So I have been looking for camp resources online as we will be heading out to Clear Lake right away and I came across some "Grace Prayers" (praying for meals) and this is what I found:
JESUS WAS A COOL DUDE (To the tune of "We will, we will rock you" by Queen)
"Jesus was a cool dude,
40 days with no food,
Then he wrote the golden rule and that's O.K.
He's got love on his face!
Full of grace!
He's spreadin' his word all over the place!
Singin' we will, we will,
Praise him yah! Praise him WOO! (x2)"
Can you dig it?
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Wisdom
There are people that we know whom we deem "wise." But what is that? What is it about them that makes them wise? How would we describe it?
There seems to be a difference between knowledge and wisdom, they are not mutually exclusive, but one doesn't automatically equal the other. There are some brilliant minds out there with not a lot of wisdom. In fact, if fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (so says the Proverbs) then knowledge can potentially be a dangerous thing, for it can create in us self sufficiency.
I think those poeple who I know who have wisdom are people who are essentially humble. They do not claim their wisdom, or lord it over others, but rather have a clear understanding that their Lord is Jesus.
Yet there is still an element of "knowing" for wise people. They have an ability to look into a situation and see something that nobody else can. And then they enlighten the rest, and it seemed so simple, something that should have been so obvious but it wasn't. I am amazed when that happens. I am amazed at the wise, and how their eyes can see quite clear, and how their ears perceive great mystery.
In conclusion, I think human beings would do well to pray as Solomon prayed in 1 Kings 3. He did not ask God for riches, or long life, or fame, or any material thing. He asked for wisdom. And not just wisdom, but the mind that would be able to deceifer between right and wrong. It seems so simple, and I think it is. This is going to be my prayer this week.
There seems to be a difference between knowledge and wisdom, they are not mutually exclusive, but one doesn't automatically equal the other. There are some brilliant minds out there with not a lot of wisdom. In fact, if fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (so says the Proverbs) then knowledge can potentially be a dangerous thing, for it can create in us self sufficiency.
I think those poeple who I know who have wisdom are people who are essentially humble. They do not claim their wisdom, or lord it over others, but rather have a clear understanding that their Lord is Jesus.
Yet there is still an element of "knowing" for wise people. They have an ability to look into a situation and see something that nobody else can. And then they enlighten the rest, and it seemed so simple, something that should have been so obvious but it wasn't. I am amazed when that happens. I am amazed at the wise, and how their eyes can see quite clear, and how their ears perceive great mystery.
In conclusion, I think human beings would do well to pray as Solomon prayed in 1 Kings 3. He did not ask God for riches, or long life, or fame, or any material thing. He asked for wisdom. And not just wisdom, but the mind that would be able to deceifer between right and wrong. It seems so simple, and I think it is. This is going to be my prayer this week.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
stocks and golfs
So I am sitting in a Starbucks right now waiting for a meeting to commence, and the "meetee's" to get here. As I have been here only about 10 minutes, I have already heard a guy have a 10 minute conversation with a worker at the store about which perfect water bottle to get, for he needs just the perfect one for his golf bag as he golfs away the summer.
The other guy in here is on his computer, I can see it right now, and as he is chatting with a person across the table from him he is simultaneously checking out his stocks... No lie.
The point of me writing this is not so much to condemn the stock market or golf, but simply to say, "really? that is the best we got?" "that is when we've 'made it?'"
I can account for myself. In light of this realize I spend much of my time on things quite trivial.
Meetee just arrived.... maybe I'll hit a round after this, or check up on my stocks...
The other guy in here is on his computer, I can see it right now, and as he is chatting with a person across the table from him he is simultaneously checking out his stocks... No lie.
The point of me writing this is not so much to condemn the stock market or golf, but simply to say, "really? that is the best we got?" "that is when we've 'made it?'"
I can account for myself. In light of this realize I spend much of my time on things quite trivial.
Meetee just arrived.... maybe I'll hit a round after this, or check up on my stocks...
Friday, April 9, 2010
Generous or not... that is the question.
I think my older bro may be right in thinking about money. It has been a common thought pattern (and trend) among those around my age category that making too much money is not a good thing.
Let's just get something straight. Making too much money is a tough statement to put forward, because how much is too much? Also, making a lot of money is not a bad thing, but rather a potentially dangerous thing.
Perhaps the questions should be more about what is coming out of our pockets, rather than what is going in. I have a feeling God is concerned when people ignore relationships in order to make that extra few bucks, yes. But I do feel God is VERY concerned with how generous we are.
So a guy or gal makes $80,000 in a year. Is that a reason to judge them, or think they are doing a bad thing? Maybe... if the situation is right. But, that is mostly not our place. We should start asking ourselves the question, "Am I a generous person or not?"
With money, I think the saying is true that it is not what comes in that defiles a person but what comes out. It is true that wretchedness can creep out easier when so much money is coming in, but it doesn't need to be that way.
Let us all seek to be generous people, whether we make ten grand or one hundred grand. Wrestle with it.
Let's just get something straight. Making too much money is a tough statement to put forward, because how much is too much? Also, making a lot of money is not a bad thing, but rather a potentially dangerous thing.
Perhaps the questions should be more about what is coming out of our pockets, rather than what is going in. I have a feeling God is concerned when people ignore relationships in order to make that extra few bucks, yes. But I do feel God is VERY concerned with how generous we are.
So a guy or gal makes $80,000 in a year. Is that a reason to judge them, or think they are doing a bad thing? Maybe... if the situation is right. But, that is mostly not our place. We should start asking ourselves the question, "Am I a generous person or not?"
With money, I think the saying is true that it is not what comes in that defiles a person but what comes out. It is true that wretchedness can creep out easier when so much money is coming in, but it doesn't need to be that way.
Let us all seek to be generous people, whether we make ten grand or one hundred grand. Wrestle with it.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
How was Haiti?
That is the question people have been asking me as of late. I just got back with a group of seven others from the small island country, and I've been doing more than my fair share of reflecting. This is my second year going down there, and I gotta say it doesn't get any easier the second time. If anything, this year was much harder in light of the earthquake event in early January. It really did shake a whole nation.
It's hard to even put into words what this experience is. People will ask you when you get home from a missions trip to Haiti, how was Haiti? or how was the trip? I don't blame them at all for it is what I would say to if I were on that end. But it has me thinking about how to even describe it.
How is Haiti. Honestly, Haiti is in rough shape. Many folks from those parts have little or no hope for their country. Yet so many still love their country. Haiti is poor. Poorer than anything most people will ever see. Scarsity lives on every street corner. You don't really escape it. So how was Haiti? Well it's rough, we have to just be honest about that.
Don't get me wrong, Haitians are some of the friendliest folks you'll ever meet. They smile lots and are generous with even the little bit they do have. They are also in rough shape though. Many eat only once every two days, and the meal looks like a handful of rice. They don't have many possessions, many live without proper housing, many lack any kind of safety net that so many of us have.
The only thing I can do right now is to offer myself up as a living sacrifice that is willing to lay with these people on the altar of anguish. I think this may just be our divine vocation. Maybe the best thing to do is to simply allow what we see and experience in Haiti to penetrate our hearts, and just weep. May my heart break at that which breaks the heart of God. May I weep over injustice, inbalance of wealth, and depravity of even the simplist daily needs.
God save your people now
Grasp them from depth somehow
Burst forth in saving grace
Show now your face
It's hard to even put into words what this experience is. People will ask you when you get home from a missions trip to Haiti, how was Haiti? or how was the trip? I don't blame them at all for it is what I would say to if I were on that end. But it has me thinking about how to even describe it.
How is Haiti. Honestly, Haiti is in rough shape. Many folks from those parts have little or no hope for their country. Yet so many still love their country. Haiti is poor. Poorer than anything most people will ever see. Scarsity lives on every street corner. You don't really escape it. So how was Haiti? Well it's rough, we have to just be honest about that.
Don't get me wrong, Haitians are some of the friendliest folks you'll ever meet. They smile lots and are generous with even the little bit they do have. They are also in rough shape though. Many eat only once every two days, and the meal looks like a handful of rice. They don't have many possessions, many live without proper housing, many lack any kind of safety net that so many of us have.
The only thing I can do right now is to offer myself up as a living sacrifice that is willing to lay with these people on the altar of anguish. I think this may just be our divine vocation. Maybe the best thing to do is to simply allow what we see and experience in Haiti to penetrate our hearts, and just weep. May my heart break at that which breaks the heart of God. May I weep over injustice, inbalance of wealth, and depravity of even the simplist daily needs.
God save your people now
Grasp them from depth somehow
Burst forth in saving grace
Show now your face
Monday, February 22, 2010
Ads
"There is a place where hero's never die..." This was a quote I just saw on a commercial, and it had great movie hero's flashing on the screen like Bruce Willis from Die Hard, Val Kilmer in Batman, Toby McGuire (sp?) in Spiderman, Mel Gibson in Lethal weapon, and.... Ron Burgandy? That is either a mistake on the commercial maker's part or just pure brilliance.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Something about coming home
Doesn't matter where I go, and it doesn't matter how long I am gone. There is something mysterious to me about coming home.
They say that "home is where the heart is" and yet when I come home from being away it feels as though the "heart is where you home is." It seems like a huge piece of you, your identity even, is left in your homeland, awaiting your return and you subconsciously awaiting the reuniting of it.
I feel sorry for folks who feel as though they have no home, because this is such a wonderful feeling to have.
Maybe I over romanticize all of this, but I think there is something to it.
They say that "home is where the heart is" and yet when I come home from being away it feels as though the "heart is where you home is." It seems like a huge piece of you, your identity even, is left in your homeland, awaiting your return and you subconsciously awaiting the reuniting of it.
I feel sorry for folks who feel as though they have no home, because this is such a wonderful feeling to have.
Maybe I over romanticize all of this, but I think there is something to it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)