Constantly Challenging Ourselves

May 7th, 2012 by Jason No comments »

I am not sure even where I found this now, but this is really really true.

A healthy product company is, confusingly, one at odds with itself. There is a healthy part which is attempting to normalize and to create predictability, and there needs to be another part that is tasked with building something new that is going to disrupt and eventually destroy that normality.
But this also should be true in our individual minds and bodies as well.  Too often we let the normalizing part take the lead and then we are in what is so lovingly call a rut.
Let us be at odds with ourselves and constantly challenge the predictable part with things that are better.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Colossians 3:1-13

Different Strokes for Different Jedis

May 4th, 2012 by Jason No comments »

This week I sat in a training class for 2 and 1/2 days.  I mean literally sat – think about the worst conference room your could imagine, populate it with stationery chairs, a few too many people, and lectures that go for 2 hours at a time!  It’s spelled F-U-N!  But these long periods of time together with others, allowed me to observe how people approach learning so differently. Did I mention there was a test at the end of the time?   Yeah, so some people are just listening, some are frantically making notes, some are making note cards, some look totally confused, and some totally in tune.  I think it is so great to see how different we all are.  Although we share so much in coming, it’s easy to see the different preferences, styles, attitudes, approaches and skills we have.

It reminds me of this section from one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible – Romans 12

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.  Romans 12

We each are giving different gifts, but we are all ask to use to with all of our heart.  That’s a good thing to have in common.

Be strong today, as you use  your gifts to impact others,

and

May the Fourth be with you!

National Day of Prayer

May 3rd, 2012 by Jason No comments »

It’s the National Day of Prayer.  In continuing Paul’s urging in First Thessalonians, lets make sure we “pray continually” and participate in the day in  some form or fashion.  As believers this is quite an honor and privilege and a source of great encouragement.  Make sure you work in a little extra moment of prayer today – and pray about this nation and the people you come in contact with each day. Oh, and also do it while you are full of hope and joy!

 

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.1 Thessalonians 5:16-18New International Version (NIV)

 

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV

And don’t forget the rewards from turning over things is praying.  The payback when we leave our anxieties with the Christ is tremendous.

 

 6-7Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7 The Message (MSG)

 

I think today may be a good day to reap some of those, don’t you?

Butcher my Thoughts

May 2nd, 2012 by Jason No comments »

I have been thinking about how I think recently, and this verse from Jeremiah has been stuck in my head today.

Yet you know me, Lord;
you see me and test my thoughts about you.
Drag them off like sheep to be butchered!
Set them apart for the day of slaughter! (Jeremiah 12:3 NIV)

That’s my thought today, that your negative non productive thoughts can be sent up to be butchered.

A Poem for May

May 1st, 2012 by Jason No comments »

Wahoo!  It’s May Day! and so a poem:

Let’s go run round  a pole

weaving ribbons to and fro.

To what purpose do we go,

who in the world really knows!

Yes, that’s original!

And Yeah, I don’t’ really have any idea what all these May Day celebrations are really about.  So on this occasion I am a little confused, but I do know that there is one thing that is fitting for all occasions

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18

Enjoy the day, enjoy the freshness that is Spring, and stay spiritually alert!