The dude on the right was the winner.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
A Mid Course Correction?
This year I am acutely aware that soon I will be turning 40 years old.
Forty! FORTY! FORTY!
This is hard to believe because when I was little (7 or 8 years old) I thought I would be dead before I hit 13 years old. Not because I was such a daredevil or because I lived in a war torn region of our world or because I was forced to work in a coal mine at a tender age. It all had to do with the fact that although my teenage years were comprehensible, they were so far in the future. Surely Jesus would come back or the sun would burn out before then.
But seriously 40!
As I have thought of my life screaming towards this mile marker of maturity and respectability, my mind has turned to things like adventure , motorcycles and monotony. I feel uneasiness inside. I yearn for some kind of freedom I have not felt before. I wonder what it would be like to me, but only different.
I am not sure if this is a despite cry for help from an average middle age man lamenting his age (regret). Maybe it is a last attempt to mark the world with my brand (significance). Maybe it is only a psychological barrier needing to be crashed in order for it to lose it power (distraction).
Am I heading for what is called a "mid-life crisis?" Maybe, but I don’t think so. This is not really a crisis. It is just a change. An alteration of perspective. A rational coming to terms with.
I think men face this time in their lives when they feel things need to change or see they are changing on there own and in a grab for control try change things they are dissatisfied with. Unfortunately, most men change the wrong things, which leads to or creates the “crisis.”
I don’t need a new wife; I have a beautiful, faithful, loving wife already. I don’t need to quit my job in order to chase some illusive dream job from my idyllic twenties, because I already have it. I don’t feel burdened down with weighty responsibilities (mortgage, kids, finances) yearning to be free of them, because the responsibilities I carry are the ones I picked up in the first place. I don’t need to find a plastic surgeon who can alter my exterior, because it is my interior that alters my view of the exterior.
But, it is hard to deny this want or need to shake things up in life.
Maybe my biological clock is ticking.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
As I understand it, Hebrew men in the line of Levi were not allow to perform their levitical (basically priestly) duties until they were thirty years old (they couldn’t read Song of Solomon until thirty either, for more obviously reason.) Then they would minister for 20 years are so, essentially retiring as the “evil days” approached.
So, am I sensing my time running out? Maybe.
This angst is motivating, though. Those things I think that need to change, I am willing to tackle. Those things I have wanted to do, I am willing to make sure happen. Those things I want to stop, I am trying harder to control.
Why?
Because, I am old enough to think some things have to change. Maybe that is the point. I just want to change the right things. It will at least be interesting to live through this yearning and see what changes. Most likely, it will be me.
Forty! FORTY! FORTY!
This is hard to believe because when I was little (7 or 8 years old) I thought I would be dead before I hit 13 years old. Not because I was such a daredevil or because I lived in a war torn region of our world or because I was forced to work in a coal mine at a tender age. It all had to do with the fact that although my teenage years were comprehensible, they were so far in the future. Surely Jesus would come back or the sun would burn out before then.
But seriously 40!
As I have thought of my life screaming towards this mile marker of maturity and respectability, my mind has turned to things like adventure , motorcycles and monotony. I feel uneasiness inside. I yearn for some kind of freedom I have not felt before. I wonder what it would be like to me, but only different.
I am not sure if this is a despite cry for help from an average middle age man lamenting his age (regret). Maybe it is a last attempt to mark the world with my brand (significance). Maybe it is only a psychological barrier needing to be crashed in order for it to lose it power (distraction).
Am I heading for what is called a "mid-life crisis?" Maybe, but I don’t think so. This is not really a crisis. It is just a change. An alteration of perspective. A rational coming to terms with.
I think men face this time in their lives when they feel things need to change or see they are changing on there own and in a grab for control try change things they are dissatisfied with. Unfortunately, most men change the wrong things, which leads to or creates the “crisis.”
I don’t need a new wife; I have a beautiful, faithful, loving wife already. I don’t need to quit my job in order to chase some illusive dream job from my idyllic twenties, because I already have it. I don’t feel burdened down with weighty responsibilities (mortgage, kids, finances) yearning to be free of them, because the responsibilities I carry are the ones I picked up in the first place. I don’t need to find a plastic surgeon who can alter my exterior, because it is my interior that alters my view of the exterior.
But, it is hard to deny this want or need to shake things up in life.
Maybe my biological clock is ticking.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
As I understand it, Hebrew men in the line of Levi were not allow to perform their levitical (basically priestly) duties until they were thirty years old (they couldn’t read Song of Solomon until thirty either, for more obviously reason.) Then they would minister for 20 years are so, essentially retiring as the “evil days” approached.
So, am I sensing my time running out? Maybe.
This angst is motivating, though. Those things I think that need to change, I am willing to tackle. Those things I have wanted to do, I am willing to make sure happen. Those things I want to stop, I am trying harder to control.
Why?
Because, I am old enough to think some things have to change. Maybe that is the point. I just want to change the right things. It will at least be interesting to live through this yearning and see what changes. Most likely, it will be me.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Made To Stick
As a teaching Pastor I have been thinking and reading about how to make ideas stick in the minds of those I teach. Recently someone (shout out to Dave T.) recommended a book to me, it was called, "Made To Stick." This is a great book. The author brothers will be at the Willow Creek Leadership Conference in August.
More on the book later, but here is an example of what the book talks about and teaches.
Wow, this is a powerful message. Wonder what would happen if the church took seriously its message and its potential to STICK? Do you think it could change the world (again)?
(Interesting side note: Faith/Religion was not one of the ideas poo-poo'd in the above example.)
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Live at Red Rocks
Shows I'd like to see at Red Rocks:
The Offspring with Alkaline Trio, The Vandals, Street Dogs & Frontside Five
Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Rise Against with Rancid & Riverboat Gamblers
Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Kings of Leon with The Whigs
Sunday, August 09, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Depeche Mode with Peter Bjorn & John
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Monday, May 11, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Acoma Demolition
A BIG "Thank You!!!" to those TNLers who came out to Acoma today to help clean up the new office space!
Check it out!
Yes, that is a 3000lbs safe! Anyone want it...cheap?
Check it out!
Yes, that is a 3000lbs safe! Anyone want it...cheap?
Friday, May 8, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Critical Journey: The Productive Life
Stage #3: This stage is "described as the 'doing stage.' It is the period of time when we most consciously find ourselves working for God." (pg. 73)
For me the first thing to come to mind about this stage, is being employed as a pastor in a church. There have been times in my life when I have and have not worked in churches vocationally. However, I don't think this is what the authors are talking about.
To be productive and "work" for God does not mean you have to get a paycheck from a church. It simply means you are intentionally living a life that facilitates the Kingdom of God. You are aware that your actions, words and attitudes communicate the message of God. No resume, interview or job offer required.
This does require the understanding of how God had gifted someone. Our productivity or service comes directly from our gifts and talents. Being discerning enough to how someone is equipped will help guide them into a productive life.
For me this comes through teaching/preaching and leading vocationally in a church. There was once a time, just after leaving a church staff position when I thought I would be content not being a pastor any more. I was comfortable with the idea of never working in a church again. However, I soon learned that was not how I was wired. My gifts and talents were to be used on the inside of the church. While working outside the church (for nearly 6 years) I would tell people I had a good job. One I would recommend to others, one that met our basic needs. But I would tell people this "job" was not what I was created to do. Shortly after trying to life without working in a church, I realized I would not be happy or productive unless I was doing what God had prepared me for.
It may have taken me a long time to learn my lesson, but I get it now. Living and working out of your gift set will allow you to be "productive" in the kingdom of God.
For me the first thing to come to mind about this stage, is being employed as a pastor in a church. There have been times in my life when I have and have not worked in churches vocationally. However, I don't think this is what the authors are talking about.
To be productive and "work" for God does not mean you have to get a paycheck from a church. It simply means you are intentionally living a life that facilitates the Kingdom of God. You are aware that your actions, words and attitudes communicate the message of God. No resume, interview or job offer required.
This does require the understanding of how God had gifted someone. Our productivity or service comes directly from our gifts and talents. Being discerning enough to how someone is equipped will help guide them into a productive life.
For me this comes through teaching/preaching and leading vocationally in a church. There was once a time, just after leaving a church staff position when I thought I would be content not being a pastor any more. I was comfortable with the idea of never working in a church again. However, I soon learned that was not how I was wired. My gifts and talents were to be used on the inside of the church. While working outside the church (for nearly 6 years) I would tell people I had a good job. One I would recommend to others, one that met our basic needs. But I would tell people this "job" was not what I was created to do. Shortly after trying to life without working in a church, I realized I would not be happy or productive unless I was doing what God had prepared me for.
It may have taken me a long time to learn my lesson, but I get it now. Living and working out of your gift set will allow you to be "productive" in the kingdom of God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)