Well, I might just sit around and blog all day long. I have NO desire to work on the magazine...for DAYS now. Don't know what's up with that.
Yikes.
That's why I put on my recent church survey:
"Works best one project at a time"
Hopefully, I am not feeling like I am "done" with this project but rather just taking the Lord's lead...I think he is bringing me back into a closer fellowship with him....turning the magazine into HIS. Better yet, making ME realize in a more real way that it was, is and always will be His. Lol
I think I finally got it to the point where it is at least acceptable and now I am resting.
The seventh day as it were. Lol
No, I am not making any comparisons, just laughing at the near death I suffered getting it to this point.
If you have never been in publsishing, as I had not, you have NO idea...lol
Anyway, EVERYONE is sick at my house except Sloan who is over it and me who nearly got it but didn't. Jeff in Vero is really bad and Rach, Lauren and Kate are beyond the beyond. We had to miss the last showing of Wonka since Jeff was gone and I coudln't very well leave Sloan (who also hadn't seen it) here with three sick kids, while I jollied off to see a show. At least Jeff, Rach and Lauren got to see it. Sigh.
So we're lying low today...coughing and sneezing and laying around. The house is a MESS.
So don't come over.
:)
Monday, June 2, 2008
Debating Debate
Now that the Lord is back dragging my sorry boo-tay out of bed early enough to real bible study again, I run back into, oh my Word, the TRUTH! (get it? Oh my Word?)haha
Anyway, so here I am working ahead in 2 Tim 2:14 the approved workman...and run into the old DEBATE issue. It has been a topic of discussion lately.
It has been said of me before and as of recent late, that I "like to debate". (yeah, you know who you are. We'll be talking about it later. Lol)Now, only a few know me at all...none here I would say probably. And I would bet that many of you could really say the same. That people don't REALLY know you. But what does that mean anyway? Heck, I don't know. How can one man know another man's mind? They cannot. Not really. All they can really know is our love, right?
Anyhoo...guess what? I do NOT like to debate. I fight against debating. I want to debate debating. Lol Wait-actually I DO like to debate...let me explain.
We shall use the defintions of debate offered up by Dictionary.com for our purposes. There are 14 definitions but we only need two.
1. a discussion, involving opposing viewpoints: to argue or discuss (a question, issue, or the like)
2. a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.
So here are two forms of debate.
I do not like to do the first and I do like to do the second. One could not be further from the truth and perhaps that is why it perplexes me that I am perceived that way.
But the other form of debate, sure! To 'argue' the postive and negative ideas or sides of an issue? Fun! And give me either side too...no problem. That is what debating is to me. And I do like to do it.
But to argue my point? Never. I mean it is never my INTENTION to argue my point...state the facts sure. But not ARGUE them. As most of you DO know, I much prefer to stay out of it! If I am even the least bit unsure of the fact, I will not oft state it. But if I am sure then stand I will. I have to! I'm CALLED to, in love. If I sometimes do not do it gently enough, I am truly sorry and will certainly watch that. Of course, I continually ask to stay out of the thing anyway. Because to me? The ensuing argument would become foolish...if one argues a FACT, then it is foolishness, yes? Discuss it? Sure. Teach it? Sure. But debate it in argument? Never.
So no, I do not like to argue the facts, it is pointless, is it not? But on the factual side of things I do not even have to argue. And again, do you have to argue facts at all? Me thinks not. They simply stand.
Back to 2 Tim...2:23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil who has taken them captive to do his will.
To debate something for "fun" I would have to: not care about the issue, not have a stance on the issue and/or be able to see both sides of the issue and not consider one side factual or care if it was. Like: Which is the best candy bar Snickers or Twix. I would day Snickers, because it is FACT. (haha) But I do not care if it is fact or not so give me the Twix side and I'll debate it all the same.
But on 100% you know, like you know, like you know issues? Why argue? It's a fact. One believing it or not believing it is not going to change the FACT so if YOU want to argue it, leave me OUT of it. Lol
THe key to any good ability to teach I think, is to be able to really listen well and have a teachable spirit. One must be willing to LEARN new things. I LOVE when my mind gets changed about things. And it does. A LOT. But rarely on factual issues. Are they facts because I say so? Nope. The only facts I can stand on comfortably are God's Words. Fully understood, in proper contextual perspective and applied correctly.
Other than those, I know nussing.
Anyway, so here I am working ahead in 2 Tim 2:14 the approved workman...and run into the old DEBATE issue. It has been a topic of discussion lately.
It has been said of me before and as of recent late, that I "like to debate". (yeah, you know who you are. We'll be talking about it later. Lol)Now, only a few know me at all...none here I would say probably. And I would bet that many of you could really say the same. That people don't REALLY know you. But what does that mean anyway? Heck, I don't know. How can one man know another man's mind? They cannot. Not really. All they can really know is our love, right?
Anyhoo...guess what? I do NOT like to debate. I fight against debating. I want to debate debating. Lol Wait-actually I DO like to debate...let me explain.
We shall use the defintions of debate offered up by Dictionary.com for our purposes. There are 14 definitions but we only need two.
1. a discussion, involving opposing viewpoints: to argue or discuss (a question, issue, or the like)
2. a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.
So here are two forms of debate.
I do not like to do the first and I do like to do the second. One could not be further from the truth and perhaps that is why it perplexes me that I am perceived that way.
But the other form of debate, sure! To 'argue' the postive and negative ideas or sides of an issue? Fun! And give me either side too...no problem. That is what debating is to me. And I do like to do it.
But to argue my point? Never. I mean it is never my INTENTION to argue my point...state the facts sure. But not ARGUE them. As most of you DO know, I much prefer to stay out of it! If I am even the least bit unsure of the fact, I will not oft state it. But if I am sure then stand I will. I have to! I'm CALLED to, in love. If I sometimes do not do it gently enough, I am truly sorry and will certainly watch that. Of course, I continually ask to stay out of the thing anyway. Because to me? The ensuing argument would become foolish...if one argues a FACT, then it is foolishness, yes? Discuss it? Sure. Teach it? Sure. But debate it in argument? Never.
So no, I do not like to argue the facts, it is pointless, is it not? But on the factual side of things I do not even have to argue. And again, do you have to argue facts at all? Me thinks not. They simply stand.
Back to 2 Tim...2:23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil who has taken them captive to do his will.
To debate something for "fun" I would have to: not care about the issue, not have a stance on the issue and/or be able to see both sides of the issue and not consider one side factual or care if it was. Like: Which is the best candy bar Snickers or Twix. I would day Snickers, because it is FACT. (haha) But I do not care if it is fact or not so give me the Twix side and I'll debate it all the same.
But on 100% you know, like you know, like you know issues? Why argue? It's a fact. One believing it or not believing it is not going to change the FACT so if YOU want to argue it, leave me OUT of it. Lol
THe key to any good ability to teach I think, is to be able to really listen well and have a teachable spirit. One must be willing to LEARN new things. I LOVE when my mind gets changed about things. And it does. A LOT. But rarely on factual issues. Are they facts because I say so? Nope. The only facts I can stand on comfortably are God's Words. Fully understood, in proper contextual perspective and applied correctly.
Other than those, I know nussing.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Barefoot Kenyan
Interesting application on race running too...
talking about how you can go the 25th mile marker and begin the marathon and run the last mile...break through the finish line all sweaty and tired. But they STILL won't crown you right? You took a shortcut. You cheated. No cheating in Christianity. The thought strikes me funny even. As if we could get away with it. We try though don't we?
Anyway, they won't crown the cheater, they will crown the one who ran the race from the beginning.
Doug spoke on a barefoot Kenyan who ran a marathon to work each day being crowned the winner. And I imagine I have not kept up with my sports trivia as of late-becaue everyone laughed but I missed the joke...lol, but if a barefoot Kenyan (who ran a marathon to work each day) actually DID win the Boston Marathon, then it would be an even better application. Because anyone with a little training can run a race once. In a day.
But we are called to run that race every day of our LIVES. And THAT is what endurance is. Running the good race, EACH day. A marathon. No easy task but WORTH it!
May we all barefoot Kenyans...running a marathon to victory every day of our lives.
talking about how you can go the 25th mile marker and begin the marathon and run the last mile...break through the finish line all sweaty and tired. But they STILL won't crown you right? You took a shortcut. You cheated. No cheating in Christianity. The thought strikes me funny even. As if we could get away with it. We try though don't we?
Anyway, they won't crown the cheater, they will crown the one who ran the race from the beginning.
Doug spoke on a barefoot Kenyan who ran a marathon to work each day being crowned the winner. And I imagine I have not kept up with my sports trivia as of late-becaue everyone laughed but I missed the joke...lol, but if a barefoot Kenyan (who ran a marathon to work each day) actually DID win the Boston Marathon, then it would be an even better application. Because anyone with a little training can run a race once. In a day.
But we are called to run that race every day of our LIVES. And THAT is what endurance is. Running the good race, EACH day. A marathon. No easy task but WORTH it!
May we all barefoot Kenyans...running a marathon to victory every day of our lives.
I knew it was gonna be a good day
I guess I should have started with this but I just KNEW it was going to be a good day! It started good. It went good. It ended good.
I was ready for it I tell you.
Music was amazing. I love God's little thumbprints...
I was singing How Great Thou Art all the way to church and then it was one of the worship songs...CC style of course! :)
Tasting and seeing that the Lord is good...it's a wonder we ever taste anything else. Lol
It reminds me of when we drink everything but water and then get on a water kick. At first it's like ho hum. Then after a day or two, it suddenly tastes SOOOOOOO sweet.
I tasted the Lord today.
And He was so gooooood!
I was ready for it I tell you.
Music was amazing. I love God's little thumbprints...
I was singing How Great Thou Art all the way to church and then it was one of the worship songs...CC style of course! :)
Tasting and seeing that the Lord is good...it's a wonder we ever taste anything else. Lol
It reminds me of when we drink everything but water and then get on a water kick. At first it's like ho hum. Then after a day or two, it suddenly tastes SOOOOOOO sweet.
I tasted the Lord today.
And He was so gooooood!
SGO: Enduring to the end!
Endurance.
Endurance to run the race.
I have always loved that scripture:
Galatians 5:7
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?
That actually was NOT the scripture we were studying today...we were in 2 Tim but it was the one I kept thinking of...and it certainly applies!
Through our troubles we are SO unfaithful. Ok, let me speak for myself. I am so unfaithful. Heck, I don't even have to have TROUBLE and I am unfaithful. It KILLS me. I can't figure it out. But neither could Paul so I figure I am in good wretched man company. Lol
Doug talked about God as our personal trainer. Sounds like "Church to Go" when I say it like that doesn't it? But it really wasn't. A trainer pushes you to the limit as our circumstances sometimes do. But like our trainer knowing our physical limit, God knows our financial, mental, emotional, healthful and spiritual limit. And He won't press us past our breaking point!
YOU may think you cannot take it but GOD knows you can or He wouldn't allow it.
So for the Christian, giving up is not an option. Because if God's Word says we are not pressed to destruction but only to the refining fire, then when we "give up" we are deceived. We act as if there is no other way, no option, no hope...when there is. When most likely we are just steps away from the release or the growth or the epiphany...but instead we opt out for death. Not spiritual death thankfully.
But momentary victory....we choose loss instead of gain.
Help me Lord, help me choose victory over loss. If you ALWAYS have victory for me, why do I choose loss in the moment? It is unfathomable.
Press on brethren. Do not let ANYONE cut in on your race. Run it to the end! With vigor...and on to victory!
Endurance to run the race.
I have always loved that scripture:
Galatians 5:7
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?
That actually was NOT the scripture we were studying today...we were in 2 Tim but it was the one I kept thinking of...and it certainly applies!
Through our troubles we are SO unfaithful. Ok, let me speak for myself. I am so unfaithful. Heck, I don't even have to have TROUBLE and I am unfaithful. It KILLS me. I can't figure it out. But neither could Paul so I figure I am in good wretched man company. Lol
Doug talked about God as our personal trainer. Sounds like "Church to Go" when I say it like that doesn't it? But it really wasn't. A trainer pushes you to the limit as our circumstances sometimes do. But like our trainer knowing our physical limit, God knows our financial, mental, emotional, healthful and spiritual limit. And He won't press us past our breaking point!
YOU may think you cannot take it but GOD knows you can or He wouldn't allow it.
So for the Christian, giving up is not an option. Because if God's Word says we are not pressed to destruction but only to the refining fire, then when we "give up" we are deceived. We act as if there is no other way, no option, no hope...when there is. When most likely we are just steps away from the release or the growth or the epiphany...but instead we opt out for death. Not spiritual death thankfully.
But momentary victory....we choose loss instead of gain.
Help me Lord, help me choose victory over loss. If you ALWAYS have victory for me, why do I choose loss in the moment? It is unfathomable.
Press on brethren. Do not let ANYONE cut in on your race. Run it to the end! With vigor...and on to victory!
SGO: The Word of God will always BUST OUT!
Ahhhhh, one of my favorite lines out of church today! SO true. Nothing can keep God in the darkness. His Word always prevails. ALWAYS. ALWAYS. I remember when I was going through the worst church experience of my LIFE in my old home town and I was thinking...this is TOTALLY not fair. SO much deception had been present and I was really whipped. And my pastor was on the upswing from it before I was, and told me "Don't worry, what is in the darkness WILL be brought to light." And a couple of years later, it was. Yes, it took a couple of years but then it all busted open and I never forgot those words. Anyway, it just made me think of that today. That God and His Word ALWAYS prevails. And whether you're on the right side of the thing or the wrong side of the thing, as a walking Christian, you always want God to prevail and He always does.
Bustin' out for God! Woohoo!
Bustin' out for God! Woohoo!
Woohoo!
Sunday's not a comin', it's a here!
And I am going to get to go to church and LISTEN to the Word!
Now, that's exciting!
Tune in later for details!
And I am going to get to go to church and LISTEN to the Word!
Now, that's exciting!
Tune in later for details!
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