Today I was reminded of the great "post-conversion" song written by Bob Dylan, "Serve Somebody." You can listen to it here.
In the meantime, todays' message at Bridgeway Church in Denver, CO focused on how all of us need to stop living with our feet straddling a fence... make a decision - decide once and for all whom we will trust - either completely and fully trust God - or - trust the world and all it has to offer. But it is foolishness to say "I trust you God, but..." That does not work.
Is it hard to fully trust God? Of course! It's hard to fully trust anything or anyone. That's why it is called "trust."
The lesson focused on Elijah challenging the prophets and people who followed the god, Baal. He basically put God to the test and, in the process, showed that there is only One God - and it was not Baal. It's a great story found in Exodus 17.
I am still digesting the message, trying to own it - because I do tend to be someone who proclaims with my mouth that I fully trust God - but who, at the same time, struggles with the reality of that declaration.
The goal, of course, is to be bold and courageous as I choose to fully trust God with all aspects of my life. May that be true of all of us.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
It's All About - Me!
One of the very common, probably overly used phrases, in the exciting world of "being a Christian" is the notion that "it's all about HIM" (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit). In other words - all we do - should be focused towards and on the Living Lord Jesus Christ.
But I would like to propose that, while I understand and accept that notion - the REAL truth is that it is all about - US! It is all about - Me!
Let me explain.
All of us go thru "stuff" - every minute of every day, every day of every week, every week of every month, year, decade... etc. There is a constant sculpting taking place in our lives. We are the clay, He is the Potter, working on us and is us to craft us into the exact creation HE wants us to be.
"Bad things" happen to us. Some are fairly minor... the car breaks down, you miss the train, you don't get the raise you expected. Some are quite horrific... death of a loved one, dark secrets revealed, drug or some other addiction exposed. And, in the process, we hurt, we learn, we grow and we are refined - solely for the purpose of becoming more and more the person God is crafting us to be.
I've said that word "crafting" twice, now. On purpose.
We are like a huge piece of clumsy stone that the master sculptor us chipping away at in order to bring about the deep beauty that is within - that only He can see. That chipping is painful.
So, while it is true that all of our glory, honor, delight, joy, etc. needs to be aimed at the Only One who fully deserves it, the truth is that along the way, sometimes painful hammering, chiseling and molding are taking place - - - and that is all about me.
But I would like to propose that, while I understand and accept that notion - the REAL truth is that it is all about - US! It is all about - Me!
Let me explain.
All of us go thru "stuff" - every minute of every day, every day of every week, every week of every month, year, decade... etc. There is a constant sculpting taking place in our lives. We are the clay, He is the Potter, working on us and is us to craft us into the exact creation HE wants us to be.
"Bad things" happen to us. Some are fairly minor... the car breaks down, you miss the train, you don't get the raise you expected. Some are quite horrific... death of a loved one, dark secrets revealed, drug or some other addiction exposed. And, in the process, we hurt, we learn, we grow and we are refined - solely for the purpose of becoming more and more the person God is crafting us to be.
I've said that word "crafting" twice, now. On purpose.
We are like a huge piece of clumsy stone that the master sculptor us chipping away at in order to bring about the deep beauty that is within - that only He can see. That chipping is painful.
So, while it is true that all of our glory, honor, delight, joy, etc. needs to be aimed at the Only One who fully deserves it, the truth is that along the way, sometimes painful hammering, chiseling and molding are taking place - - - and that is all about me.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
UPDATE ON VEHICLE
In looking back through this blog, I realized I never updated my millions of readers with news on our car...
It is a long, miserable, horrible - "God-thing" story... but bottom line, we did not end up keeping the blue Ford Escape. It is back at the dealership ready to be pawned off on - er, uh - I mean - lovingly sold to - the next victim - er, uh - I mean - customer.
Instead, we ended up purchasing a used Subaru Outback. I never pictured myself in one of those but I really like it! The more I looked for cars, the more I came to find out that the Subaru is really an amazing vehicle. And it's the perfect size for my needs.
I was going to post a picture but they are everywhere on the highway - just turn your head to the right the next time you hit a stop light - you'll see one!
It is a long, miserable, horrible - "God-thing" story... but bottom line, we did not end up keeping the blue Ford Escape. It is back at the dealership ready to be pawned off on - er, uh - I mean - lovingly sold to - the next victim - er, uh - I mean - customer.
Instead, we ended up purchasing a used Subaru Outback. I never pictured myself in one of those but I really like it! The more I looked for cars, the more I came to find out that the Subaru is really an amazing vehicle. And it's the perfect size for my needs.
I was going to post a picture but they are everywhere on the highway - just turn your head to the right the next time you hit a stop light - you'll see one!
Who Cares? (God Does!)
If you read the previous post (and, why wouldn't you?) you know that I have stepped away from my full time career as a music and worship director in the church - to pursue doors that seem to be opening primarily in the areas of comedy, acting and music.
As of May 1, I made the bold step of faith and have been somewhat up and down emotionally since then - it's a huge move.
At the same time, I have begun to notice something- something that all Christians SAY talk about but I'm not sure many of us really, truly, actually believe it - God really is faithful. He really is interested in our lives.
God really cares!
In the past two weeks, for example, I have had more auditions for commercials and other on-camera opportunities than I have had since January of this year. A former church staff member of mine tried to link that to the reality that NOW my agent feels more free to send me out on auditions - since I am no longer tied to my full-time church job. That sounds so obvious, doesn't it?
But the truth is - my agent did not work LESS on my behalf before, and she is not working MORE on my behalf now. I believe there are two things at work. First, "the biz" is fickle. That's just the nature of the beast. You can go months with "feast" and you can go months with "famine" and neither is an indication of how "good" or "bad" you are as a talent. It just is what it is. But the other aspect of this - the far more important aspect, in my opinion, is that GOD CARES about me. He cares about my dreams, my passions, my gifts, my wiring, my welfare. God is interested in supplying my needs (Philippians 4:19). Therefore, I am of the mindset that God is the one ultimately "behind" me getting these auditions.
He's also the one behind me booking comedy gigs, getting voice over jobs and composing songs for Christian music publishers and projects.
80% of the above mentioned opportunities have yet to see actual income. But that is not the point - at least that is what I am discovering. The point is NOT "the money." The point is me recognizing that God "is at work."
And the hard lesson there is one all Christians deal with - - letting God do His job as our "pilot." Yeah, it sounds corny. But it's true! God does not want to give us directions - - He wants to STEER THE CAR.
It's not easy, but that is what I am learning. He cares. He drives.
It's that simple.
As of May 1, I made the bold step of faith and have been somewhat up and down emotionally since then - it's a huge move.
At the same time, I have begun to notice something- something that all Christians SAY talk about but I'm not sure many of us really, truly, actually believe it - God really is faithful. He really is interested in our lives.
God really cares!
In the past two weeks, for example, I have had more auditions for commercials and other on-camera opportunities than I have had since January of this year. A former church staff member of mine tried to link that to the reality that NOW my agent feels more free to send me out on auditions - since I am no longer tied to my full-time church job. That sounds so obvious, doesn't it?
But the truth is - my agent did not work LESS on my behalf before, and she is not working MORE on my behalf now. I believe there are two things at work. First, "the biz" is fickle. That's just the nature of the beast. You can go months with "feast" and you can go months with "famine" and neither is an indication of how "good" or "bad" you are as a talent. It just is what it is. But the other aspect of this - the far more important aspect, in my opinion, is that GOD CARES about me. He cares about my dreams, my passions, my gifts, my wiring, my welfare. God is interested in supplying my needs (Philippians 4:19). Therefore, I am of the mindset that God is the one ultimately "behind" me getting these auditions.
He's also the one behind me booking comedy gigs, getting voice over jobs and composing songs for Christian music publishers and projects.
80% of the above mentioned opportunities have yet to see actual income. But that is not the point - at least that is what I am discovering. The point is NOT "the money." The point is me recognizing that God "is at work."
And the hard lesson there is one all Christians deal with - - letting God do His job as our "pilot." Yeah, it sounds corny. But it's true! God does not want to give us directions - - He wants to STEER THE CAR.
It's not easy, but that is what I am learning. He cares. He drives.
It's that simple.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tugging At My Ear
One of my favorite things in TV history was how Carol Burnett used to tug her ear at the end of each show to say "so long" to her aunt (I believe it was).
I'm in ear-tugging mode of late...
After nearly 30 years of being involved in church music ministry in some form or another, the past 20 heavily involved as the director of music and worship for churches, I am laying down the baton and heading in a new direction - pursuing opportunities that are opening up for me in the areas of comedy and acting - and, of course, continued opportunities in songwriting.
In some ways this is a very easy move. Frankly, the seeminly never-ending angst of ministry has caught up with me and left me weary and worn out. Some call this "burn out" and, perhaps it is - especially for those out there who just MUST label things for whatever reason. Bottom line, I'm just tired of the on-going debates, fights, arguments, whining, complaining, and more that well-meaning, God-loving, church-going followers of Christ seem to crave.
I don't crave it. I hate it. It is a waste of time, energy, and resources and it has a way of killing whatever joy of the Lord began each day.
I wish more church attending believers realized what they are doing to their leaders. At its core, it is simply pure evil - there is no other way to describe it.
That said - this will also be a difficult transition. It's hard to say "so long" to a nearly 30-year career that has enjoyed pockets of delight, blessing and joy. Music and worship are gifts from God that I have always beed drawn towards. And, of course, there are the people who I will miss not seeing. Especially at my latest church position which lasted nearly 11 years - a true miracle in the world of church music these days!
But it's time. The right time. God's time.
And so, I press on - I cast my net on the other side of the boat...
I tug my ear and say, "so long..."
I'm in ear-tugging mode of late...
After nearly 30 years of being involved in church music ministry in some form or another, the past 20 heavily involved as the director of music and worship for churches, I am laying down the baton and heading in a new direction - pursuing opportunities that are opening up for me in the areas of comedy and acting - and, of course, continued opportunities in songwriting.
In some ways this is a very easy move. Frankly, the seeminly never-ending angst of ministry has caught up with me and left me weary and worn out. Some call this "burn out" and, perhaps it is - especially for those out there who just MUST label things for whatever reason. Bottom line, I'm just tired of the on-going debates, fights, arguments, whining, complaining, and more that well-meaning, God-loving, church-going followers of Christ seem to crave.
I don't crave it. I hate it. It is a waste of time, energy, and resources and it has a way of killing whatever joy of the Lord began each day.
I wish more church attending believers realized what they are doing to their leaders. At its core, it is simply pure evil - there is no other way to describe it.
That said - this will also be a difficult transition. It's hard to say "so long" to a nearly 30-year career that has enjoyed pockets of delight, blessing and joy. Music and worship are gifts from God that I have always beed drawn towards. And, of course, there are the people who I will miss not seeing. Especially at my latest church position which lasted nearly 11 years - a true miracle in the world of church music these days!
But it's time. The right time. God's time.
And so, I press on - I cast my net on the other side of the boat...
I tug my ear and say, "so long..."
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Oh, Come On - God's Not THAT Big...
How BIG is God?
The Bible says He will provide for ALL of our needs...
Will He?
The Bible says He will never leave us nor forsake us...
Is that true?
The Bible says He has a plan for us - one to prosper us...
I dunno - seems a bit "out there" to me.
The Bible says "faith" is believing in things you cannot see...
Yeah, easy for GOD to say!
The Bible says if I commit my way to the Lord He will act on my behalf...
Seems too good to be true, doesn't it?
I think NOW would be a good time to see if any of those Bible truths - or the other bazillion Bible truths that speak of how much God loves me, and cares for me, and is guiding me and directing me - are actually true.
The journey begins - right now!
The Bible says He will provide for ALL of our needs...
Will He?
The Bible says He will never leave us nor forsake us...
Is that true?
The Bible says He has a plan for us - one to prosper us...
I dunno - seems a bit "out there" to me.
The Bible says "faith" is believing in things you cannot see...
Yeah, easy for GOD to say!
The Bible says if I commit my way to the Lord He will act on my behalf...
Seems too good to be true, doesn't it?
I think NOW would be a good time to see if any of those Bible truths - or the other bazillion Bible truths that speak of how much God loves me, and cares for me, and is guiding me and directing me - are actually true.
The journey begins - right now!
RIP169
After about 9 years of great service, our Dodge Caravan finally met his maker - well, sort of... as we were closing in on the 169K mark, "things" began to go wrong... dials stopped working, rear wiper blades gave out - - noises and creeks here and there - - the end was in sight - - or - - money had to be paid out just to keep the thing alive.
So - because we've enjoyed my wife's Ford Escape for a while now, we decided to go find a good used one for me as a replacement for the minivan. One of those wonderful deals jumped out at us and we decided it was time.
Now we have "his and hers" Ford Escapes... hers is a burly "man red" - and mine is a "cute bright blue" -- not sure how that happened, but it gives each of us companionship during the day so there ya go...
No, there WE go!
Vroom!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)