We took the kids to a hockey game this Wednesday. We got the tickets for free from a foundation we are working with to get my son a companion dog because of his Asperger's Syndrome. It was the first major sporting event that we have been to as a family in a long time. I will treasure the memory of the game for a long time to come. It was one of the first times that I felt like we were acting like a family. It seems funny to say that since we have been "acting" as a family for so long. I think the difference comes in the heart. We "act" like a family to get through the day or get through the holidays so that people around us don't see how tenuous our family is held together. I think many families "act." Modern life is fragile. We can barely hold ourselves together let alone a happy family.
So when do we stop "acting" and start being a family. For me it comes in enjoying to the fullest those little things about life. A funny day at the park, a good workout, or a night of passionate love. All these things are themselves whole new realms of experience that we can hold dear to our hearts. We just need to live in the moment of that event. God says to let tomorrow worry about itself. Seize today for God and for yourself. No one regrets anything more than those memories wasted or not fully enjoyed. Time will come when there aren't anymore memories to make in this world. Don't regret having wasted even a second that God gave you today.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Saturday, January 02, 2010
The Bar Set High- A worry free life
I had originally wanted to write this blog on a NPR interview that I heard near the end of 2009. The blog idea was that I took issue with the idea of "the Dude" from the Big Lebowski as a Christ figure. You can follow this link above and decide for yourself. I think that we too often let the Christ figures in life be "good" men and not "perfect" like Christ truly was in his lifetime. But that is not the point of this blog.
In church today, we spoke of the things that we get when we live the life of the new covenant. One concept that was brought up that spoke to me was the idea that we are free from worry. The Lord knows that I struggle with worry. I have had times of near insanity worrying over the finances of my family. I struggle still to look at the numbers and believe that I am not one cent away from total destitution. But in the new year we try new ways of life. So to that end, I want to live a life free from worry. This doesn't mean that I will not plan or budget. It means living outside the numbers. Experience should have taught me by now that the numbers never add up with God. God can work in everything for his good. Example: My family recently landed free hockey tickets this week. Tickets that are way outside our budget, but still God wanted to give us this gift. With that example lifting my spirits here is to a year lived free from worry. Time for you to think about what your living for in 2010.
In church today, we spoke of the things that we get when we live the life of the new covenant. One concept that was brought up that spoke to me was the idea that we are free from worry. The Lord knows that I struggle with worry. I have had times of near insanity worrying over the finances of my family. I struggle still to look at the numbers and believe that I am not one cent away from total destitution. But in the new year we try new ways of life. So to that end, I want to live a life free from worry. This doesn't mean that I will not plan or budget. It means living outside the numbers. Experience should have taught me by now that the numbers never add up with God. God can work in everything for his good. Example: My family recently landed free hockey tickets this week. Tickets that are way outside our budget, but still God wanted to give us this gift. With that example lifting my spirits here is to a year lived free from worry. Time for you to think about what your living for in 2010.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Rounding out the Year
On the last day of 2009, I am reflecting at the year and decade previous. I got married, had a family, started a career, dealt with personal and professional problems, and raised children. I could go on about some great philosophical idea that I have learned, but I will settle for this simple list.
Things I learned in the last decade
1. Faith is a muscle. It needs to be stretched in order to grow.
2. I would never trade youth for experience.
3. Being a parent is about trying to do the right thing everyday.
4. Remember everyday your not a good parent tomorrow is another chance to try again.
5. God meets you where you are not in the "Church."
6. God works miracles even in the modern age you just have to expect them.
7. Random events are not random at all just God's plan.
8. Money is not important.
9. Family is important.
10. Live for today. Tomorrow is gone. The future is uncertain. Live today for God's glory by loving God and loving your neighbors.
Happy New Year.
Things I learned in the last decade
1. Faith is a muscle. It needs to be stretched in order to grow.
2. I would never trade youth for experience.
3. Being a parent is about trying to do the right thing everyday.
4. Remember everyday your not a good parent tomorrow is another chance to try again.
5. God meets you where you are not in the "Church."
6. God works miracles even in the modern age you just have to expect them.
7. Random events are not random at all just God's plan.
8. Money is not important.
9. Family is important.
10. Live for today. Tomorrow is gone. The future is uncertain. Live today for God's glory by loving God and loving your neighbors.
Happy New Year.
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