There are many times in life when we choose not to say something to somebody, and we often regret not having said it. Take me, for instance. My Mom died over 11 1/2 years ago, and there were many things that I didn't say to her; like how much I loved her, how much she meant to me, and how much I looked up to her. My Dad is still alive, but we don't talk that much. Other than around Thanksgiving or Christmas, we don't even see each other, and we rarely talk to one another throughout the year. What I really want and need to say to him is that I forgive him, and that I love him. I'd also ask him to have a catch with me - something that we haven't done together since I was a pre-teen. Hopefully, God helps me to finally say those things to him before he's gone.
Take it from someone who knows, don't leave things left unsaid. Whether it's something that needs to be said to a spouse, a child, a good friend, or a complete stranger - say what's on your mind. Remember, we aren't promised tomorrow...
"Ease his pain...go the distance..."
- The Voice, Field of Dreams
Friday, March 23, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Community
"Throughout history, becoming a follower of Jesus has often meant being brought into a community of people who eat together, live together, share their passions and their lives. I truly believe that community is where real spiritual formation happens. Most people come to faith not by an isolated effort but through living day to day with people of faith, such as their families or friends."
- Doug Pagitt, Church Re-Imagined
For me, I came to know God through two close friends, Paul and Deneena H., who invited me into their lives when I needed them and God the most. Through alcohol and too many unhealthy relationships with women, I was searching for something that I could not find - a relationship with God. Paul and Deneena invited me into their home and into their lives (community), and helped lead me to Christ. They also helped me grow in my relationship with God (once I finally found Him).
Two other important people in my life are Cliff and Angela J. Cliff helped me to understand that God created me as a passionate person; not only for His glory, but for being able to share my passion with others. Being a part of Cliff and Ang's community deepened my love for, and understanding of, God. They helped me to grow deeper in my faith, and to learn how to question things instead of always taking them at face value.
I am now a part of another community that wants to bring the message of God to people who need to hear it (The Garden Communities). This group has helped me to see that I am designed in such a way where I want to give value and meaning to others, and for them to feel heard (eventually through the counseling profession). I don't think I would have realized this so quickly if I were on my own, without their love and involvement in my life.
To me, community is a valuable and necessary part of being a Christian. What has community done for you?
- Doug Pagitt, Church Re-Imagined
For me, I came to know God through two close friends, Paul and Deneena H., who invited me into their lives when I needed them and God the most. Through alcohol and too many unhealthy relationships with women, I was searching for something that I could not find - a relationship with God. Paul and Deneena invited me into their home and into their lives (community), and helped lead me to Christ. They also helped me grow in my relationship with God (once I finally found Him).
Two other important people in my life are Cliff and Angela J. Cliff helped me to understand that God created me as a passionate person; not only for His glory, but for being able to share my passion with others. Being a part of Cliff and Ang's community deepened my love for, and understanding of, God. They helped me to grow deeper in my faith, and to learn how to question things instead of always taking them at face value.
I am now a part of another community that wants to bring the message of God to people who need to hear it (The Garden Communities). This group has helped me to see that I am designed in such a way where I want to give value and meaning to others, and for them to feel heard (eventually through the counseling profession). I don't think I would have realized this so quickly if I were on my own, without their love and involvement in my life.
To me, community is a valuable and necessary part of being a Christian. What has community done for you?
America's Pastime
Ahhhh, spring is in the air, and a young man's fancy turns to...baseball (sorry ladies)!
There are many things that I love in life, but close to the top of that list is baseball. Specifically, opening weekend. Every team is undefeated on the first day of the season, and every team thinks they can win it all. Much later in the season, the winning teams have separated themselves from the has-been, also-rans, and playoff fever starts - but that's another blog in and of itself. When the grass starts to turn green, and the sun's rays begin to beat down warmer, that's when my heart begins to beat a little bit faster - the sound of a fastball hitting the catcher's mitt, the whack of the bat as it connects with a baseball on it's sweet spot, watching the shortstop grab one in the hole and crisply turn a double-play.
I have many baseball memories, but a few stand out above the rest - when I was 10 years old listening to a Milwaukee Brewers game on the radio with my great-uncle Don; listening to a Twins game in 1984 with my Dad while we painted our garage; and realizing at the ripe old age of 13 that baseball was passing me by, as I was too busy ducking out of the way of an Erick Nelson curveball as it crossed the plate for strike three - who knew how hard it was going to be to hit one of those darn things!
Baseball season is just aroud the corner, so grab your favorite cold beverage (or your favorite Louisiville Slugger); pick out a comfortable chair (or make yourself comfortable in the batter's box); and watch the cleanup hitter go deep (and take a swing at the cheap seats for me)!
"This is a simple game - you throw the ball...you hit the ball...and you catch the ball!"
- Durham Bulls' Manager, Bull Durham
There are many things that I love in life, but close to the top of that list is baseball. Specifically, opening weekend. Every team is undefeated on the first day of the season, and every team thinks they can win it all. Much later in the season, the winning teams have separated themselves from the has-been, also-rans, and playoff fever starts - but that's another blog in and of itself. When the grass starts to turn green, and the sun's rays begin to beat down warmer, that's when my heart begins to beat a little bit faster - the sound of a fastball hitting the catcher's mitt, the whack of the bat as it connects with a baseball on it's sweet spot, watching the shortstop grab one in the hole and crisply turn a double-play.
I have many baseball memories, but a few stand out above the rest - when I was 10 years old listening to a Milwaukee Brewers game on the radio with my great-uncle Don; listening to a Twins game in 1984 with my Dad while we painted our garage; and realizing at the ripe old age of 13 that baseball was passing me by, as I was too busy ducking out of the way of an Erick Nelson curveball as it crossed the plate for strike three - who knew how hard it was going to be to hit one of those darn things!
Baseball season is just aroud the corner, so grab your favorite cold beverage (or your favorite Louisiville Slugger); pick out a comfortable chair (or make yourself comfortable in the batter's box); and watch the cleanup hitter go deep (and take a swing at the cheap seats for me)!
"This is a simple game - you throw the ball...you hit the ball...and you catch the ball!"
- Durham Bulls' Manager, Bull Durham
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
A Reason To Live
"Viktor Frankl discovered that strength is unleashed within us when we are convinced our lives have a purpose yet to be fulfilled. This reality is magnified when we choose a purpose beyond ourselves. When we begin to give ourselves to a cause or a purpose greater than us, it changes us; it makes us better. When we give ourselves for the good of the world, we find that doing so brings to us a world of good. We are not disconnected by the destiny we pursue."
- Erwin Raphael McManus, Soul Cravings
"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us."
- Viktor Frankl, From Death-Camp to Existentialism
What is your purpose? What does life expect from you? What is it that you want to do with your life, for the good of others? One of my purposes is to make people feel heard, and valued. Whether they're 99 years old, 9 years old, or 9 months old, I want people to feel heard, valued, and loved.
- Erwin Raphael McManus, Soul Cravings
"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us."
- Viktor Frankl, From Death-Camp to Existentialism
What is your purpose? What does life expect from you? What is it that you want to do with your life, for the good of others? One of my purposes is to make people feel heard, and valued. Whether they're 99 years old, 9 years old, or 9 months old, I want people to feel heard, valued, and loved.
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