Other Shoes

I stole some time on Sunday to listen to a podcast of an interview with Chuck Swindoll. I've been a fan for a while—mostly due to a piece he wrote on "Attitude" wherein he describes life as 10% of what happens to us, and 90% how we react to it. Therefore, our attitudes, play a key role in how we are affected by, and can impact life. Anyway, in this interview, he is asked "How do we stay authentic?". Sort of a funny question if you think about it, but I understand the interviewers question. Sometimes our authenticity can become unauthentic—more presumed upon or egocentric.

Swindoll answers, "Stay teachable.", "I am not caught up in what I am. I try to put myself in the shoes of the other person.".

I know I can get bogged down in what I'd like to say in given situations that I can lose focus on what should be shared, and can easily lose sight of the state of affairs of my audience. A while back I wrote Consider Consider discussing how we don't take time to stay teachable, or imagine another pair of shoes.

Frankly, we don't put ourselves in other's shoes... We are reactive, inconsiderate, vengeful, opinionated, and can so often just act the donkey. We must find pause to respond well—and through the appropriate vehicles. 1 Timothy 4:12 shares "...but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.". Let us do so. Let me do so.

Experience Learning

I figured I need to write something about this snow, ice and wintry experience in Southtown. It truly has been unique. Schools closed. Businesses closed. Streets shutdown. Families shut in.

Some highlights:

• Shoveling my driveway with a wire shelf
• Sledding down the icy roads
• The flushed faces of boys coming in from playing in the snow
• The smell of wet "snow gear" and therefore the din of the clothes dryer
• The hard drive on my laptop crashing
• My ensuing drive downtown "braving the elements"to get it fixed
• Slipping on the ice and wrenching my knee (diagnosis TBD)
• Picking up a couple of great, hot pizzas on the way home
• The heightened Facebook interaction with a good bit of down time
• Moms and kids figuring out "what to do"

When the hard drive went, I had the option of braving the icy roads of Atlanta and getting to my "Mac Guy's" house so he could take a peak. Or stay home and wonder if I would ever recover what I'd potentially lost (Yes, potentially, the Guy's a genius and was able to come to my data rescue). I decided to take the drive. On my way to the car, I slipped on the ice and twisted my knee. I felt like a complete dork. I felt old. I literally asked God "Okay, is this a sign of you wanting me to stay here and not risk the road? Or is it another thing that just sort of "happens"?"

I have a good friend who says (mostly about his kids) that we need to make sure we use things as a "learning experience". This holds true in SO much of what occurs. All too often, I don't think that way. Or, I refuse to learn anything from it, and therefore, don't change anything about it. I believe God continues to bring us‚ again and again, to certain places (literally and figuratively) in life. And won't stop bringing us there until He's accomplished, or we've learned, His intention. We just have to ask the question of Him when we find ourselves in certain places and situations. That and make time to hear His answer.

So what was I to learn from the whole knee thing? I dunno. Perhaps that I need to be more careful when walking on icy roads. Perhaps to remember that God is with me. Regardless of the the situation. Big or small. Or perhaps it was an opportunity for me to remember God.

Matthew 28:20 "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Unlike Cynicism

As I've written in the past, I have sort of a love/hate relationship with social media. Facebook and Twitter specifically. I use both. Some might say that's hypocritical, but it is a love/hate.

The love side leans towards my output and some of what I believe is great, inspired, insightful input or direction. The hate side (gosh, hate seems pretty dramatic)—lets just say "not like" side, or "wonder why they say that" side—plays out in the seemingly monotonous moment-to-moment, "I am here", "I am there", "I did this", "I did that" update. But, who am I to play judge and jury. Simply because I find its use one way, and others another, why can I be such a cynic. Its only Facebook, Rick.

The reality is I can all to often be such a cynic. WAY too often.  Freedefinition.com hit my nail right on the head with its definition: "An attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others". Certainly there are beliefs formed within me, and general knowledge of my "friends" which can correctly provide perspective on some of this (posts) from which I form an opinion. But I know that I frequently have knee-jerk condemnation. 

Someone had driven me towards Isaiah 1:17 via a tweet. Conveniently enough, I hopped on my Bible app, scrolled on my touchpad to the verse and read it. (This is when I love the media and technology of it all*. Something sparked me, and within and instant, I am in.) As I scrolled further down to verse 18 it states "Come, let's consider your options," says the LORD. "Though your sins have stained you like the color red, you can become white like snow;"**. The concept of God coming alongside us and asking us to Consider Our Options is quite a thought.

We need to ensure we are considering our options and checking our attitude as stuff comes our way. Be it a status update, a child's request, a friend's comment, a neighbor's dog, a stranger's glance, a task ordered, etc.. 

Too often I am not. Too often I am the cynic. 

So if you are reading this blog, and have connected via Facebook or Twitter, please look beyond any hypocrisy you may feel, and understand that I am just a....well, a dude....trying to get better at being a husband, a dad, a friend, a counselor, a storyteller, a Child of God.



*Clearly there can be negatives to this sort of instant information, gratification, and reaction.

**Now, within Isaiah, this is not a kinder gentler God coming alongside someone. Moreover a life and death-weighing, mighty fear-inducing God. But for my purposes above, I have toned this down to something more attainable for the subject matter. Yet still retaining relevance as it was the source of inspiration.

Ego Away

Proverbial New Year's resolutions come in the forms of weight loss, organization, fitness, etc.. I am not a big fan of resolutions as I often have trouble keeping any of them. I've even gone as far as setting an alternative "start date" to see if that'll help. But, I seem to always fall short. Or too long. Or whatever the alternative to my resolution may be. Nevertheless, I am giving it another whack. One I believe is attainable. Not on my own doing. But with the Grace of God. I want to become less. Not weigh less—although that would be great—but become egoless, selfless, othersmore, others-serving, unconditionally others-loving.

According to Merriam Webster, "ego" is defined as : the self especially as contrasted with another self or the world.

Ego as a default will rear its ugly head in the form of pride, self-indulgence, sarcasm, cynicism, etc.. However it all to often shows its uglier side with piety, sack cloth, closed ears, non-grace and holier than thouness. 

Matthew 6:16-18 states "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

My intention (though my intentions sometimes go the way of my resolutions) is to examine some of these "self" words mentioned above. This I believe will be a good exercise for me—as lessening my Ego/Self is always a major struggle.

My prayer for this year is Less of me. More of Thee. As I state in my blog bio "May any words in here about me, never be about "me"." I hope this holds true. Let me know if you see otherwise.

Are You Good with That?

The following was written by a friend, neighbor, and brother, and is posted with his permission. This caused me to pause, and think—which is most likely an intention of anyone who writes (I know it is with me). He'd shared this with me, and I wanted to do the same. Very good stuff. Enjoy.


ARE YOU GOOD WITH THAT?

The last few years I've noticed an increase of "prophetic word". Folk (mostly clergy) saying this is the year of...Overflow, or Harvest, or Increase, or Favor. Invariably someone at the end of that year, who by the way received and believed that word, had the year from HELL (real or imagined). For them it appeared at times, that there was a decline in their finances, disorder in their lives, unimaginable pain. For them their latter was not nearly as great as their past.

• What do you do when GODS delay is denial? I can no more tell you what to do than the man in the moon. I can ask however; Are you good with that?

Increasingly I've come to realize that I better be sure that my declarations are mine and not an extension of someone else’s trending. Some people are having some of the most difficult periods of their lives. Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, Father Time, The New Years Baby, 2011, nor some trending catch slogan is going to change that.

• What do you do when the Harvest is not ripe and the laborers are many? I can no more tell you what to do than the man in the moon. I can ask however; Are you good with that?

I take issue with the lack of balance in this new age "Dr Phil School of Absolute Prohecy" messaging. Not because it is thin, or not rightly attenuated to the nefarious ways of man. No, I take issue with the oft practiced avoidance of the, "Not Your Year" Clause. The “If I can’t sell it, I won’t espouse it” Clause. I guess there is no market for "I'm glad I didn't go through that" messages.

• What do you do when the grass is greener on the other side? I can no more tell you what to do than the man in the moon. I can ask however; Are you good with that?

Make no mistake about it; for every great, wonderful, miraculous story there is the polar opposite. There is that message of blessing that the Pontiff, Pastor, or Prophet told you, was on the way, just before their condition changed and the message went to "Warfare".

• What do you do when you are told the "enemy is attacking"; but things couldn't be better for you? I can no more tell you what to do than the man in the moon. I can ask however’ Are you good with that?

There are going to be those who say this is food for thought, sadly profound, or an early morning diatribe. And others who will say they can hear frustration and pain. And I say....In everything give thanks.......In all my ways acknowledge.....

I’m good with that.
©Stephen D. Kee-Author

If this is something you enjoy, please check out his book "I Head What You Said, But I Saw What You Did"

Merry Convictmas

In a community group my wife and I visit on Sunday mornings we were discussing Christmas. From pre-Christ winter solstice celebrations, through His birth, to original Mardi Gras-like Christmas celebrations, to Santa, to the Americanization. And even covered the financial impact of the Christmas Holiday in America—I believe it was said to be $30 Billion industry—that's just Christmas stuff, not even the gifts!

After we'd looked at the timeline of historical Christmas, the question was posed to the group. "What are you going to do to celebrate the birth of Jesus?". The room was silent for a bit. Thoughts were swirling through my head.

Christmastime causes me to think a lot, and I have been quite intentional with some thought in this blog (Wack Friday and Holiday Obligations). This time of year I am whelmed with thoughts of overcommercialization, focus on the needy, helping your fellow-man, giving and serving, and sharing the Gospel.

That said, I was convicted pretty heavily in two areas:

1. What am I going to do to celebrate the birth of Jesus?
2. Why does this others whelming come so much only at the Thanksgiving/Christmas Season?

Regarding #1, clearly I/we get focused on getting a lot of the Christmas Holiday "right". Doing the right things. Finding the right gifts. Running around to parties. Creating time to celebrate with family—to give and share.  Now my own household has diminished a lot of the extravagance of the season but we continue to figure out which Christmas Eve service we are going to attend to that will play into our other plans for the Eve.

Conviction #1, I truly want to celebrate the birth of our Savior.  And celebrate we should. Perhaps not Mardi Gras, but we really ought to celebrate THIS occurrence which perhaps Simeon summed it up best in Luke 2:30-32 "For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” THIS occurrence need celebration—through praise and honor, through warmth and family, through joyful telling of stories and song!

Regarding #2, perhaps its the "feel good" stories, Christmas Carol, etc. that can bring a focus toward fellow man and redemption. The cold weather as we're nestled in under our blankets with cocoa vs. the thoughts of the homeless on the street. The Holiday and the loss of loved ones. Or the lonely.

Conviction #2, this consideration and attitude needs to take place year-round. We do our best, but we all lose the vision. The priority of reaching, communicating with and reforming others—through the redeeming power of Jesus—needs to be our #1 focus 365 days a year. Not just around the 25th of December. Now, a lot of folks may be good at this. I just know I should always try to do better than I have.

I hope this makes sense. There is a lot on my mind and heart about this....

Holiday Obligations

This Christmas as with every Christmas, I find that I am busy, cynical toward the commercialization, trying to keep the family joyful, and working hard up until some time off. All the while, trying to remember the Christ child. Last night I was smacked in the face by a couple of verses.

• "I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." Romans 1:14-16
• "Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you. Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him." Deuteronomy 8:1-6

Not only is this a time of reverence for Christ's birth, but additionally, a reminder of our place in the world. A world that needs us. Greeks and non-Greeks. Jew and Gentile. Haves and Have-nots. Friends and Enemies. Haters and Hatees. The Successful and the Failures. The Straight and the Gay. The Cheater and the Cheated. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

We are obligated to open our homes—without worry as to the pomp and experience—just open them. We are obligated to open our hearts. We are obligated to open our wallets. We are obligated to open our mouths. We must remember how the Lord your God...