A. M. U.
Du It
Friday, December 31, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Responsibility, Repentance, and Susie Sneezing on Me
"...if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
~I Timothy 5.8 (ESV)
_____
The past year has included times that I would rather forget than think upon. That would be largely irresponsible. A choice that is mine to make or not, but a choice nonetheless.
If I would choose (and truely I have chosen this path numerous times), to attempt to disregard the past year as fiction or otherwise fantastical, I would be left to pick up pieces from a puzzle that I refuse to acknowledge exists.
If I would set my eyes upon seeking a resolution to what has happened, say... take responsibility as I am able and as is appropriate, the facts of the situation will not change. But the outcome of my life, my sanity, my health, my faith, my relationships will be significantly different, profoundly healthier and more positive.
_____
Allow me to use an example to illustrate what I am trying to share...
A few years back, my dog Susie and I were chilling in the front yard. Sun shining, muscle shirt on (oh yeah!), and dog by my side. Well, to capture the beauty of the moment, I was video taping with my digital camera. And wouldn't you know it, Susie sneezed on me. Of all the times, with the camera rolling. Priceless. Evidenced as follows...
_____
I know little about dog mucus. Or about how human flesh reacts to dog mucus. But I do understand the sensation of having dog mucus on my human flesh.
Possible reactions to this occurance may include:
~disgust;
~proclaiming the dog to be disgusting;
~a look of disgust upon ones' face;
~a gander in a mirror to discover the disgustingness of dog mucus upon human flesh;
~washing the disgustiness of dog mucus off ones' human flesh.
Whatever the plan of action includes for said human, it must be decided upon and acted upon. Even the decision of doing "nothing" (i.e. remaining with the dog on the grass) is a decision and an action (or inaction). But decisions have been made and consequences dealt out.
_____
Now, worse things in my life have happened. It's true. As the pictures show, I smiled and continued being with Susie. I enjoyed the precious moment that it was.
This situation... real-life as it was... strange as it was... funny as it was... was a decision to take responsibility for my self in life. I could not rewind time and move 5 feet away from Susie moments before she sneezed. I couldn't encourage her to turn her head the other way and try again. I could not change her actions. I was left to deal with life as it stood before me.
_____
Perhaps you have been royally jipped in life. Ripped off. Felt the world, the church, whoever... screwed you over to the point where responsibility, never mind forgiveness, was completely out of the question.
Well... the onus is on no one else. The person that hurt you--intentionally or not, whether they realize it or not--truely has nothing to do with how you react. As I have been taught in recent years, there is not a single person or event in history or currently, that has or will ever "make me mad". Does the holocaust bother me? Certainly. Does starvation bother me. Yes. Does abortion bother me? It really does. But those are my decisions to become angry. No one makes me, or you, angry. I feel this is an important truth: we absolutely must take responsibility for our actions and inactions. Whether we have been hurt or blessed. This is no way around this.
Because if we will not step up and deal with life, we will only fall further and further down. And, I imagine that chances are high... that we will drag others down with us.
_____
The ESV study notes on I Timothy 5.8 include: "Provision for one's own family is a spiritual issue of utmost importance" (italics mine).
We may not think our actions or inactions carry consequences. But they will, and they do. If you are old enough to read these thoughts, I will assume you are mature enough to contemplate them. They might sting, but so do the final 5 reps in your workout. And we all know that is where muscle growth comes from. So sweat it out.
~I Timothy 5.8 (ESV)
_____
The past year has included times that I would rather forget than think upon. That would be largely irresponsible. A choice that is mine to make or not, but a choice nonetheless.
If I would choose (and truely I have chosen this path numerous times), to attempt to disregard the past year as fiction or otherwise fantastical, I would be left to pick up pieces from a puzzle that I refuse to acknowledge exists.
If I would set my eyes upon seeking a resolution to what has happened, say... take responsibility as I am able and as is appropriate, the facts of the situation will not change. But the outcome of my life, my sanity, my health, my faith, my relationships will be significantly different, profoundly healthier and more positive.
_____
Allow me to use an example to illustrate what I am trying to share...
A few years back, my dog Susie and I were chilling in the front yard. Sun shining, muscle shirt on (oh yeah!), and dog by my side. Well, to capture the beauty of the moment, I was video taping with my digital camera. And wouldn't you know it, Susie sneezed on me. Of all the times, with the camera rolling. Priceless. Evidenced as follows...
_____
I know little about dog mucus. Or about how human flesh reacts to dog mucus. But I do understand the sensation of having dog mucus on my human flesh.
Possible reactions to this occurance may include:
~disgust;
~proclaiming the dog to be disgusting;
~a look of disgust upon ones' face;
~a gander in a mirror to discover the disgustingness of dog mucus upon human flesh;
~washing the disgustiness of dog mucus off ones' human flesh.
Whatever the plan of action includes for said human, it must be decided upon and acted upon. Even the decision of doing "nothing" (i.e. remaining with the dog on the grass) is a decision and an action (or inaction). But decisions have been made and consequences dealt out.
_____
Now, worse things in my life have happened. It's true. As the pictures show, I smiled and continued being with Susie. I enjoyed the precious moment that it was.
This situation... real-life as it was... strange as it was... funny as it was... was a decision to take responsibility for my self in life. I could not rewind time and move 5 feet away from Susie moments before she sneezed. I couldn't encourage her to turn her head the other way and try again. I could not change her actions. I was left to deal with life as it stood before me.
_____
Perhaps you have been royally jipped in life. Ripped off. Felt the world, the church, whoever... screwed you over to the point where responsibility, never mind forgiveness, was completely out of the question.
Well... the onus is on no one else. The person that hurt you--intentionally or not, whether they realize it or not--truely has nothing to do with how you react. As I have been taught in recent years, there is not a single person or event in history or currently, that has or will ever "make me mad". Does the holocaust bother me? Certainly. Does starvation bother me. Yes. Does abortion bother me? It really does. But those are my decisions to become angry. No one makes me, or you, angry. I feel this is an important truth: we absolutely must take responsibility for our actions and inactions. Whether we have been hurt or blessed. This is no way around this.
Because if we will not step up and deal with life, we will only fall further and further down. And, I imagine that chances are high... that we will drag others down with us.
_____
The ESV study notes on I Timothy 5.8 include: "Provision for one's own family is a spiritual issue of utmost importance" (italics mine).
We may not think our actions or inactions carry consequences. But they will, and they do. If you are old enough to read these thoughts, I will assume you are mature enough to contemplate them. They might sting, but so do the final 5 reps in your workout. And we all know that is where muscle growth comes from. So sweat it out.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Between the lines...
Not that I am an expert at reading or understanding media and society, but I was sure struck by some happenings while at a baseball game in Winnipeg recently.
"The number of the beast".
Playboy.
"Lovers... 20,000".
Alright.. so while settling into my seat before gametime, I read the words on the back of a young man's t-shirt... "The number of the beast." Being the Bible scholar I am, I recognized that to be 666 and, well, associated with Satan. The front of the shirt was a graphic and disgusting picture along with the words of a band.. "Iron Maiden". Strike 1.
And while sitting in my seat, I took up an old hobby: people watching. Creepy, but intriguing. During which, I noticed a group of teen-aged girls walking to the seats, one texting on her phone. Which was covered in a pink phone holder with the Playboy symbol on it. Nothing like treating yourself like a piece of meat, eh. Strike 2.
And another shirt. This one said "Chamberlain" and "20,000".. sort of like a basketball jersey might read. And my guess as to what the shirt meant was confirmed when reading the front of it.. "Lovers". Allow me to explain.. Wilt Chamberlain was a basketball player who spent time playing for the L. A. Lakers. He was more than famous for his sexual partners. Thus, the shirt. Strike 3.
The depravity in society disgusts me. I am not immune to it, nor am I innocent of being a part of it. Yet something can be done...
"The number of the beast".
Playboy.
"Lovers... 20,000".
Alright.. so while settling into my seat before gametime, I read the words on the back of a young man's t-shirt... "The number of the beast." Being the Bible scholar I am, I recognized that to be 666 and, well, associated with Satan. The front of the shirt was a graphic and disgusting picture along with the words of a band.. "Iron Maiden". Strike 1.
And while sitting in my seat, I took up an old hobby: people watching. Creepy, but intriguing. During which, I noticed a group of teen-aged girls walking to the seats, one texting on her phone. Which was covered in a pink phone holder with the Playboy symbol on it. Nothing like treating yourself like a piece of meat, eh. Strike 2.
And another shirt. This one said "Chamberlain" and "20,000".. sort of like a basketball jersey might read. And my guess as to what the shirt meant was confirmed when reading the front of it.. "Lovers". Allow me to explain.. Wilt Chamberlain was a basketball player who spent time playing for the L. A. Lakers. He was more than famous for his sexual partners. Thus, the shirt. Strike 3.
The depravity in society disgusts me. I am not immune to it, nor am I innocent of being a part of it. Yet something can be done...
Monday, August 9, 2010
My First Bombers Jersey
What a momentous day in the life of Lee. Stewardship of a new Bombers jersey.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Spot the differences...
It seems ages ago when I was staring at cereal boxes as a kid, trying to find the differences between 2 pictures of Toucan Sam in the jungle or Tony the Tiger doing--uh, tiger-ish things. Alas, those days are not completely gone...
Spot the differences...
I'll give you a hint... it has to do with my facial hair and piercings... try again!
Ok, ok... here are the answers...
Lee the pierced-and-hairy-and-thus-obviously-not-real-Christian
Lee the slightly-less-hairy-and-thus-slightly-less-non-Christian
Lee the Christian
__________
It seems quite amazing to me how ones' appearance apparently shows what faith they believe in, or whether they have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And how impotent the true Gospel of Grace appears when we judge one another on physical appearance.
Spot the differences...
I'll give you a hint... it has to do with my facial hair and piercings... try again!
Ok, ok... here are the answers...
Lee the pierced-and-hairy-and-thus-obviously-not-real-Christian Lee the slightly-less-hairy-and-thus-slightly-less-non-Christian Lee the Christian__________
It seems quite amazing to me how ones' appearance apparently shows what faith they believe in, or whether they have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And how impotent the true Gospel of Grace appears when we judge one another on physical appearance.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
What if...?
Reading a portion of Scripture that a friend passed along to me brought me to thinking of what my life would look like if I did what Jesus did, in placing His Father's will above His. What if I would have God's desires at the forefront of my life?
I think what I will do is scratch out some thoughts in my journal to this question, but... what would our lives look like if we would.. live.. for Christ? Really.. live for Him. Not 'do it cuz it's good or right', but that we would be utterly consumed.
For myself... what if I would be as passionate and committed about growing in relationship with Christ as I am learning about John Cash, or playing baseball? I want my clothing to demonstrate my passion for baseball. I want my cd collection to reveal my fascination with the music of John Cash. What if my everything spread the truth of my desire for Jesus? What would it look like?
I think what I will do is scratch out some thoughts in my journal to this question, but... what would our lives look like if we would.. live.. for Christ? Really.. live for Him. Not 'do it cuz it's good or right', but that we would be utterly consumed.
For myself... what if I would be as passionate and committed about growing in relationship with Christ as I am learning about John Cash, or playing baseball? I want my clothing to demonstrate my passion for baseball. I want my cd collection to reveal my fascination with the music of John Cash. What if my everything spread the truth of my desire for Jesus? What would it look like?
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Sexuality: A Gift of God - I
The topic of sexuality has been on my mind for quite a while-- rather, speaking about the topic has been on my mind. So I would like to enter into a dialogue (not monologue, friends) in this regard.
I hope to be able to expose some facts, thoughts, and ideas on sexuality including talk of morality (e.g. masturbation), hindrances and falsehoods (e.g. media), and the beauty of sexuality (i.e. thank you, Jesus), and to offer resources to help us on the journey.
Stay tuned.
Lee
I hope to be able to expose some facts, thoughts, and ideas on sexuality including talk of morality (e.g. masturbation), hindrances and falsehoods (e.g. media), and the beauty of sexuality (i.e. thank you, Jesus), and to offer resources to help us on the journey.
Stay tuned.
Lee
Monday, July 5, 2010
Perfect // Bitter Taste
Living Sacrifice
Perfect
Let it take hold
Let it take hold
Let it take hold
Let it take hold
We have perverted, destroyed the truth
Exchanged for a slant or fiction
That feeds the part of me
That will become the darkest place of all
One thought, one word spoken
All of this exist unto You
In everything I believe and see
That confirms the love
We have perverted, destroyed the truth
Exchanged for a fabrication
This hope that lies within
Exposed for all to see
Let it take hold
Let it take hold
I choose a perfect way
I choose a perfect way
I choose a perfect way
I choose a perfect way
In everything I believe and see
That confirms the love
Can I receive this gift, never ceasing?
This hope that lies within, let it take hold
//
Spoken featuring Cory from Norma Jean
Bitter Taste
Go ahead and nail my face to the floor
Cause you know I'll never make it on my own
You're the blood in my veins
You're the fire burning deep inside
A bitter taste of today
Such as each one that passes
I'll fight this again tomorrow
Watch as the scales fall from my eyes
Another chance to overcome
A bitter taste of today
In a moment it can fade away
Our lives can change so fast
You're the blood in my veins
You're the fire burning deep inside
A bitter taste of today
Such as each one that passes
I'll fight this again tomorrow
Watch as the scales fall from my eyes
Another chance to overcome
You'll see a change in me
Watch as the scales fall from my eyes
You'll see a change in me
Watch as the scales fall from my eyes
A bitter taste of today
Such as each one that passes
I'll fight this again tomorrow
Watch as the scales fall from my eyes
Another chance to overcome
Go ahead and nail my...to the floor
Go ahead and nail my...to the floor
Go ahead and nail my...to the floor
Friday, July 2, 2010
Welcome
Welcome to my new adventure: I choose a perfect way.
I selected the blog title and site addresses from Living Sacrifice and Spoken song lyrics, respectively. More to come on that...
Stay tuned,
Lee
I selected the blog title and site addresses from Living Sacrifice and Spoken song lyrics, respectively. More to come on that...
Stay tuned,
Lee
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)