Only Read the Parts You Want To

So I know I have not written in a while, so here goes nothing.

I wanted to share with you one of the things I have been thinking about which is hearing the whole story out. What do I mean?

I mean that I’m finding that a lot of times people are reading and hearing only the parts they want to read or hear. Our society is filled with a skepticism (I am not exempt) that taints the whole picture that is trying to be conveyed, wether written or by mouth.

When we read through someone’s blog or book we find the parts that we disagree and make our judgments based on that. Most of the time we don’t even read the rest of the passage that explains the statement that was published, and if we do it’s a mere skim. The same goes for when we are part of a conversation. As soon as we hear something we disagree with, we jump on that statement without allowing the person speaking to finish their thoughts. Other times we are sitting in a sermon and as soon as we hear something we disagree with we tune out.

The situations stated above are things that happen, not things that happen ALL of the time. But I have been coming more and more aware that this is something our culture and generation is doing. I am finding that when we read the WHOLE story and when we LISTEN until the speaker is DONE things are much clearer most of the time. (There are times that we will still disagree with the author when we do this.)

With all that said, one of the things I am encouraging myself to do is to read the whole story and listen until the person is done. I want to know the whole argument until I give my opinion. I want to be able to make an educated comment or argument based off of all the facts, not just a statement I skimmed over.

That’s a Grey Area

This weekend I heard  a really great message given by Pastor Andy Lehmann. The message concluded a sermon series and was entitled “The Grey Elephant.”

The message was about grey areas in our walk with God. I have heard many messages on this area, but Andy delivered it in such a way that captured and maintained my attention along with many others. He gave interesting points that are very applicable to our daily lives.

Here is the link where Andy’s message can be heard. I strongly suggest this sermon to all.

Enthusiasm in Our Pursuit

Zeal – great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or object.

I have probably been learning this all of my life, but more prominently over the past few weeks, that God calls us to have a sense of zeal in our relationship with him. Even more exciting and important I am learning why we should have this sense of zeal in our relationships with God. God has so many great things in store for our lives and so many amazing gifts he wants to give to us. He makes life worth living and makes his way of life worth pursuing. However, in this post I want to focus on the call to live a zealous life with sharing a few scripture verses and references with you.

“The effectual prayer of a righteous person avails much.” James 5:16

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:11-14

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave.” Ecclesiastes 9:10

I hope this post was encouraging and provoking enthusiasm. I will leave you with a quote from Samuel Chadwick:

“Spirit-filled souls are ablaze for God. They love with a love that glows. They believe with a faith that kindles. They serve with a devotion that consumes. They hate sin with a fierceness that burns. They rejoice with a joy that radiates. Love is perfected in the fire of God.”

Flash from the Past

I had to laugh (and take a picture) as I walked past this to my car. But hey, their car was probably cooler than mine!

Flipping Through the Channels

I have never been a committed television watcher, however there are some shows that I do enjoy. Here is a list of some shows and networks that I have enjoyed watching recently when I am flipping through the channels (in no particular order):

1. Iron Chef America
2. What Not to Wear
3. The Cleaner
4. The Food Network (Very yummy AND creative!)
5. Grey’s Anatomy
6. The Hills – I probably won’t continue to watch this when the new season comes out because LC is gone.
7. Animal Planet (Network – usually there is an interesting show on)
8. LA Ink

Prepare for Action

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

What’s Your Medium?

As a member of the church, we are always challenged to see and hear from God. However, sometimes it is not as easy as just doing, at least this is the case for myself.  Growing up I have been told you just need to listen more carefully and God will show himself. I believe this is very true, but what is not as elaborated on is how we will hear from God.

Most of my life I spent waiting to hear this very audible voice, however looking back and maturing in my relationship with God I have noticed that God does not speak to me most through an audible voice. Some of the mediums I have noticed in my life of what God uses to speak to me is through my Bible reading, music, mentors, sermons, and books. I am not saying that God has not or will not speak to me through an audible voice, I am simply saying that more frequently God is speaking through different people and things to me. This was an important thing for me personally to realize so I can be more aware of what God is doing instead of waiting around and perhaps missing what God was trying to do.

Other mediums I have heard people say where they experience God speaking to them are through nature, exercising, going on drives, and art.

I am curious to hear what some of the mediums are that you see God using most in your life to speak to  you.

Coffee Break

Have you ever sat in your local coffee shop and observed the things going on around you? I spend a lot of my time in local coffee shops getting work done but every now and then I need to take a break and take in what’s going on around me. There’s so many different people, beliefs, opinions, ect. in one small shop.

Every coffee shop I have ever been to is multicultural and multigenerational. I love this! I love hearing the conversations of those who are from a different background than me. I love hearing them talk about religion, politics, food, friends, and life. I know it may be weird but I love just being able to listen to people talk about the things they love and believe in and be able to sit there and take it all in.

Sometimes I am inspired by the hope in a conversation between to people, other times saddened by the stories they are sharing. There are times where I am intrigued by the business of the businessman(woman) or by the book the person next to me is reading. I love listening to the wisdom filled conversations of the older generation and watching a mother help her child with simple math problems.

It’s interesting to see what’s going on around you when you take a little bit of time to soak it all in. There’s many things I learn and many things I am alerted to pray for in our world. So, the next time you are at your local coffee shop take a few moments to sit back and soak in the people and conversations around you.

Half Hearted

One of the things I have been thinking about recently is doing things full heartedly. I believe myself to be a person who does a job and does it to the best of their ability, however there are some things I find no point in doing.

 

It’s in those things that I am asked to do, where I believe there is no point, that my best work does not show through. I find myself doing the work just to get it done. Just because I do not complain does not mean I have the right attitude about the job at hand.   When the job is complete, I don’t feel a sense of accomplishment because I know I could have done a better job.

 

With all that said, one of the things God has been laying on my heart is to do EVERYTHING full heartedly. Along with that I have been challenged to look beyond the menial part of an assignment and try to see the bigger purpose behind it. Just because something is not my favorite thing to do or is not challenging or creative does not mean it deserves to be done half hearted. The small, tedious things are building blocks to bigger things. It’ s in those things where employers, coaches, peers, ect. will see your work and know if you are able to handle a bigger task or assignment.

 

A verse I have been meditating on regarding this topic is:

 

Colossians 3:22-24 “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

 

For me, when my mind is focused on the fact that I am to be serving and displaying Christ in everything that I do, I find that my work is done with purpose and the right attitude and the right heart.

Say Cheese

Today I purchased a new digital camera (pictured above). This is my third Canon. I LOVED my first Canon but wanted to upgrade it last year and then my second one broke within a year of having it. Unfortunately it was out of warranty by the time I got around to getting it looked at. So I debated for a couple weeks between a Nikon and a Canon and went with the Canon again because I already new how to use it. Hopefully it works well and if you’re lucky you will get your picture taken haha!