In case you’ve missed the news — we have two foster boys in our home now.
They’re such a joy.
For their protection we won’t be publishing any photos and such publicly online and for now, we’ll simply refer to them online as N (the oldest) and M (the youngest).
And oh how quickly life can change….
It’s been a challenge – but an absolute blessing as well.
What if I told you, “I love you” every day for a full year?
And what if each day I also reminded you of your past and nagged you about all the things you need to change in your life?
What would you remember at the end of the year? What would you think about me?
Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. – Romans 12:20-21
I’ve been chewing on this idea of Obama winning the Nobel Prize for Peace since it was announced. It’s been interesting to read all the varied comments.
Especially when many conservatives were up in arms that he won it and then turned around and applauded his speech and his justification of war.
The Jesus Manifesto shares many of the thoughts that have been swirling around my head and I’ve yet to be able to put to paper – or keyboard.
So I encourage you to read his post and watch this video from Cornel West:
And consider this, did Jesus come to offer up a high-fetched dream that could never be lived up to? Or did he come as baby in a manger and the Prince of Peace to show us that living a life of love and non-violence could be achieved — and can be lived out — even in the face of the Empire?
You know, I’m still amazed that folks find my blog, read it and subscribe to it.
I’m also amazed that folks find what I share on Twitter worth while. But for some reason, I just crossed the 600 mark with my Twitter followers and I just want to say thanks!
For whatever reason you’ve decided I’m worth some of your time. Thanks.
I know I don’t follow everyone (I’m currently following about 400 folks) but I appreciate the time you’ve taken to follow me and share life with me. So HUGE PROPS to all of you!
UPDATE: @walter tells me that Twitter Mosaic only shows 400 or so people, so I’ve changed out the mosaic to my Twitter Friends (those I follow and they follow me back) — since I’m only following 400 or so folks, hopefully no one will get left out.
Just look at all these beautiful faces!
Continue reading Some great Twitter peeps
what are your thoughts?
what crisis are you facing right now?
what crisis is your group facing?
what are you afraid of?
where do you need God to show up this week?
where has God shown up recently?
This morning Brian laid a challenging discussion on us. Are you finding real life?
We started off with a look at things we want people to focus on…
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We’re always looking for people to fulfill those areas of our lives. We want to be understood. We want to be listened to. We want to be fulfilled. We want to be accepted. We want others to fill those areas in us.
Yes – that goes for me for sure.
But Scripture tells us, “For whoever will save his life shall lose it; but whoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel’s, he shall save it.” Mark 8:35
And, “Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.” 1 Cor 10:24
So what if we took that list and looked instead to fulfilling those needs in others?
Like our wife. Our kids (for those of you with em). Our parents. Our family. Our friends. Our co-workers.
Would we even know how to do that? Do we even know what they need when it comes to…
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I humbly submit that I could probably only answer 40-50% or so of those correctly for the people in my life. Probably less for many others.
Why is that? I could blame them and say, “Well they’re just not open enough. They’re just not sharing enough. They don’t want me to know.”
But I’m pretty sure the onus is on me. It’s up to ME. If they’re not giving “the right answers” then I’m not asking “the right questions.”
If we all live for ourselves and what we can get out of the deal – nobody wins. But if we can give of our lives for the sake of others – we all win.
A closing thought (a re-tweet) from @aaronaiken this morn :: Spend 1% of your time staying informed on the world, and 99% improving your world and you won’t even remember this recession.
I’d suggest changing the phrasing slightly to “99% improving THE world” but you get the idea.
What say you? Anyone figured out how to do this well? Anyone know of someone doing this well?