Sep 29 2008
Tomorrow is my last day at my job, and I haven’t gotten much response to resumes, so I will either be hitting the streets trying to get job interviews or laying on the couch watching soaps and eating bonbons. Not sure which yet…
Sep 17 2008
Dan Edelen at Cerulean Sanctum posts some thoughts on the notion of silence.
I’ve been thinking a lot about silence. (I guess if you perceive silence as a friend, you HAVE the ability to think.) If “Be still and know that I am God” is one of the hallmark verses of the Old Testament, what does it say about our ability to know God that we fill our days with noise and a blur of activity? I find it strange that I know adults, not children, who confess that they can’t sit in silence for a half hour without squirming and whining about it.
I think it’s an uncomfortable topic for many people, because they can’t relate to it. There always seems to be a television on, or a cell phone, or an iPod, or a …. We are now a wired, computer-based people, and that separates us from silence.
It’s interesting that Jesus frequently went into the wilderness to seek time with his father. The Judean wilderness is now and was then a hot, dry place. Not a lot of city noises to distract you.
Try this experiment today: on your way to or from work or the store, turn the radio and the cell phone OFF. Set aside all the issues that normally get your mind racing. Don’t pray. (When we are talking to God, we’re usually not listening.) Hear God. What does He say to you in the silence? There’s a reason He tells us to be still and know that He is God. If you survive the silence, and especially if God uses the opportunity to share His heart with you, seek out opportunities throughout the day and throughout the week to be with Him in silence.
Or, as a wiser man than I once said, “Never pass up a good opportunity to keep your mouth shut.”
Jun 30 2008
I’m off to Illinois for a week or so on family matters, so just talk quietly amongst yourselves till I get back.
Apr 11 2008
C. Michael Patton at Reclaiming the Mind is reading my mind. No sooner had I posted this piece yesterday when he posts this. It’s a great description of how we are to relate to one another in the face of our disagreements. Read the whole article (he promises two more on the same topic), but here are ten guidelines he proposes for interacting with grace:
1. Never say anything to someone online that you would not say in face to face. (2 Cor. 10:10-11)
2. Don’t take things too personally. Understand that many people are insecure and will interact with violent resolve to shield their insecurity. (Prov. 16:18)
3. Don’t take things too personally, but realize that [others may be saying] things we may need to hear. (Prov. 27:6)
4. Don’t respond immediately. Give yourself some time. Rash reactions are like drops of blood. Once the shark smells it, he will attack for the kill. (Prov. 12:18)
5. Interact with great humility. Go out of your way to recognize the right things that are said before you respond to the attacks. (Prov. 15:1)
6. Recognize that while you are separated from the other person by cyber space, there is no space that can separate you from God. (Ps. 139:7-9; Matt. 12:36)
7. Remember that virtual interactions have real people on the other end. These people are created in God’s image. Whether believers or not, they are like God. Who are we to curse someone created in the image of God? (Jam. 3:8-9)
8. Shower your response with biblical truth, but don’t shove the Bible down people’s throats. This can come across and arrogant and sloppy. Be tactful and sensitive to the context of the situation. Often, people do not avoid the Bible, they just avoid you with a Bible in your hands. (Eph. 4:29)
9. Don’t be a people pleaser. You will never satisfy everyone all the time. Speak what needs to be said without fear of reprisal from some particular group that you are trying to please. This is particularly hard for me. Sometimes when I write, I write to the donors of Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Sometimes I shape it for the legacy of Dallas Theological Seminary. Sometimes there are particular people (other bloggers) that I am fond of that I don’t want to hurt or disappoint. There is a fine line between being sensitive to an audience and compromise to an agenda. (Gal. 1:10)
10. If you are going to take people to task, rarely do this in a public forum. Contact them personally and try to resolve the situation. Don’t use people as a public punching bag. (Matt. 18:15)
Apr 02 2008
Martin LeBar at Sun and Shield shares a very interesting Scripture meme: the 10 events from the historical books of the Old Testament which he would like to have observed. Here is my take, though I’ve broadened it to all of Scripture. In no particular order:
I’ll tag KingDavid, Jamsco and Karen to see what goodies they can come up with.
Mar 17 2008
Focus on the Family is kicking off Focus Web Radio to mirror their daily broadcasts. Specific programs (Adventures in Odyssey, Plugged In, Weekend Magazine, and others) are individually available - or not - as podcasts at their respective websites, but if you have time to listen while at your computer, Web Radio is a good tool.
If you’re interested in podcasts and mp3 downloads of other Christian ministry programs, try OnePlace for an extensive listing.
(HT: Ray)
Mar 03 2008
My apologies for light posting and lots of technical difficulties over the past few days. I’ve been having hosting issues and, oh yeah, family turmoil. All is well, more or less.
