fit into them.
What I've learned the most of this book is how there are so many amazing people in the Bible who fit into each of these categories that God called to do specific things. But Erwin also speaks about each of our dreams. We all at one time or another have wanted to do something amazing with our lives. Maybe we've wanted to entertain. We like to see the looks on people's faces when we make them laugh. Maybe we've wanted to be a communicator, so we know that we are reaching out to people. Maybe we feel we're called to do mission work, but feel we don't have the talent. This is where God steps in. "Oh, but my friends tell me I sing amazing, and that I'm destined to be the next American idol." How many times have we heard this?? Some of us don't have talent to do the things we want to do. But honestly, look at some of the people who don't make it to the finals: Look at their lives. One of the people that tried out this year actually said "Well, I figure I'll try making it big for a while in singing, and then I'll go do what I really want to do." Okay....tell me if I'm wrong, but why would you try so hard and go through so much to try something you don't desire to do..and then be devastated when you're not picked??? (Am I being cynical?) But what if your passion keeps failing you? It just gets tired and worn out...it doesn't work, and you just stop caring as much as you once did. Does that mean you're not supposed to be doing what you're doing?
No, living your life of dreams is not simply pursing everything with passion. Yes, living out your dreams does involve passion and strength and honor. But that must not simply be what your life is about. Erwin states that "There are things you have to do if you're going to live out your dreams...Greatness is not simply the result of genetics but of hard work. Often, the person who has the most luck is the person who won't quit. To live a life that takes your breath away, you have to be willing to get winded." You have to be willing to fail at some things. You can not just simply become passionate about something, and the minute it becomes clear that its not working quite the way you hoped, you quit it. You have to fight for it. You have to become passionate about the passion. You must be willing to fall...and fail...and get up and try again.
And above all, if you know what your passions and dreams are, you can never fail and then just quit. You must not settle for less than your hearts greatest desire. If you yearn to be a hero, you must not settle to be a side kick. If you know you want to communicate a beautiful and perfect message of Salvation and Love to the world, you can not settle for sitting in a group and discussing once a week for the rest of your life (I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but it is settling, wouldn't you say?). If your talents align with your passion, go teach kids. Go speak to the world. Go live life wide awake. Live it with passion. Live life to the fullest.
Look at William Wallace in Braveheart. Some would say he failed, because he died before he led his men to freedom. But seriously, anyone who thinks this is a moron. He died living Wide Awake. He was passionate about his country, and fought for what he believed in. I'm sure he lost passion or insight once or twice, but he knew what his greatest desire was. Yet, after being captured, and on his deathbed, he still exhibited passion for what he believed in. He could have denied his passion, and asked for an easy death as so many had before. But, knowing that his death would thereafter be painful, and knowing that he would still die a painful death, he yelled with passion "FREEDOM!" If only we could have that type of passion, at a time in which we could easily just walk away, and give up.
I heard a message a while back about what happens when your career is interrupted. The man giving the sermon had been through a lot of career/life interruptions, but knew one thing: he had a desire to do what God wanted, and he pursued it. God had a huge plan for him, and he was willing to listen to God, even at times when he didn't trust Him, and set his eyes on what he knew was right. Now he's doing something he's passionate about, and living life Wide Awake.
Now, I know all of us are saying, "Well, those people who succeed were just in the right place at the right time. Opportunity never comes to me. I try, and I fail. I get fired. I get dumped. I get thrown to the side of the road. But no one comes and picks me up." Really? No one?
What about God?
One of my favorite quotes comes from one of the most ridiculous movies, but it rings so true. From Extreme Days comes, "When God throws you a curve ball...Don't duck. You just might miss something." Isn't that so true? God has a plan. God knows what's best for us. God will come through for us. You just have to listen to what he is saying. You just have to have faith.
Now some simply stop trying. They dream beautiful dreams, begin to pursue them, and at the first sign of failure, they give up all hope and walk away...never looking back. Is it because they never had passion for it in the first place, or did they lose passion because others were not as passionate about it as they? You can not simply give up, and just be done! You have to work at what you're trying to succeed at. Thomas Edison....He tried over 200 different ways to create a light-bulb, a simple household appliance these days. What do you think would have happened if after try, oh lets just pretend it's 23, he had decided "Hey, I can't get this to work, people aren't as excited or committed to the project as I am, to heck with it all"? Would someone else had figured it out later on, or would I be sitting in my bedroom with a kerosene lamp next to my desk? What if Walt Disney, after being told he had no imagination, decided "Well I guess that guy was right. I'll just try the military for a while" and not created the Most Magical Place On Earth? Come on now, I'm an adult, and my favorite place to be is still Disneyland. Can't you just get so caught up into it? What if that had never happened. What if...
I personally long for a life of passion. I know that some things I will be less passionate about than others. But I have been able to realize what I am truly passionate about, and what I simply think would be interesting. I am passionate about sewing. Now, as much as I love my job, and as many opportunities as Starbucks has, I don't believe that I necessarily want to stay there to pursue those passions. I once wanted to work in their design department, but that is simply something I thought would be really cool. A dream I once shared in was to open a fine arts academy. I still long to do that, and be a costume designer for performances that would happen there. This I know is a passion I plan to pursue. However, some of us must accomplish other tasks before moving on to a passion. I am not passionate about college, but it is something I must complete. I couldn't care less about a college experience (Hello, I'm not having one now...I'm at COS...in Visalia...point made.), but I know I must complete my courses in order to learn more and realize more of how to make my passion of opening a studio come to life. But I am not passionate about having a college experience.
Now, I do not believe in predestination. I don't believe that God hand-picked the people who will go to heaven, and who will not. I believe he allows us to make that choice, and it depends what road we decide to take. (Sorry Dad). However, I do believe that God does have a plan for each and every one of us, and that He tells us what we should do. That does not mean it's picked out for us, but that does mean there is a better road than the one we think we know everything about. God placed those dreams and desires in our hearts for a reason. And he intends for us to follow them. But what voice we choose to follow is up to us. We can choose the easy way out, or we can choose to fight the battles and do what it takes to make our hearts deepest desires come true. But it does take passion.
So don't give up on your dreams, don't stop believing. You must believe. You must have faith. You must pursue that which will create in you an original life that will allow you to accomplish your dreams. You must dream...so you can live life Wide Awake.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Alice.
Remember in Alice in Wonderland when she's walking on the path and the little dog with the broom nose comes along and wipes away the path she's been walking on, walks around her, and then erases the rest of the path?
Yeah, that's kinda where I'm at.
It's interesting
Yeah, that's kinda where I'm at.
It's interesting
Friday, September 19, 2008
Two Roads
"...Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
I took the one less traveled by,
And it has made all the difference."
Sometimes the road we think for so long is the right one turn out to be the road that leads to an even greater road. Leaving the road you've been on hurts more than you can imagine sometimes, but in the end, it is the road that leads to Life and the Right way that really matters. And some simply take the road that has been taken many times, and live to look back and regret taking it. But those who take the road less taken often find it was the wise choice to make, as I'm sure this will turn out similar.
I took the one less traveled by,
And it has made all the difference."
Sometimes the road we think for so long is the right one turn out to be the road that leads to an even greater road. Leaving the road you've been on hurts more than you can imagine sometimes, but in the end, it is the road that leads to Life and the Right way that really matters. And some simply take the road that has been taken many times, and live to look back and regret taking it. But those who take the road less taken often find it was the wise choice to make, as I'm sure this will turn out similar.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Relationship: A New Beginning
So as I was having a conversation with a friend over coffee the other day, we got on the subject of atheism, people who are agnostic, (or believe something completely different than either one of us believe), and the whole conversation got me thinking.
I have a different friend who is pretty agnostic. Everything to them is "religion"...nothing is a relationship. And then I started thinking about it. What I believe is the only relational "religion" (ick, that word just makes me want to call it a cuss word) I can think of. I mean, seriously, tell me another "religion", or belief system if you will, that characterizes the interaction between the "deity" and the humans as relational...I can't think of any. In most religions and cultures, if you do not believe a certain thing or act a certain way or pray a certain prayer, your doomed. And you are not to think of that deity as a loving, compassionate, caring father...but rather a dictator who you have to worship and you have to pray a certain prayer to. And on top of that certain prayer, that certain title, that certain worship...you also have to fear. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we shouldn't fear God, and we shouldn't pray certain prayers, and we shouldn't act a certain way. That's not at all what I'm saying. But to be honest, if that's all there was to "Christianity" and faith, I'm sorry to say I'd want nothing to do with it either, as so many from this generation are doing now. But we as Christians have a relationship with God...a personal, intimate, spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. How amazing is that? God is all about relationship; why else would He send us His son to walk and talk with us, and show us the way, the truth and the light? Why else would Jesus Christ Himself be willing to die on the cross for what we, 2000 years later, would do? Jesus was only on earth for 33 years, yet he died for the sins of countless ages!!! All because he wants a relationship with us. Name a religion where the "deity" (and I'm only using that term for lack of a better one) was as self-sacrificing as that...name a religion where the deity craved relationship just as we crave it...
In the midst of talking about this, we also strayed onto the topic of judgmental Christians, something that I find appalling (and ironically, what the sermon is about at my church this week). I was listening to a sermon from Mosaic in LA, and Eric, one of the pastors there quoted a verse that sums up exactly what I feel about this topic.
"I'm praying not only for them
But also for those who will believe in me
Because of them and their witness about me.
The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
So they'll be as unified and together as we are—
I in them and you in me.
Then they'll be mature in this oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you've sent me and loved them
In the same way you've loved me."
That is John 17:20-23 of The Message Bible. There is so much in those three verses. One, Jesus is praying to His father, and our Heavenly Father as well. But what he is saying is that the church, the entire church and kingdom of God, will become one body and speak one truth and love God and show that love to those around them. "Then they'll be mature in this oneness, and give the godless world evidence That you've sent me and loved them i the same way you've loved me" WOW! If only certain churches would follow this. It drives me crazy that certain Christians can be so judgmental of people who believe something different than what they believe. (Okay, so what I started off with about relationship may seem judgmental, but I'm only stating an observation. I've known many people from many different religions, and I love them all. Almost everyone that I have had strong disagreements with and arguments with were people that have the same beliefs as me).
There was an incident a while back at an event where a group of people was told not to associate with another group of people for various reasons I'm not going to go into. But this was not told in a warning way of "I'm begging you as a friend, please don't do this". It was said in an attacking, belligerent, spiteful and vengeful way...you know, Christlike behavior, right? (at a "Christian" event.) When I heard this, I was shocked that i actually knew people who were actually concerned with what this person had said, and were wondering "Oh my, I wonder if I should even associate myself with that person anymore. So and so said we shouldn't even talk to them." Of course, followers of Christ should never talk to another follower of Christ who believes something different....only people that go by certain books. In the same message that Eric talked about the John passage, he spoke about an event that was at Mosaic last year. Every year, Mosaic hold a conference titled "Origins" which I hear is an amazing, life-changing experience. Now Irwin McManus, (The Barbarian Way Check out the Mosaic podcast...there are some amazing messages) one of the most brilliant and amazing authors in my opinion, gets a lot of crap from people because of his rash statements and his totally out-of-the-box thinking...but his thinking makes sense. Anyway, on the day before the last day of the conference, Eric found a letter on an Irwin-bashing blog that talked about how "an informant at the Origins conference..." had said that Irwin said such and such and how horrible it was. Eric decided to go ahead and give it to Irwin so he could just see it. The next day, Irwin did something shocking. He read the letter out loud...on stage...at the conference...then followed by saying "If the 'informant' of this letter is still sitting here in this audience, just know that you're still welcome here...and I hope that you've felt loved and welcomed and encouraged even in your ministry." How much more Christ-like could the event that I was talking about been if something like this had been said instead of "Christian-bashing" by other Christians?? My gosh! How dare we as Christians say we're better than anyone else? How dare we pick apart other Christians and say that they're evil and we should have no part in them? Even if there is a belief system that is horrible, how dare we disassociate ourselves with that group and demand that others do the same? My gosh, it was the type of people who act unloving that Jesus tested (the pharasies, religious leaders of the time). No, instead, Jesus was loving to those who were loving, and harsh on those who acted harshly. If we are going to continue talking down other religions and other denominations other than our own, and demand that our way is the only way because we know we're right and everyone else is doomed, why would anyone in their right mind want to follow a group of people so intent on leaving others out?
I have a different friend who is pretty agnostic. Everything to them is "religion"...nothing is a relationship. And then I started thinking about it. What I believe is the only relational "religion" (ick, that word just makes me want to call it a cuss word) I can think of. I mean, seriously, tell me another "religion", or belief system if you will, that characterizes the interaction between the "deity" and the humans as relational...I can't think of any. In most religions and cultures, if you do not believe a certain thing or act a certain way or pray a certain prayer, your doomed. And you are not to think of that deity as a loving, compassionate, caring father...but rather a dictator who you have to worship and you have to pray a certain prayer to. And on top of that certain prayer, that certain title, that certain worship...you also have to fear. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we shouldn't fear God, and we shouldn't pray certain prayers, and we shouldn't act a certain way. That's not at all what I'm saying. But to be honest, if that's all there was to "Christianity" and faith, I'm sorry to say I'd want nothing to do with it either, as so many from this generation are doing now. But we as Christians have a relationship with God...a personal, intimate, spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. How amazing is that? God is all about relationship; why else would He send us His son to walk and talk with us, and show us the way, the truth and the light? Why else would Jesus Christ Himself be willing to die on the cross for what we, 2000 years later, would do? Jesus was only on earth for 33 years, yet he died for the sins of countless ages!!! All because he wants a relationship with us. Name a religion where the "deity" (and I'm only using that term for lack of a better one) was as self-sacrificing as that...name a religion where the deity craved relationship just as we crave it...
In the midst of talking about this, we also strayed onto the topic of judgmental Christians, something that I find appalling (and ironically, what the sermon is about at my church this week). I was listening to a sermon from Mosaic in LA, and Eric, one of the pastors there quoted a verse that sums up exactly what I feel about this topic.
"I'm praying not only for them
But also for those who will believe in me
Because of them and their witness about me.
The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
So they'll be as unified and together as we are—
I in them and you in me.
Then they'll be mature in this oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you've sent me and loved them
In the same way you've loved me."
That is John 17:20-23 of The Message Bible. There is so much in those three verses. One, Jesus is praying to His father, and our Heavenly Father as well. But what he is saying is that the church, the entire church and kingdom of God, will become one body and speak one truth and love God and show that love to those around them. "Then they'll be mature in this oneness, and give the godless world evidence That you've sent me and loved them i the same way you've loved me" WOW! If only certain churches would follow this. It drives me crazy that certain Christians can be so judgmental of people who believe something different than what they believe. (Okay, so what I started off with about relationship may seem judgmental, but I'm only stating an observation. I've known many people from many different religions, and I love them all. Almost everyone that I have had strong disagreements with and arguments with were people that have the same beliefs as me).
There was an incident a while back at an event where a group of people was told not to associate with another group of people for various reasons I'm not going to go into. But this was not told in a warning way of "I'm begging you as a friend, please don't do this". It was said in an attacking, belligerent, spiteful and vengeful way...you know, Christlike behavior, right? (at a "Christian" event.) When I heard this, I was shocked that i actually knew people who were actually concerned with what this person had said, and were wondering "Oh my, I wonder if I should even associate myself with that person anymore. So and so said we shouldn't even talk to them." Of course, followers of Christ should never talk to another follower of Christ who believes something different....only people that go by certain books. In the same message that Eric talked about the John passage, he spoke about an event that was at Mosaic last year. Every year, Mosaic hold a conference titled "Origins" which I hear is an amazing, life-changing experience. Now Irwin McManus, (The Barbarian Way Check out the Mosaic podcast...there are some amazing messages) one of the most brilliant and amazing authors in my opinion, gets a lot of crap from people because of his rash statements and his totally out-of-the-box thinking...but his thinking makes sense. Anyway, on the day before the last day of the conference, Eric found a letter on an Irwin-bashing blog that talked about how "an informant at the Origins conference..." had said that Irwin said such and such and how horrible it was. Eric decided to go ahead and give it to Irwin so he could just see it. The next day, Irwin did something shocking. He read the letter out loud...on stage...at the conference...then followed by saying "If the 'informant' of this letter is still sitting here in this audience, just know that you're still welcome here...and I hope that you've felt loved and welcomed and encouraged even in your ministry." How much more Christ-like could the event that I was talking about been if something like this had been said instead of "Christian-bashing" by other Christians?? My gosh! How dare we as Christians say we're better than anyone else? How dare we pick apart other Christians and say that they're evil and we should have no part in them? Even if there is a belief system that is horrible, how dare we disassociate ourselves with that group and demand that others do the same? My gosh, it was the type of people who act unloving that Jesus tested (the pharasies, religious leaders of the time). No, instead, Jesus was loving to those who were loving, and harsh on those who acted harshly. If we are going to continue talking down other religions and other denominations other than our own, and demand that our way is the only way because we know we're right and everyone else is doomed, why would anyone in their right mind want to follow a group of people so intent on leaving others out?
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
What I have Learned
I've learned that you can never dream too big, wish too far, or hope too much.
I've learned that things are not always what they seem, and usually when there's no hope to be found, that's where hope is most abundant.
I've learned that you can never simply look at the surface, but rather look at the root of the issue...there you will find what the truth of the matter is, and learn what to do.
I've learned that sometimes that voice that won't leave you alone is almost always right...I say almost because sometimes that little voice is your own telling you the wrong thing.
I've learned that sometimes the road less traveled is the one you really need to follow....Let me rephrase that, the barbarian road is the one you must travel in order to find life.
I've learned that trusting God and not yourself really is the best way to go...maybe we should listen to the last seven thousand years of wisdom.
I've learned that light can often be seen, even in the darkest times....sometimes that light is the only thing we see.
I've learned that when you don't trust God, He finds someone to help you know what it feels like.
I've learned that when you really do reach rock bottom, the only way to go really is up....and sometimes you reach the clouds.
I've learned that when you feel abandoned and alone, the One who's usually left is the one you should stand beside forever.
I've learned that when you've been hurt beyond words, sometimes it's just best to love back beyond words...even if it nearly kills you.
I've learned that when your on your knees with grief, your in the perfect position to pray with everything in you.
I've learned that when you fall down, the hardest thing is to get back up and start all over again...even if it's down a different path...but it's the right thing to do.
I've learned that when there are nothing but clouds in your sky, there is always some little glimmer of sunshine....no matter how small and insignificant it may seem.
I've learned a lot over the last year. But I wouldn't trade it for the world. I have a lot of learning left to do, and I can't wait.
I've learned that things are not always what they seem, and usually when there's no hope to be found, that's where hope is most abundant.
I've learned that you can never simply look at the surface, but rather look at the root of the issue...there you will find what the truth of the matter is, and learn what to do.
I've learned that sometimes that voice that won't leave you alone is almost always right...I say almost because sometimes that little voice is your own telling you the wrong thing.
I've learned that sometimes the road less traveled is the one you really need to follow....Let me rephrase that, the barbarian road is the one you must travel in order to find life.
I've learned that trusting God and not yourself really is the best way to go...maybe we should listen to the last seven thousand years of wisdom.
I've learned that light can often be seen, even in the darkest times....sometimes that light is the only thing we see.
I've learned that when you don't trust God, He finds someone to help you know what it feels like.
I've learned that when you really do reach rock bottom, the only way to go really is up....and sometimes you reach the clouds.
I've learned that when you feel abandoned and alone, the One who's usually left is the one you should stand beside forever.
I've learned that when you've been hurt beyond words, sometimes it's just best to love back beyond words...even if it nearly kills you.
I've learned that when your on your knees with grief, your in the perfect position to pray with everything in you.
I've learned that when you fall down, the hardest thing is to get back up and start all over again...even if it's down a different path...but it's the right thing to do.
I've learned that when there are nothing but clouds in your sky, there is always some little glimmer of sunshine....no matter how small and insignificant it may seem.
I've learned a lot over the last year. But I wouldn't trade it for the world. I have a lot of learning left to do, and I can't wait.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Good Enough
Just what does it mean to be good enough? To be a good enough...
Daughter, Mother, Brother, Friend, Employee, Employer, helper, neighbor, father, sister, cousin, wife, husband, grandparent....you fill in the blank.
In fact, what does "good enough" really mean? Does it mean being successful? Does it mean simply being good? Does it simply mean that it will keep most people happy, yet a few dissatisfied. Or should you simply try to be good enough in every single solitary genre of your life (aka, those listed above.) Is "good enough" below good? Basically, are you just short of the par of "good" if you are "good enough"?
Life's toughest question; Can you make everyone happy? Or better yet, can you even make anyone happy? Or "happy enough" that they don't always ask you to work harder because your not good enough?
Of course not.
My question: Is "good enough" equivalent to success?
Proverbs 16:3 says "Commit your actions to the Lord, and you shall succeed."
So if we're right with God, will we succeed? And does success here mean success in life, love, wealth...what? In my personal opinion, I believe whoever wrote this particular Proverb meant that we will have success in everything if we commit our actions to God.
It's an interesting thought...it makes me want to stop looking at the individual fires in my life and look at the big one that needs to be kindled because of the Life it brings...the fire of love for God, and the one that keeps the other fires burning.
Daughter, Mother, Brother, Friend, Employee, Employer, helper, neighbor, father, sister, cousin, wife, husband, grandparent....you fill in the blank.
In fact, what does "good enough" really mean? Does it mean being successful? Does it mean simply being good? Does it simply mean that it will keep most people happy, yet a few dissatisfied. Or should you simply try to be good enough in every single solitary genre of your life (aka, those listed above.) Is "good enough" below good? Basically, are you just short of the par of "good" if you are "good enough"?
Life's toughest question; Can you make everyone happy? Or better yet, can you even make anyone happy? Or "happy enough" that they don't always ask you to work harder because your not good enough?
Of course not.
My question: Is "good enough" equivalent to success?
Proverbs 16:3 says "Commit your actions to the Lord, and you shall succeed."
So if we're right with God, will we succeed? And does success here mean success in life, love, wealth...what? In my personal opinion, I believe whoever wrote this particular Proverb meant that we will have success in everything if we commit our actions to God.
It's an interesting thought...it makes me want to stop looking at the individual fires in my life and look at the big one that needs to be kindled because of the Life it brings...the fire of love for God, and the one that keeps the other fires burning.
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