April 19th - Lowered Expectations

 The story...

Much of my life was worked out as an idealist.  "It's not good the way things are and they should be different."  My "idealistic" ideas seemed virtuous; yet, with limited understanding didn't work themselves out well in the light of day.  There seemed to be more negative outcomes than positive - I know that I wasn't comfortable serving within some board-member roles.  My "idealistic" presence may've hindered God's hand in the development of the good church that might've better met people's needs as they actually were.

There're reasons for why things are the way they are.  The status quo is meeting needs in ways that we aren't aware of or maybe even able to understand.  Our ways are not God's ways and our thoughts are not His thoughts.  It seems, He has plans that require building some up, slowly teaching some, "pruning" some down, calling some to faith, nudging that first step, sequencing events for a great work, or even generating dissatisfaction so people choose to move out in different directions.

Are you ready to pack up and move on?

The only church in town wouldn't need to clarify and magnify their distinctive differences as compared to the other church alternatives.  They'd know the God-revealed truth that all people are living under a sin curse from birth.  That bent nature (iniquity) separates all people from our most holy God and Creator.  God performed the great sacrificial work on our behalf - nothing required from us but faith in what Christ alone has already done for us.  Faith in the reality that we're redeemed as new creatures - redeemed and adopted into God's family in Christ.  Wow!

Just for today...

"I've learned that I have the ability to adjust my expectations so that I no longer set myself up for constant disappointment."  Courage to Change (p. 110)

"When I first stopped trying to fix other people, I turned my attention to 'curing myself'."  Hope for Today (p. 110)

Try a new translation if your mind and heart don't own Ephesians chapter 2.  Please don't quit until you've grasped these wonderful truths about who we are in Christ; then, hold on! 

"Inklings of truth; Taught as reality - Disillusion ears; Rain on hope."   Am I a Poet?

March 7th - Imagined reality

The story...

Have you ever imagined something and then built it?  You weren't too sure about how it'd work out in "actuality;" yet, you got started.  You laid the pieces out on the table.  You arranged and substituted until it seemed just right.  While admiring your work, you might've felt a deep-internal satisfaction.  Your body secreted hormones emoting happiness.  The symmetry, the colors, the flaw, the shadows, the order . . . you liked looking at it.  What's the cause of this deep-felt satisfaction? 

I made this isosceles triangle one 2022 day. The story isn't found in what it's for.  It's more about the idea of working an imagined idea into reality, pondering it, and enjoying it.  Actually taking the time to pause, observe, and see in solitude.  Scripture says that God created - He knew who we'd be.  He enjoys His creation and creatures.  I wonder if God feels something like I feel, albeit infinitely greater and different, as He observes us?  Is this another way we're made in the image of God?

How does this apply to the only church in town?  Most churches design a building to fit the group's expected needs and hopes.  Those that helped create it have a special affinity for it.  Thirty years from now the people will be different, the building a bit more decayed, and patches will've given it a different look.  

The Apostle Paul refers to the "Body of Christ" as a called-out group of people.  Grasping this most wonderful idea requires our imagination as we read what's been revealed about it.  Through faith, you just might sense the beginnings of this wonderful, yet mystical, union of people in reality - introspection and contemplation required. 

Just for today...

"I don't have to look back at past ugliness except to learn from it, to enhance the present, and to release whatever beauty is trapped behind old secrets and self-defeating attitudes." Courage to Change (p. 67)

"I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ To a nation which did not call on My name."  Isaiah 65:1 (NASB)

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13 (NASB)

"The mind's canvas; Imagines what's not - Ways and tools; Dreams fulfilled."  Am I a Poet

August 26th - W.A.I.T. - Why Am I Talking?

The story...

I mentored a young man whose shoe size is the same as mine - we were matched as part of a summer program.  After we knew each other better, we also learned that we both liked to be quiet.  For our game and fellowship time our team name was "Quiet Big Shoes."  The mentoring program questions were normally met by his silence which I learned to respect.  He did ponder them although I doubt that he even heard them at first.  Our quietness seemed to respect his right to personal boundaries and the dignity to be just as he is.  Our "attitudes" seemed to be a part of a closer relationship that influenced both him and me.  We began to like each other and more freely engage both our hearts and minds.

When facilitating brain-storming idea creation exercises, I learned that the best ideas seemed to come after the barrage of quick ideas were over.  There was the interim quiet time where each member of the group seemed to quiet their minds and more comfortably search beyond the limits of their normal operational thinking patterns.  That's the place where the good ideas and new learning seems to pop up into the light of...   I want to live in that place more often.  A similar process seems to occur by myself, with a good friend, with a friendly group, with not so friendly groups, and within community too.

The only church in town will never be bent according to my will.  My will will be secondary no matter how much dust I kick up trying to convince others that my vision of the "best" or "ideal" is right for us.  What a great thing to be quiet within relationships - growing and walking honestly and humbly together.

Oh... what a joy to be rightly related to God in Christ.  Within my prayers I give praise, thanks, asks, quietly listen, meditate on a truth that God spoke.  Sometimes I fall asleep within our spirit-to-Sprit connection.  Our relationship is mysterious, wonderful, and available through faith in the revealed Word of God.  God knows what's in a man's heart and scripture says the Spirit of Christ indwells those who are His.

Just for today...

W.AI.T.:   W: Why     A: Am      I: I      T: Talking?

"Still and clear; Acutely crisp - Word of God; Truly bliss."   Am I a Poet?