"A measure of the degree to which an object opposes an electric current through it", this is one of the definitions for the word resistance. In today's society, this word can mean an underground movement or opposition to someone or some government in power. In my meditations recently, I have been contemplating this word in regards to something a bit different. An earlier post was focused on listening to the call of God regarding what we were created for. Our calling so to speak.
In that post, it was more about being able to truly listen to that quiet voice of God that exists within us. My spiritual practices have opened me up to hearing the message, but how do I move past resisting the direction it is leading me. Remember when you were young and your mom called out from the back porch that dinner was ready. However, you weren't ready for dinner, so you kept playing pretending not to hear the call. That is a passive form of resistance.
What is it that keeps so many of us from doing what we truly long to do? Why is there always a naysayer within that keeps us from following the call. Like water running downhill, we tend to follow the path of least resistance. We choose that which allows us to merely survive rather than thrive. Resistance arises from the depths of our minds, our cultural upbringing, the preference for what we know versus the adventure of the unknown. How do we get past or around this resistance?
For me, it has to be faith and hope that gets me through, and maybe that is the way to go. Through the resistance rather than around. Along with the call to do what we were meant to do comes the limitations that go along with it. Many of these limitations are in regard to our wants and desires. Physical or material comforts. Things that get in the way of what we truly need! In order to move through these, we have to come to accept these limitations. By accepting these through a grieving process, we will be able to see the real blessings that God is trying to give us.
Do you want to just survive, or would you rather thrive? Lose the resistance to that deep inner voice of God. Follow His voice and thrive!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Better Together
Much of my posts in the past have had to do with finding peace and serenity in life. I have found these things in my Spiritual practices which include meditation and prayer. Both of these I prefer to do in solitude and on my own. This past weekend reminded me of how it is sometimes best to include others.
Pastor Paul and I headed out early Friday morning for a road trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan to celebrate worship at Mars Hill Bible Church. I have been a follower of Rob Bell and the Mars Hill activity for about five years now. It began with reading "Velvet Elvis", one of Rob Bell's books about the church and its role in serving Christ. I have wanted to visit Mars Hill since reading this book the first time. Passing the book on to Pastor Paul, he became a fan and we included Rob's NOOMA series videos in our services over Lent last year. Since Paul is on a sabbatical and working to redevelop our outreach vision. I finally had my opportunity.
The worship service was very different for this Lutheran. Celebrated in "The Shed", a converted big box store in a mall, we started with a varied mix of music led by a dynamic music group. An inspiring message from Shane Hipps followed and that was it. No liturgy, Lords Prayer or communion. A very different, yet awesome worship experience.
Had we not had the experience together, it would have been hard to describe to Paul what my feelings really were. We spent many of our travel hours discussing what to do with what we had witnessed. Thoughts flowed and ideas were tossed back and forth like a tennis match. It is hard to play tennis, or any other game by yourself.
One of the things that I have learned over the past four years is that when we try to do life alone, it just doesn't work well. It's too hard and we soon get lost in our aloneness. Try going to the movies alone, or dining alone. God made life to work better together. When we live in community with one another, we share the burdens that life gives us and celebrate successes so much better together. Life is never more complete than when you do it in relationship.
Share your life. Don't just let Jesus be your personal Savior, share Him with everyone!
Pastor Paul and I headed out early Friday morning for a road trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan to celebrate worship at Mars Hill Bible Church. I have been a follower of Rob Bell and the Mars Hill activity for about five years now. It began with reading "Velvet Elvis", one of Rob Bell's books about the church and its role in serving Christ. I have wanted to visit Mars Hill since reading this book the first time. Passing the book on to Pastor Paul, he became a fan and we included Rob's NOOMA series videos in our services over Lent last year. Since Paul is on a sabbatical and working to redevelop our outreach vision. I finally had my opportunity.
The worship service was very different for this Lutheran. Celebrated in "The Shed", a converted big box store in a mall, we started with a varied mix of music led by a dynamic music group. An inspiring message from Shane Hipps followed and that was it. No liturgy, Lords Prayer or communion. A very different, yet awesome worship experience.
Had we not had the experience together, it would have been hard to describe to Paul what my feelings really were. We spent many of our travel hours discussing what to do with what we had witnessed. Thoughts flowed and ideas were tossed back and forth like a tennis match. It is hard to play tennis, or any other game by yourself.
One of the things that I have learned over the past four years is that when we try to do life alone, it just doesn't work well. It's too hard and we soon get lost in our aloneness. Try going to the movies alone, or dining alone. God made life to work better together. When we live in community with one another, we share the burdens that life gives us and celebrate successes so much better together. Life is never more complete than when you do it in relationship.
Share your life. Don't just let Jesus be your personal Savior, share Him with everyone!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Berry Picking
They hang dark purple in the afternoon sun. Ripe morsels on sun filled sweetness. I reach through the leaves to gather these tiny globes, wary of the biting thorns that hold them fast.
We have an abandoned cabin next door that hasn't seen an owner in over six years now. Ruthie died many years back and the daughters who now own the property are in California and only came back once six years ago to box up some of the contents. We still tend the yard and beach as we have the past twenty five years now, lest it become overgrown and impassible. Our only compensation is the growth of wild black raspberries that have taken over the front of the cabin, now blocking entry to the door that remains unlocked!
Picking these little gems is a bit of task. The thorns on the canes are extremely sharp and grabbing as I reach through to find the berries hiding under the green leaves. Trying to clutch them in your fingers and pulling them from the canes results in a purplish-blue mess on your hands. Instead, I have to coax them ever so gently and let them fall into my hand for rescue less they tumble to the ground only to become future growth.
As I was picking and letting my mind wander, I began to think about how my berry picking was like finding souls who are seeking Christ. The sweetness of hearts that are hidden from view and protected by the thorns of experiences that won't allow them to be touched. You can't just clutch at them firmly and pull at them because you are sure to be stuck by the thorns, but when coaxed gently from the vine they fall into waiting hands. Like the raspberries there are many to pick. Some may not yet be ripe. Some may be far in the back and you have to work your way through the bramble to get to them. Some may be over ripe and fall apart as they are touched. Oft times we have to ignore the sharp pain it takes to get to the best ones.
It is only with love and gentleness that we can even begin to harvest, but the bushes are so full and ready. It is in the sacrifice that makes it all so worthwhile.
Happy harvesting!
We have an abandoned cabin next door that hasn't seen an owner in over six years now. Ruthie died many years back and the daughters who now own the property are in California and only came back once six years ago to box up some of the contents. We still tend the yard and beach as we have the past twenty five years now, lest it become overgrown and impassible. Our only compensation is the growth of wild black raspberries that have taken over the front of the cabin, now blocking entry to the door that remains unlocked!
Picking these little gems is a bit of task. The thorns on the canes are extremely sharp and grabbing as I reach through to find the berries hiding under the green leaves. Trying to clutch them in your fingers and pulling them from the canes results in a purplish-blue mess on your hands. Instead, I have to coax them ever so gently and let them fall into my hand for rescue less they tumble to the ground only to become future growth.
As I was picking and letting my mind wander, I began to think about how my berry picking was like finding souls who are seeking Christ. The sweetness of hearts that are hidden from view and protected by the thorns of experiences that won't allow them to be touched. You can't just clutch at them firmly and pull at them because you are sure to be stuck by the thorns, but when coaxed gently from the vine they fall into waiting hands. Like the raspberries there are many to pick. Some may not yet be ripe. Some may be far in the back and you have to work your way through the bramble to get to them. Some may be over ripe and fall apart as they are touched. Oft times we have to ignore the sharp pain it takes to get to the best ones.
It is only with love and gentleness that we can even begin to harvest, but the bushes are so full and ready. It is in the sacrifice that makes it all so worthwhile.
Happy harvesting!
Friday, July 9, 2010
The King
Last night at my bible study on Colossians we studied Chapter 3, where Paul lays down some "Rules for the Christian Household". The first of these is the oft quoted, "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord". This is followed by "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged." These words are timeless and echo across the centuries.
They also cause me to meditate on my own life and household. How have I loved my wife? Do I treat her harshly? Have I supported and not embittered my children? How can I do better by my family? For me, the first thing that I can do is remember who truly is the head of the household. If we, as a Christian family, make Christ the head of our house, then we can follow his example when it comes to love, compassion, patience and forgiveness. These are the tenets of what a home should be.
I am reminded of the day we took our marriage vows almost thirty-three years ago. At that service, a dear friend told the story of an acting troupe who had been putting on the same play for many weeks and were readying for the final performance. Their lines had become lifeless and the movements rote. They were relieved to know that the run was coming to an end. Suddenly, a page burst through the door with news that the King had arrived and was going to view the performance. The excitement ran rampant through the cast and the energy was renewed. That evening was the best performance of the run. All because of that renewed energy and attention by having the King present for their performance.
Our marriages and family life can quickly become a dull play, like the acting troupe and the daily performance. We can end up just going through the motions. That is, until we recognize that the King is always present. If we make Christ the head of our household and recognize Gods presence in all that we do; then our home and family life can take on renewed energy and life. The selfless love of Christ provides us an example of how we can live each day in the presence of the King.
Live today well loved!
They also cause me to meditate on my own life and household. How have I loved my wife? Do I treat her harshly? Have I supported and not embittered my children? How can I do better by my family? For me, the first thing that I can do is remember who truly is the head of the household. If we, as a Christian family, make Christ the head of our house, then we can follow his example when it comes to love, compassion, patience and forgiveness. These are the tenets of what a home should be.
I am reminded of the day we took our marriage vows almost thirty-three years ago. At that service, a dear friend told the story of an acting troupe who had been putting on the same play for many weeks and were readying for the final performance. Their lines had become lifeless and the movements rote. They were relieved to know that the run was coming to an end. Suddenly, a page burst through the door with news that the King had arrived and was going to view the performance. The excitement ran rampant through the cast and the energy was renewed. That evening was the best performance of the run. All because of that renewed energy and attention by having the King present for their performance.
Our marriages and family life can quickly become a dull play, like the acting troupe and the daily performance. We can end up just going through the motions. That is, until we recognize that the King is always present. If we make Christ the head of our household and recognize Gods presence in all that we do; then our home and family life can take on renewed energy and life. The selfless love of Christ provides us an example of how we can live each day in the presence of the King.
Live today well loved!
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