Check it out - Laminin

well...it's been a month since I last posted anything - I'm sorry about that...but I came across a moving video clip of Louie Giglio speaking - quite poignant. Take a few minutes and check it out. While you're watching it - think about how often your life seems on the verge of fraying like an old pair of shorts and coming apart at the seams. Keep on keeping on and remember who holds all things in HIS hands and holds all things together - your life isn't falling apart...just into place. HIS place, and according to HIS plan!

check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4

In the Shadow

I was doing my Bible reading this morning and was distracted by the still scene out my family room window. It was kind of strange that just some trees caught my attention, but they did. There are trees of all age and sizes in our backyard and neighborhood. And yes - I started thinking about the teenage years - I know, I'm pathetic, but at least I'm admitting it.

I was reminded (I was a teen once too) that as a teen, you're always trying to get out from under the shadow of your parents...they're everywhere looking over you - much like the bigger trees crowding out the smaller ones. But one day, eventually - those smaller trees get taller and larger and start casting shadows right next to the larger ones. No longer are the smaller trees overshadowed...but rather casting their own, and ironically, many times right alongside the trees that once overshadowed them.

The moral of this scene, you ask? Be patient...don't rush out from under your parents. The time will come, and come quickly - more quickly than you think. The time will come when you come out of your parents' shadow and start casting your own - and probably right next to your parents. Value and enjoy this time in the shadows - make the most of it...and don't rush out of it. The time will come...and in all reality - the more you value and take advantage of the time in the shadows - the stronger you'll be when you standing alone or alongside the "big trees."

what don't you want God to say?

I was reading in Jeremiah this morning and was struck and somewhat dumbfounded with something, but before that - think about something - what don't you want God to say to you? It might be about your school work, friends, job, music, video games, youth group, clothes, activities, thoughts, computer, phone...really anything in your life - what don't you want God to say about it?

The Israelites, really only a remnant of what was a thriving nation, went to Jeremiah and asked him to go to God and ask what God wanted them to do. On the surface, this looks good - looks like they are really concerned about God's will for their life, and even say that "whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God." They're following God aren't they. Well, what was true in their hearts soon flooded over the weak front they were putting on. Jeremiah comes back after 10 days and tells them what God wants and what they didn't want to hear. They went ahead and did what they wanted, disregarding God's will. They eventually came right out and told Jeremiah - "we will not listen to you."

So be careful - don't fool yourself with a fickle and weak front of "wanting what God wants in your life" because the time will come when He will reveal what He wants in all of the areas mentioned above - and you'll have to decide when the rubber meets the road - will you listen or not - and when that time comes, the true you comes roaring out!

It's tough to give up

We are reminded over and over, whether from parents, coaches, or bosses, never to give up. Movies are built around the theme of a character(s) excelling and overcoming because they didn't give up (i.e. Rudy, Hoosers, Remember the Titans). I would agree with this theme when it's regarding our walk with Christ - never give up following Him. But, I was reading in Jeremiah this morning and was reminded that there is a time in our lives when giving up is called for.

The Israelites were in the midst of God's punishment for abandoning Him, and were on the verge of experiencing the complete destruction of Jerusalem and the remaining cities in Judah. Jeremiah, God's prophet and voice to the remaining Israelites, was calling for the king and people to surrender to the invading Babylonians - doing so would spare them from experiencing a devastating destruction. Surrender and save your life...or resist and lose it. Jeremiah was calling on them to surrender to God's way, or live the hard way.

Giving up is sometimes the easiest path...sometimes the hardest, especially when giving up is surrendering our idea of how life is to be lived, and submitting to God's way. Just like Jeremiah was challenging the Judean King to give in to God's way - we need to be reminded daily to surrender to God's way.

It's worth it...I guarantee it!

Center of Gravity

I am, admittedly, a Star Wars fan and I was reminded of a scene in Episode II when Obi Wan consulted with Yoda when in search for a missing planet - at least it wasn't in the Jedi archives. As Yoda and Obi Wan are observing an interactive galactic display, they recognize an "empty" area where everything around it was revolving...they realized this as the center of gravity. Although they couldn't see it, if Obi Wan went to the center of gravity, he would find his missing planet - as it was holding everything together.

I was reminded of this during a conversation with a friend and his friend - a police officer with duties at one of our local high schools. While talking, we began discussing some of the students he has had to deal with and their parents. In essence, we somewhat concluded that each student is only as strong as his/her "center of gravity" (my words). In your time of life right now, you are experiencing a testing of the boundaries and exploring what is becoming a wider and bigger world (illustrated by the left circle above). It is natural to be experiencing this as you mature, grow, and broaden your experiences. Remember though - it is your center of gravity which brings stability to your life as your world widens, responsibilities accumulate, and experiences broaden.

What is this center of gravity? It has to do with relationships - your relationships with God and with your parents (and in that order of importance). These two relationships are what keep your grounded, secure, and stable - don't abandon them, keep them right and keep the lines of communication open. Don't be fooled into thinking that your relationships with friends are at your center - don't take me wrong - they're important, but not central. One day, believe it or not, your friends with change and you will change friends - what will always be there are your parents and your God!

The second circle illustrates what I just said. As you explore your broadening world (doing so, I trust in responsible and righteous ways) realize that as you get further away from your center the more unstable, insecure, and unprotected you become - the easier it gets to fly off, out of control; producing results and consequences that are painful and often times leaving long-term scars. I guess what I am saying...you can and should always gravitate to your center - God and your parents...the ones that love you the most. As I said before - don't abandon them, and they won't abandon you!

This also is a challenge to our parents - realize what is happening in your teen's life and the role you play...don't abandon your role. God will stay true to his...let's do the same with ours!

Don't forget - ARE YOU IN?

Well, it's been a week since you (or some of you) returned from an exciting Winter Retreat and what I thought was a compelling challenge to be "All IN" for Christ and following Him. I was encouraged that each of you knew what it was going to take for you to be All In and that it was going to be challenging and meant giving something up or changing the way some things are. We also were clear that the reality of it is...when we get home - it is very easy to just go back to the way things were - and not change anything. As we all heard - we all have things to change in our lives. Please, remember the lesson(s) you learned and the areas you were challenged in...remember the "titan" character you identified with, and go ALL IN! Now that you're home don't let your routine determine your level of commitment to Christ...let your commitment to Christ determine and revolutionize your routine and joy in Christ! Don't give up so easily!

It's Been Too Long

Well, as you noticed and Cayly so suredly pointed out Sunday morning - it has been well over a month since I posted anything - and well, that is my fault, and I apologize for that. Here is my commitment to you - I will post 2x a week, for your reading pleasure and mockery...hopefully the former! hold me to it and let me know if you want me to comment on anything in particular...just leave a comment or email me.