Familiar place

Its that old familiar place.  I've run hard,  done as much as my body, mind and heart can handle without causing me to flat out fall apart.  So I'm back in this place of just resting within the presence of the Creator and perfector. 

And I'm at peace.  No guilt at not doing it more often, no shame in my exhaustion, but thankful for the opportunities to have been used for Divine glory.  Of course, my imperfections and sin rear their heads and cry out how unworthy I am to enter into the presence of the King, but just as quickly Christ comforts and covers me in his grace and blood setting me free. 

Thankful for the ways Jesus will continue to dwell within, perfecting me and carrying me thru being used and keeping me focused while I run.  I keep saying that November is coming and rest will happen then.  Truth be told, rest will happen as I abide in Him.  So, while I run...I will abide.

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Finding Rest

I'm tired.  it's that point in the summer really.  camps have been going in full force, I've got another one next week...not only that, the football season is about to launch and with Mandy taking on the cheer role, its added different challenges.

don't get me wrong, I'm excited, really am.  it's so cool to see where our lives are at, and how God has blessed us and given us opportunities to love on His people.  one of the things I'm so thankful for is my default when I'm tired.  my energy level started dipping about 45 minutes ago, as did a bit of my spirit as I was overcome with the workload on me for the week and rather than thinking about what craptastic food I could go consume, I thought about going to the gym for 30 min or pounding out an 8 min ab routine...this one being a favorite:

 

even after not consuming the garbage and thinking about what exercise I could crank out, I found myself breathing deep and resting in Christ.  as crazy as it seems, I find myself taking more moments to rest in Jesus, the busier I am.  I don't know if it has anything to do with I'm far more aware of my need for the presence of the Spirit then or what...but I'm definitely grateful for the presence and assurance of the Spirit in the midst of the exhaustion and massive task list. 

 

do me a favor and say this with me...no one will die if it doesn't get done today.  what a relief huh?  the more I tell myself that, the more freedom I've given myself to take those moments and rest in Christ.  go figure...

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summer is coming

As the summer draws near I am anticipating a few things...
- a sprinkler soaked back yard. The boys have been asking since that one sunny day back in February.
- a wonderfully earned farmer's tan.
- lots more trash to pick up
- the smell of the grill permanently coating my back yard, and maybe my skin...
- camping; maybe

But of the things anticipated every summer, there is one that i wished would never come. Summer violence.

We've been talking about it since Spring Break. The anticipation of bored, out of school, outside youth...and by youth I mean ages 10-25...with nothing better to do that mess around and care deeply about things that don't really matter. Which inevitably leads to someone pushing someone, which turns into fists raised and sometimes someone reaches the level of needing to 'prove' something and out comes the heat (gun).
We've already heard of rallys and demonstrations being planned to stand for peace and stop the violence; we are probably going to be a part of one in New Columbia ourselves.
But here's the thing...and I'm thinking out loud here, which I'm not a huge fan of; I mean seriously, I have such a hard time knowing if I'm supposed to engage or just keep my mouth shut. Please feel free to engage...anyway, here's the thing....

I wonder how effective those events actually are? Hear me out....

1) They aren't enough.
They are a great rallying point for the community, a place we can gather together and say we don't want anymore young men dying. But if all we do is rally and yell for a few hours and the go back home to life as usual, what have we done? It's like speaking for justice on Facebook and Twitter, and if after you hit send, your life doesn't change, what have you really done? Getting together at the beginning of the summer of after someone is shot is just not enough...
2. They aren't there.
Who comes to these events? Gang Members? Doubtful, cops are usually there. Drug Dealers? See above. Of those in attendence, I'm willing to wager that 99% of those there are not directly involved in any kind of gang-related violence. So, who's minds are we changing? Anyone's? Or are we really just preaching to the choir? Again, we need encouraged to continue to stand for peace, we need those rallying moments, but if those in attendance are not committing violent acts...has the event actually decreased the likelihood of violence?

Alright, on to my proposal...what if 'peace', these specific expressions of 'peace' aren't actually the anti-thesis to the expressions of violence? what if its play? what if the thing that is the anti-thesis of violence is peace being expressed through play? and play that not only is safe for those who don't commit violence but actually include and invite those who are committing those acts of violence to lay down their guns and join in on the fun. this is how we see change, this is how things begin to become transofrmed...when we find ways to stand with, and invite them into relationships that disarm those things that divide or incite anger or hatred.
those are my thoughts, stay tuned for more on this, but until then i'd love some feedback, some engaging, whats your thoughts?

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practicin the presence...

i've been reading practicin the presence of God by brother lawrence...this is an extremely short book, only 95 pages, yet, i've spent about 3-4 weeks in it, reading the same sections over and over again...if you haven't read it, or heard of it...go get it...cost me $6 at the used book store...

...basically brother lawrence talks about how he rests in the presence of God throughout his day, prayin throughout his day as he performs his duties at the monastery, attends prayers...the whole deal...i've found myself challenged and rejuvenated in m

y closeness to God.  its as if something has been pulled away from my eyes and ears and the presence of God has become more of a reality to me throughout my day than i think i have ever experienced...this isn't some magic book that showed me how to see God, but by putting some of the things brother lawrence did, into practice, with the right intentions, has resulted in peace that i haven't felt in a while...don't get me wrong, the heartbreaks are still coming, the frustrations are mounting...yet there is peace because i am not alone...how blessed to be in the presence...

at the end of the book one of his friends begins to describe brother lawrence and his life, attitude, actions...the whole deal.  and there is a section that i read this mornin that has brought me to a point of confession...

"Though he was indeed a humble man, he never sought the glory of humility, but only its reality.  He wanted no one by God to witness what he did, just as the only reward he expected was God Himself." pg. 84

i'm not sure i could say the same thing for myself...curious about your thoughts, comments on that quote or the book if you have read it...

on another note, i'm curious about your top-5 artists that you can't go without, lookin for some 

new music to listen to, so hook me up...anything but country, ya'll can keep that...

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