Each shot is a moment in time. Sounds cliche. But it's true.
And this is one of my favorites of the summer.
It's not a water park. Or big summer get-a-way to Myrtle Beach.
It's just a small pool that the g-parents have.
Sometimes you just have to pause and live in the small moments.
Here's a few things I need to give away...
What about you? What are some things you need to give away...
1 Peter 5:7 - Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
John 14:26 - The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembranc all that I said to you.
Our father, who I know you are in heaven but it’s so easy forget about you because, you know, out-of-sight out-of-mind,
Your name is holy, but I take that for granted because you’re God, you’re name is suppose to be holy,
I really want your kingdom to come and your will be done, if it matches up to my plans. After all, I’ve got a ton to do and goals… so I’m really hoping that you can help me out.
Give me my daily bread… and by daily bread I mean a car that runs good, money to buy the next iPhone, money to have a great vacation… you know, please meet our needs and then some.
Please forgive my debt, because I really don’t want you to be angry at me. After all, you’re God. And if you’re anything like my mom was when she was angry, that can’t be good. Oh, and about me forgiving others. Do I really have to? It’s really fun to punish them in my head over and over and over and over and over and over (you get the picture) again.
And the whole temptation thing, I got that. Don’t worry. I’m a pretty strong willed person, and I don’t really need your help. But when it comes to the devil, please keep him and his henchmen away from me.
Sometimes I love myself more than God.
Can you relate?
There were a number of things I wanted to be when I was growing up. What that was depended on the stage of life I was in. At one point, I would have told you I wanted to be the trash man. I guess riding on the garbage truck looked fun. Baseball player, police officer and ice cream truck driver were on the short list too.
As I look back, there was an extreme joy in dreaming. It's something I want to do more often, not only in my own life, but with Carter, Morgan and Jami. Dreaming about what could be. Dreaming about the what if's. Dreaming about what God could do in our lives if we just simply take the a first step.
That's what God does with us. And as a father, a parent, it's my (our) job to do that too.
How cool is that.
So, while I no longer want to be a garbage man, I still want to ride on the back of one at least once in my lifetime. :-)
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
My brother-in-law, Matt, used this line a while ago in a discussion we were having with some of our leaders who are involved with Revolve.
Don't molest people with Jesus.
Here's what we mean:
Leaving tracts behind - I've seen them in phone booths, at restaurants and in restrooms. There's nothing like thinking you've found money only to realize you've been tricked, or as I like to say... tract.
Witnessing events - I was guilty of this. Multiple Friday's we would meet in downtown Lynchburg or at the local mall to go witnessing to any poor person who had the unfortunate timing of running into me. I would bait them with a question that had nothing to do with my purpose for walking up to them, then do the good ole switch and ask them... "If you would die tonight, where would you go." This is so short of the "gospel" that it's not even funny. In essence, what I was asking them is, "Are you going to burn in hell for all of eternity?" Nothing like event-based christianity.
Treating people like salvation projects - We've all done it. I have for sure. Nobody likes to feel like somebody's project.
Picketing - Whether you're standing outside an abortion clinic, or standing on the corner with signs that say, "God hates fags", this does not do anyone any good. Pretty sure everyone knows that christians aren't pro abortion. And the other... well, it's just plain hateful.
Webster's defines molest as: to annoy, disturb, or persecute with hostile intent.
So, what are some other ways this happens... maybe overtly or subvertly?
Or, maybe people need to be disturbed. If so, what does that look like?
I love the Duke's of Hazzard.
Especially Rosco P. Coltrane, when he says, "I'm in hot pursuit!"
The dude is hilarious. But all too often, I find I'm just like him... especially in the last week.
We're going through the 10 Commandments at Revolve. We're taking one each week and walking through it.
As I was studying the first one, this hit me...
"I am so worn out. Just exhausted."
Now this could be the result of a couple of things...
Lack of sleep. Not eating right. Lack of exercise.
But more times than not, it's because
I'm
not
following
the
First Commandment...
"You must not have any other god but Me." - Exodus 20v3
More times than not, when I'm exhausted, it's because I'm chasing after other gods in my life other than the One True God.
-Acceptance from my kids
-Acceptance and success in my job
-Success in ministry
-Money
-Selling our home
The list could go on and on. And it's a list of a hot pursuit of "other gods" - Like Rosco chasing after the Duke Boys... I get exhausted chasing something I rarely ever catch.
But...
The 10 Commandments isn't simply a list of do's and don'ts - right's and wrongs - laws... it's a glimpse into the heart of God. God doesn't want me to simply keep Him first (whatever that means) because He's got a big ego, He wants me to pursue Him because that pursuit brings life and not exhaustion.
So what's your "Rosco P. Coltrane" hot pursuit?
Why not switch it up and get in hot pursuit with God?
I'm excited about iPhone 4. I'm counting down the hours before I can log on and pre-order it tonight.
I've set my alarm.
I've watched each iphone 4 video three times.
I've watched the WWDC Steve Jobs presentation three times.
I can't wait till I have this phone in my grubby little hands.
I only wish I could say the same thing about my anticipation and desire compared the same way for Jesus.
But in reality, the past couple of weeks and months, my desire for FaceTime with iPhone 4 outweights my desire for FaceTime with Jesus - and He's the only One who can change everything. Again.
So, how about you? Which FaceTime do you desire more?