52 Stones

Over the next 52 weeks we will be taking a journey through the Bible. The Bible is not a single book but a collection of 66 books - each one with a style and genre of its own. Within the Bible we can find examples of historical accounts, prose, poetry, songs, wisdom, advice, and prophecy.

Each Saturday will be an opportunity to review one or two books. Since there are 66 books of the Bible we will double up on some of the smaller ones. We will move in order from Genesis through Revelation.

These will be the "stones" each week - 52 in all.

I will attempt to provide a broad overview of the book as well as include any additional supporting media that I might find related to the book. I will also include some general thoughts of my own and encourage all of you to weigh in with some thoughts as well.

I do not know the origin of the quote but there is one that I have been pretty fond of over the years...

"The only difference between stepping stones and stumbling blocks is how you use them."

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pss/1359407958

I invite you all to join me on this adventure each week.
May these stones facilitate your progress and bring you to new locations.

Next week is our first stone... Genesis.
See you then.

Help Me Die

Scary title, right? Before you jump to conclusions about what this means, take time to hear a small part of my story and why I want this.

I am selfish.

There - I said it - but it is true. Most people probably already knew this.
I think about me.
I look out for me.
I care about me.
I want the things I like.
I prefer to be satisfied.
I want to be happy.
I am an adult and I do what I want to.
Me, me, me.

Remember Jan Brady? She was frustrated that Marcia was getting all the attention. She would rather it were about her instead.

This type of thinking is why I fail. I must be more than just a wannabe.

On March 26, 1989 - I made a decision to follow Jesus and I chose to be baptized on July 14, 1990. I was not afraid to share at school, to spread the good news, to help others find what I had found. I remember being "on fire". I had a certain sense of purpose, a mission even. I had even went as far as applying and being accepted to Saint Paul Bible College - now known as Crown College. I had no idea how I was going to pay for it. I was simply listening to what I thought God wanted me to do.

As if in response to this - God took me to another state and within months of graduation from high school was off to basic training for the US Army.

SAY WHAT!!??

If you knew me as a high school kid - you would know that I was just some Jesus freak gymnast that really had no desire to get involved with the military. Once again, I was just trying to listen to what I thought God wanted me to do.

As a follower of Christ, I was excited but also very green behind the ears. I went from a life where I chose to submerse myself in church activities and surround myself with like-minded people to a very radical environment where choices were something we did not get very often, the activities were anything but church-like, and the people expressed a very diverse set of worldviews.

I survived, obviously, but I was different. I was trained to use weapons, I was hardened, I became impatient, and I gained a sense of needing to be in control. On the flip side, I also learned to be on time.

I still sought after God upon returning from BASIC and AIT but not quite with the same fervor. Since I was living in a new place, I tried a new church. Oh dear - that was a nightmare. As I recall, one of the Sunday school leaders told us that it would be bad for us to watch Snow White and the Seven Dwarves because it was evil. Garbage in - garbage out, she would say. Ironically, I was working at a local gas station when they still rented VHS tapes. The same Sunday school leader came in and rented a handful of rated R films. My time at that church was very short lived.

I moved again to go to school - college - but not a biblical one. I got married, started having children, and started trying to build a career. I seem to recall trying a church here and there but never staying long or getting involved. I seemed to have lost my enthusiasm and desire for it. I had been sucked in by the world around me and started to think of myself a bit too much.

God was a part of my life but not as much as He should have been. I was totally dissing my friend Jesus. He was thinking of me but so was I and that is a problem. I should have been thinking of Him.

---

The image on the left is a somewhat popular way of thinking in our culture today. I think that some people genuinely use phrases like this one to help motivate people who are in a rut of some kind and are very well intentioned.

I cannot help but wonder, though, what type of "collateral damage" does the thinking represented by this statement create?

I am glad that Jesus chose to think of us first or we would not have access to the wonderful gift that He gave.

---

I would be lying if I said that I did not think there was a place for thinking of oneself but those examples mostly fall under the category of survival. I have experienced the "dog eat dog" competitive nature of the world. It is easy to get trampled. Please don't get me wrong - I don't think there is anything wrong with striving for excellence or being the best that you can be. The issue is one of the heart. Do I struggle with this? You bet!

I later went back to school because I thought that was what God wanted me to do. At the time, I was working several jobs to make ends meet and really felt like I needed to consolidate into a single job. After my wife and I had prayed over it, I recieved a phone call two days later from a college recruiter asking if I had thought about going back to school.

SAY WHAT!!??

Yeah, I did go to school earlier and completed a two year degree. Going back to school again would allow me to get a four year degree and become a teacher. I listened to the call and started filling out an application. I began full-time college work the following Fall semester.

Oh boy, was that a ride! Not only did the school end up closing, forcing me to change my plans for a degree but after graduating, I had to do even more work in an alternative certification program. To top it off, before I could finish the program, I was called to war - Operation Iraqi Freedom.

I remember being angry that things were not going as I thought they should. I mean, God sent me on this path, right? Why all the obstacles? There I was focusing on myself again.

The war did not help my relationship with Jesus. It wasn't like there was a church for me to attend and there was an awful lot of let's just say "negativity" being poured into me during that time. I became bitter and increasingly frustrated by people in general. It was all about me and how I felt. It was all about staying alive and keeping others around me alive. It was all about not questioning orders. Woe is me, woe is me, woe is me.

I came home with an attitude. I was happy to be home but I really had no desire to be around people at all. I was only interested in retreating into my own little hole where I could think about myself and take care of me and how I felt. I did not want anyone else's input on it.

YES I'M FINE! NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!

I may not have said it but I was thinking it.

I was an ugly person.

I eventually found work as a teacher but it was a 75 minute trip one way. The experience was not entirely positive either. I was still struggling with the certification process that was interrupted by the call to war. To make a long story shorter, I taught two years full time and then moved into the technology department. I eventually gained a proper certification and taught a few classes over the next few semesters while doing tech stuff. A nice benefit for being a veteran was some additional college funding. I was given 128 college credits and since I already completed an undergraduate degree, I decided to get a second one with an IT focus along with a graduate degree in education. Was this part of God's plans?

I retreated into my studies - full time work and full courseload for two different colleges. DON'T BUG ME - I HAVE SCHOOL WORK TO DO!

Through much encouragement from my wife and softening from the Holy Spirit, I decided to go back to church. I wasn't interested in talking to anyone though. I just wanted to go in, listen, and get out as fast as I could. I wanted to just be the guy that sneaks into the last row and disappears quickly after the pastor says Amen.

God, because He was still thinking about me, because He still loved me, began massaging the stiffness out of my heart. Work was pretty good, the child count increased to five, and I was slowly starting to recall what it was like to seek after God again. It was - it is - a good feeling.

Then I get this feeling that God wants me to make another change but it involves making some choices that are counter-intuitive to our culture. I am drive farther to take a job with less pay. I struggled with this but at the same time had peace about it. A sorf of relief. I felt as if God was asking me how much I was willing to sacrifice to follow him.

Let's just say that God's path is not necessarily a smooth path. The new position was extremely painful in many ways. I wasn't happy, my wife wasn't happy, and the bills did not stop coming. I have come to see that it was not a place to rest but a place for God to expose me to things along the way. He helped open my eyes to new things that are driving me towards acts for the Kingdom. He continues to mold me and shape me for His plans and for this I am grateful.

So, almost 26 years after deciding to follow Jesus, I am feeling, yet again, that Jesus is asking me to do something. I don't mind because I know that He knows what is best. That does not make the requests easy however.


I need to die.

This is not some sick suicide thing or a die with dignity thing.

This is much more than that.

I need help.

If I am to truly follow Jesus, I need to die.
The ME that is ME. The person of the world that I am must cease to exist.

You see, I still struggle with ME. I still think about me too much.

I am selfish.

My old self must die and I must be made new in Christ. So many years I have believed but now I must surrender myself, stop thinking about me and start thinking about Him. I need Him to help me think about others first - to put aside my own desires - to be the best that I can be for Him - to strive for excellence on behalf of the Kingdom. To set an example. Model the walk.

There's a Savior that took death from me,
There's a King that demands more from me,
And a Family that deserves better from me.

It is time to be more than a wannabe.
It is time to die.
For them.
For Him.

Check Your Attitude At The Submit Button

Online Interactions

I often enjoy watching YouTube videos, reading blogs, and listening to podcasts on a variety of different subjects. As a part of that experience, I will often take some time and browse through some of the comments left by other web surfers.
It is not uncommon for me to come across postings that are very sarcastic, rude, insulting, or just plain mean. It is actually really sad.

Now I will admit that for the most part - I lurk. I read the extremely hateful and even profane remarks as the participants in the verbal volley both accuse the other of being intolerant. I do not join the fray very often.

Have you ever said, did, or wrote something and had someone pounce on you online?

Eaaasy kitty - goooood kitty - Stags won't hurt you...

Making An Impression

Well, I suppose, when people are online it is a bit easier to hide behind a pseudonym or an alternate picture. Perhaps folks just feel safer online where they can maintain a certain level of anonymity.

I am not so sure that makes it a good idea to be rude and insulting online towards other people.

Your speech says a lot about you and it also says a lot about what you believe. In fact, whether you like it or not, your speech also says a lot about your activities in an indirect sort of way. Let me expand on that a little.

Let's suppose you decide to engage someone online who holds a different stance on an issue than you do. The issue could be anything - politics, religion, moral issues, or sports. If you lash out at them in a forum by calling them stupid or intolerant, ridiculous or foolish, a failure or an idiot - pick any name or insult you like - you may be inadvertantly contributing to a stereotype against the group with which you align. For example, if the issue is a religious one and you identify yourself as a Christian and proceed to open up that good ol' 55 gallon drum on them - you represent the Christian faith in a negative light. Of course, the problem here is that as Christians, we are called to love others just as Christ loved us.

Let's just leave this closed...

A Call For Rational Discourse

I think it would be a great thing for folks to slow down and consider words carefully. Are you speaking in defense of your favorite sports team? That's OK - so is the other person. Resist the urge to use hurtful language and use good reasoning in your discussion. It is fun to tell some good rivalry jokes about the other team but there is no need to make things personal. Keep it fun.
Are you defending a stance like Pro-Life or Pro-Choice or something like that? Well that's OK too. Just make sure that you respond to the arguments and not to the person. Refute the reasonings - don't insult the other person - that won't get you anywhere.

So can we keep the discourse rational and keep it from getting emotionally charged and out of control?
Perhaps we could learn something from one another...

Keep it civil - make friends, not enemies

Have an awesome day!

Thinking About Fair

Here in America, and very likely in other places, there seems to be a really big push that all things be equal - everything should be fair.

This sounds good on the surface but there is an underlying problem... people are in constant disagreement as to what fair and equal mean. As a result, the attempts to make things fair and equal become hot moral and political topics.

Now, let me say that this post is not meant to share my side of a particular issue but to simply talk about the concepts of fair and equal.

What Does Equal Look Like?

Over time, I have seen a number of images that adress the ideas of fair and equal in some way or another. Here are a couple that I thought resonated with me.

So... same resources or same results? Which is fair?

At some point in recent history you may have seen the words equality and equity thrown around in the media. I like this graphic because I think it accurately depicts how both sides of our issues are thinking.

Both sides attempt to provide an aspect of "SAME" for the boys.

On one side it might be said that this is fair - all the boys have a box.
On the other side it might be said that this is fair - all the boys can see the game

Now - I have three boys myself and I am able to envision the complaints in either scenario.
On the left, my little guy is going to complain at the top of his lungs that he cannot see.
On the right, my big guy is going to complain at the top of his lungs that he doesn't have a box and he wants one too.

Some knowledge of the bigger picture can help to narrow down the idea of what is fair and equal.

Here is another graphic that I like.

How does context change the concept of fair?

I appreciate the humor of the cartoon but it highlights a very real situation in American culture. I believe this cartoon was originally pointed at education but I think it applies to other issues of equal and fair as well. How do we determine fair without knowledge of the bigger picture?

Some Reflection

I cannot help but think about how the ideas of same, fair, equal, equity, and equality all overlap and conflict at the same time depending on how you look at the issue.

Are these differences OK in some cases? What if the man in the second graphic was interviewing for a position that requires the hired animal to climb trees as a function of the job? At this point perhaps, it would seem a reasonable performance based request. In the end, the best animal for the job will win out. What I also recognize here is that the animals are not equal themselves - they are all very different and unique in their own way. They have different abilities.

Webster's Dictionary defines the words this way:

• Equality - the quality or state of being equal : the quality or state of having the same rights, social status, etc.
• Equity - fairness or justice in the way people are treated
• Fair - agreeing with what is thought to be right or acceptable - treating people in a way that does not favor some over others - not too harsh or critical

Starting with the idea of fair - by definition, fair is an agreement with what is thought to be right or acceptable. Oh dear! Can you see a problem here already? Thoughts are not always the same among groups of people. Fairness ties into the definition of equity and equality deals with things being the same in some way but we already have seen that arguments occur over what aspect of "same" in a given situation constitutes fair.

UGH - I think my head is spinning.

God's Word - Same For All

Enter the Bible. The Word applies to all people equally. We are told that all people have sinned (Romans 3:23) and the punishment is the same regardless of the sin and that punishment is death. (Romans 6:23)
For God, all sin is the same. The ranking of sin is a human construct. Stealing a candy bar vs the rape and murder of someone are both sin. 

I would guess that few would argue in favor of the death penalty for both the crimes - wouldn't be fair, right?

But wait! We have Jesus! He died for all sins. He paid the price for us. He paid the price for the thief and the killer. Same gift for everyone! We all have the same opportunity to accept that gift. 
Some would argue that this is not fair either. Why should the killer get the same gift as the candy bar thief? That's not fair! The killer's crime was worse! ARRRGH!

Seems like a vicious circle. This is a struggle because we apply our human knowledge and understanding to divine concepts. Good thing that God is able to see the bigger picture - nay - the WHOLE picture. 

Where do you draw the line between fair and equal then? 
My thought is that - you don't. God has already drawn that line. 
Humans should stop trying to redraw the lines and rewrite the definitions in ways that work for them.

God gives the same for all...

1. Same punishment
2. Same gift
3. Same choice

...even though everyone doesn't walk away with the same thing...

Looking for the Big Deal?

Which door will you pick?

I hope this helps you to think about fair and equal a little differently. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Have an awesome day!

One Thing Leads To Another

A Season of Thanks, Gifts, and Fresh Starts

In a time span of just a little over a month there are three well known holidays that get a great deal of attention. Between the last Thursday of November and the first day of January we consider all we have to be thankful for, spend time with family, and list aspirations of self-improvement for the upcoming year. I am thankful for the gift of Jesus which has allowed me to have a fresh start. That pretty much sums up three holidays in one sentence!

At any rate, after all the wonderful festivities of Christmas Day have passed, the next celebratory event comes in only one week on New Year's Eve. New Year's is often a time when resolutions are made. One of my resolutions, as I stated in the last blog post was to actually spend a little more time writing on this blog.

A couple of things came togehter in my mind the last few days which I felt were coming together for this post. A chain of events - if you would...


1. A Book I Read

     A while back I read a book called Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World by Craig Groeschel. I found it to be a very easy read that spoke to me on many different levels. This is not meant to be a book review but the gist of the book helps to provide some inspiration for dealing with all the toxic things in life and keeping yourself healthy on the inside.

In the book there is a quote on page 198 (*I have the Kindle version so I am not 100% sure if that matches the print copy. It also indicates location 2168 on the Kindle)

The Bible says clearly and directly, "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character'" (1Cor. 15:33). I'm guessing Paul began with "do not be misled" because when it comes to hanging out with the wrong kind of people, so many of us can become misled, then tolerant, then corrupted by those around us.

The passage goes on to give some examples of folks who meant to do well by perhaps witnessing to them about Christ but in the end fell away themselves. The message here is to know when to get out of certain situations. The book later points us to genesis 39:12 which gives the example of Joseph running away from Potiphar's wife when she made a move on him. Joseph knew when to get away.


2. A Commercial I Watched

I later thought of a commercial where one thing leads to something else in a crazy and humorous chain of events. The message is to basically not allow the first thing to happen by having cable. Instead, get DirectTV and these things won't happen to you. Ha Ha

Here is the video for you.

Certainly, I think the events portrayed in this commercial are a bit extreme but nonetheless, they do have their foundation in a very real cause and effect relationship that every one of us has experienced. The things we say and do have consequences and we need to know when to step away.


3.  A Resolution I Made

Yay! So another year has gone by. The idea of having a fresh start is one that I like to have and starting a new year seems like a good time to do that, right? I resolved to spend more time blogging on this particular blog. I have been more active on my other blog and even started a third one but this one has been neglected for five years. This post is part of my attempt to follow through.

As I thought of resolutions for the new year - thoughts of the often portrayed method of celebration at this time of year also came to mind. I really hate to generalize because I know that not everyone celebrates the same way but it is also very difficult to escape the way media portrays American culture. Even in our celebration of things it is important to know when to step away.

Some Thoughts

So I am thinking of these things as it relates to making good choices or to making some aspect of my life better - and I figure that is what I should make my post on. I would love for people to think of ways they can make improvements in their lives or to make better choices going forward. There is still time. Start by making some good choices today!

Some Questions

• Can you think of a time when one thing led to another for you that ended up badly?
• Do you know when to step away?
• Are you able to identify those things that are toxic in your life?

That third one is so tough, isn't it? Sometimes we don't know what is toxic unless we have experienced a little bit of cleanliness first. It is so much like the saying "You don't know what you don't know".

• What steps are you taking to reduce the levels of toxicity in your life?
• What are your resolutions?
• Can you think of a time when one thing led to another for you that ended up for the better?

It gets better

Over time, I hope to share with you how one thing led to another in my life for the better.

Have an awesome day!

I Just Gotta Write

Well, apparently it has been FIVE YEARS since I last posted to this blog.

Ouch

Odd thing is, I actually have three blogs if you count this one in the mix. The other two blogs are

K12 Tech Guy - computer tips and tutorials basically - hopefully some useful stuff for someone
D3 Instruction - Just started this one a few months ago and is geared toward instructional design which means the tutorials and such will be tailored to that audience

The more I thought about it, the more I figured I should keep this one going and try to add more to it. I went ahead and redid the look of the blog and probably need to work on that a little more but thought it might help with my writer's block.
OK - so that is what I am calling it - truth is, I probably have lots to write about and I simply argue with myself as to whether or not it is even important enough to share. So the idea is that it is important to me and maybe if I am lucky it will be important to someone else someday. Maybe what I write here could be useful to someone.

So - my resolution for 2014 is to contribute more to this blog along with the others.

I've tried this before but I need... to... persist...

I think I can - I think I can!

Santa Feels Economic Hardship Too

I remember the days when I had lots of presents under the tree and a stocking that overflowed with goodies. I even remember that one time when all I had was a lump of coal in my stocking...

Yes, it is true. I once got a lump of coal.

Of course, we all know that getting coal in your stocking is the undisputable sign that you have been a bad kid that year. I can honestly say that I do not remember what was so bad about that year compared to any other but the fact remains that Santa Claus thought I was bad that year.

It has been roughly 25 years since that lump of coal was in my stocking. Times have changed and so have I. Today, I have a wife and five children of my own whom I have had to remind that if they are bad they might receive a lump of coal in their stocking instead of fun goodies.

I guess I was wrong...apparently with the economy in such bad shape and with all the push to switch to renewable energy sources and conserve fossil fuels, Santa has had to make some adjustments as well. I wonder how much coal Santa normally uses each year? How big of an impact will that have if all Santa's coal stash could go toward heating homes instead?

Unfortunately, all seven of us must have been bad this year because we were able to find out first-hand how Santa has adapted to the economic crisis among us.

No coal from ol' Mr. Claus this year, Santa brought us vomit instead. Maybe it was a sick joke or maybe Santa had a few too many egg nogs before he hopped in the sleigh or maybe the elves screwed up something in the orders. Maybe Santa didn't like the cookies we left and he tossed them for us. I am not sure what all of us did that was so bad but the kids were blowing chunks all over the place, mom spewed a couple times, and I felt queasy but only had some diarrhea. Weird, but maybe there is some truth to all the people telling me to get my head out of there...

For the most part, everything came and went over the holiday. Thanks a lot, Santa! I didn't even get any Christmas ham thanks to you, and I love ham.

Oh well, I am not a kid anymore Santa, I am a comabt veteran now. You can't mess with me and expect to get away so easily. You know what they say about paybacks...

(now where is that recipe for ex-lax chip cookies that uses syrup of ipecac...)