Just a quick note

I'm up later than I should be.  I'm just overwhelmed with all God is doing and what He is showing me right now.

As 2011 ended, I reflected on the year (like us melancholy types tend to do). Once I reflected on all God had done just in my life and through my life, this feeling of overwhelming, humbling awe consumed me and it hasn't left. I wondered if there was any way God could top 2011. Then I looked back farther. Every year since I became a fully devoted Christian has been orders of magnitude more crazy and miraculous than the previous one.

So 2012...rejoicing over God's revealed glory while eagerly anticipating whatever is next.

Fault and Change

Trust 30, Day 32 (prompt by Carlos Miceli)

I must be myself. I cannot break myself any longer for you, or you. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Think of all the things that are not working in your life. That job you don’t like, that relationship that’s not working, those friends that annoy you. Now turn them all on you. Imagine that everything that’s not working in your life, is your fault. How would you approach it? What would you work on to change your life to the state that you want it to be?

I'll turn this question back around...instead of looking at whose fault it is, remember who has the power to break out of the situations that aren't working. Ultimately we're looking for a resolution, not to assign blame. Who cares who is at fault, let's find out who can change things and then fix them.

Starting from there and revisiting both the Emerson quote and the question, let's assume the power is within me. If the power is within me, what would I work on to change my life to the state I want it to be in?

The most important thing is to determine where I want to go. One of my favorite authors and speakers often says that your direction determines your destination (Andy Stanley). Another way of saying this is that I need to begin with the end in mind (Stephen Covey).

Right now I have a general idea of where I want to be. It's a place that is flexible...the most important components are that it be a life that is family focused. It also allows for life to unfold at a non-traditional pace, leaving space for relationships and creativity to breath. There would be plenty of time for the important things...connecting with others, reading, writing, and music. I know this sounds utopian and naive...a couple of my strongest character traits. But once the destination is determined, the direction becomes clearer. Once the direction is clear, action becomes easier.

I'm already taking steps to get there...paying off debt is huge. Without the monthly outflow of cash to debt there is much more flexibility in employment options. As long as I'm a slave to lifestyle, I must keep pushing to earn more, more, more. That's not for me. That lifestyle is full of busy-ness and empty of significance.

With the appropriate goal in mind, it's also important to never compromise my vision. Every day there are innumerable challenges that call for compromise. It is much more likely to be defeated one little piece at a time than it is to be suddenly overcome. So it's a delicate walk...live authentically and uncompromised while fitting into symbiotic relationships with others, sharing with them what is necessary.

So what needs to change? Rededication? A reminder of the goal,an adjustment of perspective. A realization that this is a long, slow road and that patience and persistence can be much more helpful than busy-ness and frenetic energy. Trust that the path I'm on leads to where I want to go.

Overcoming Uncertainty

Trust 30 : Day 29 (prompt by Sean Ogle)

Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Write down a major life goal you have yet to achieve or even begin to take action on. For each goal, write down three uncertainties (read: fears) you have relating to each goal. Break it down further, and write down three reasons for each uncertainty. When you have three reasons for your fear, you’ll be able to start processing the change because you know where the fear stems from. Now you’ll be able to make a smaller changes that push you towards your larger goal. So begins the process of “trusting yourself.”

All the life goal that haven't yet achieved fall into one of two categories:

1. Those that I know but haven't realized. These are unrealized because they require patience. Some things take time to unfold. So, I am being patient while I prepare.
2. Those that I don't know but will realize. These are things that are beyond my comprehension right now that will come to pass anyway. Some of these I will see coming and some I won't. 

For all my life goals there are two key components...patience and trust in God. So I'm keeping my eyes on Him and just enjoying the ride. Trust in myself? Hope in myself? His plans are so much better than mine!

Call To Arms

Trust 30 : Day 26 (prompt by Sasha Dichter)

The secret of fortune is joy in our hands. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

What if today, right now, no jokes at all, you were actually in charge, the boss, the Head Honcho. Write the “call to arms” note you’re sending to everyone (staff, customers, suppliers, Board) charting the path ahead for the next 12 months and the next 5 years. Now take this manifesto, print it out somewhere you can see, preferably in big letters you can read from your chair.

You’re just written your own job description. You know what you have to do. Go!

Let us do nothing out of hate, malice, anger, or vengeance. Let our lives and everything in them be shaped by love. In ever situation let us strive to do the right thing, and in a way that doesn't tear anyone down but only lifts them up.

Christ has called us to be His hands and feet, continuing His work here on earth. He has called us to comfort the afflicted, feed the hungry, free those that are in chains, and provide for widows and orphans. I believe if we unite and take this call seriously we would see humanity transformed in less than a generation.

People are desperately looking for a savior. In America, more and more it is the role of the government to feed the needy and help the broken. Many Christians I know believe the growth of government is a horrible thing. They spend many hours in fruitless worry and frustration, fretting about what this politician or that politician is doing. But what if we stopped looking to the politicians? What if we stop focusing on what Thomas Jefferson said and instead focused on the vision Christ had for humanity? What if we let that guide our lives?

According to Wikipedia, there are approximately 2.2 Billion Christians on earth. If you self-identify as a Christian, you believe God sent His son Jesus to earth to save humanity. We all agree on that. Whether we do or don't dance or drink; whether we wear suits or shorts to church; whether we rock out or chant acappela in worship -- we are one body united in Christ. We are diverse, there is no doubt. And we are all called to serve Him. If even a small percentage of us united around this fact, we could shake the earth.

Imagine a country where food stamps weren't needed because "the church" not only fed the hungry but lifted them out of their situation in love, helping them find new life and purpose here on earth. Imagine a country where medicare wasn't necessary because the church provided for the medical needs of the old and ill. Imagine a country where those that lost their employment were taken in by the church, helped along, and retrained for a new vocation. Imagine a country where the church was so full of love and faith that there were no orphans or foster children because there were so many loving families willing to take them in. There are already Christian organizations doing each of these things, making a real difference. They are generally under-funded and under-publicized, but the framework is already there. 

What if we spent our time and money doing all these things in a way characterized with love, compassion, and joy? What if we used our "time, treasure, and talent" for this instead of on tracts and superficial outreach? What would it say about our church if outsiders were drawn to it because they see the good work we are doing, the real difference we are making and they want to be a part of it? What if we actually welcomed in the non-believers, the "sinners," and those that normally feel out of place in church to serve along side us?

I believe this is not only possible, but essential. I believe we are called to live united. Let us break down the walls that divide us. If we stopped focusing on our differences so much, we would realize that we have much in common. Let's unite and conquer.

Speak Less

Trust 30 : Day 20 (prompt by Laura Kimball)

What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think. This rule, equally arduous in actual and in intellectual life, may serve for the whole distinction between greatness and meanness. It is the harder, because you will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know I. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I once received a fortune cookie that read: “Speak less of your plans, you’ll get more done.” What’s one project that you’ve been sitting on and thinking about but haven’t made progress on? What’s stopping you? What would happen if you actually went for it and did it?

From an early age I have wanted to be a college professor. It was always something I wanted to do "once I got old." I had this mental image of a tweed sports jacket with elbow patches, maybe a pipe too. And a globe, definitely a globe. In my mind I'd be a professor of philosophy. 

In reality, I went a more technical route. It's not that I gave up on that idea, but I had other plans for the time until I got old. I knew at some point I could take a few more classes, start working toward an advance degree. Then, when the hustle and bustle got old, I'd start teaching a class here and there. 

So, based on that dream, my "one project I've been sitting on" would be working toward the elbow patches. To be that kind of instructor "then" I need to start working on that degree "now." Things have changed, though. Now I've got this obsession with God that's shaping my life. What I find fascinating is that this new relationship hasn't really changed that mental image, I just see me teaching religious studies or a similar topic. 

My biggest obstacle is my previous experiences with formal education. I've spent enough time in school that I have a mental image of what it will be like to go back. I believe I have an understanding of what kinds of things I can expect to learn (and not learn) there. I have an idea of what kind of people I will (and won't) meet there. I desire knowledge, wisdom, and depth of understanding. I'm not confident I can get it there.

So...I have made a deliberate choice to increase the scope of my personal studies. I guess I'm going to self-educate. Someday I may take classes. But I don't think I need to go back to school to get an education. And I don't think I need an advanced degree (or tweed jacket) to be a teacher.

Dreams

Trust 30 : Day 18 (prompt by Michael Rad)

Abide in the simple and noble regions of thy life, obey thy heart. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Write down your top three dreams. Now write down what’s holding you back from them.

Dreams:

1. Impact the world in Christ's name
2. Raise my kids well...to be men with strong character and strong minds.
3. Love my wife continually and deeply 

Holding me back: there is truly less holding me back today then ever before.

Invent the Future

Trust 30 : Day 17 (prompt by Cindy Gallop)

A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the lustre of the firmament of bards and sages. Yet he dismisses without notice his thought, because it is his. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

My favorite quote of all time is Alan Kay: ‘In order to predict the future, you have to invent it.’ I am all about inventing the future. Decide what you want the future to be and make it happen. Because you can. Write about your future now.

My future is peaceful. I envision having a family run business that allows each of us to work together for something bigger than what we could accomplish on our own. But the business doesn't run our lives, we don't live for it. It's still just a means. It brings us together and allows us to each bring our own unique talents to the table. It allows everyone to contribute and flourish.

Without going into too many specifics about type of business, I'll have some time to read a little, write a little, strum a little, teach a little, and talk to strangers. It will be a safe harbor for those seeking sanity. It will be a place people can come to when they're searching for help. Whether someone needs a full belly or full mind, this will be a place to be filled. Yes, this place will be founded on Christ and centered on Christ, but in a way that is welcoming to everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs or the state of their lives. It will be a reflection of His love, where everyone is wanted and welcome.