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‘Literacy’ Category

  1. Run the Race

    January 3, 2012 by John

    A friend of mine has just finished a race he’s been on. It was a long race, a brutal race, but a rewarding one from the sounds of it. When looking at the race from the side lines, it’s easy to get excited and to feel the momentum.  It’s as if his race created a huge wake that rippled across the water and drags you in.

    Most boats, when going very fast, barely create a wake at all. They have already planed the water and are skipping along the top. When boats travel slower, their weight sinks into the water a bit and although still move through the water, do so creating a larger wake. There is a sweet spot to create a large wake, a combination of weight and speed of the boat.

    I am sitting in a hotel room, it’s 1:35am, and I can’t sleep as I fight off the transition from pacific time to central time. We are moving back to Wisconsin  after 5 months in California. Although it’s been very easy to see God’s hand in what has happened in the last 5 months, I am trying to hear what He’s teaching me. I am trying to bend my ear His way.

    California slowed us down. Slowed me down. I was trying so hard to go so fast that I wasn’t listening to Him saying “going fast isn’t always the best way. And I didn’t ask you to go fast.”  He gave me the option to sit back and feel the freedom of putting on the brakes and watch him continue to take care of us.

    I have a natural tendency to slam on the gas. I am looking forward to 2012 as the year of keeping on the brakes, of trying to find the sweet spot. What are you looking forward to?

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  2. Back to it…I suppose

    November 28, 2011 by John

    The most challenging part of doing a Eulogy for myself is to not speak the words as I want them said. I want to paint the picture for where I will go without putting words in the mouth of how I’ll get there. I want my relationship with my creator to reflect as it is meant look. I want others to call me a man after God’s own heart. I want live my life as Paul, the man who would not give up for anything, made possible by his assured foot setting in Christ. I want my wife to know that as much as I am not the best at this, she is the world to me. I want her to have no troubles, no tribulations, and want to take care of her as best I can for all of our life. I want my children to feel the impact of what it means to have a loving father. I want them to know that despite what their friends might say, it’s possible to have parents that still love each other. That no matter what others might say, they are gifted uniquely, specifically, for a purpose that they skills for and they can accomplish the task no matter how steep the mountain may seem. That no matter how I might screw it up, that I’ll always be there and always be their encourager. I want to live in a community that serves one another without hesitation. Without thought. That it is second nature to take care of one another and not only if it’s the “cool” thing to do. I yearn for a community of people that lean away from the lies of the pattern, and towards a life that is fully worth living. I want to live as a part of a community of people that know each others gifts, believe they are in community by our creator, for the purpose of advancing His kingdom. I want to see this community transform the  people around them, and create a wave of difference, as opposed to the seemingly indifference that is currently drowning the culture that once was.

     

     

     

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  3. First things First

    October 26, 2011 by John

    A good place to start would be the beginning: Having a clear vision of The Potter, or at least having an understanding of the Potter and His ways.

    A lot of very good theologians and folks who study the Bible talk about the relationship of it all. The relationship with Christ that is the freedom, and the grace, and the love that fills the hole we can’t seem to fill elsewhere. The expectation that the relationship is the same for all people is ludicrous.

    I have some really good friends. Lots of them have families and I get to be a part of that family, even though I’m not a part of that genetic family. This is great because not only do I get to take joy in my “other” families, but I get to know my friend better, too. I get to see these specific sides of him. How is my friend a father and what does that say about him specifically? About our relationship?

    As an aspect of my parade, I view the Potter in a very similar light. I hope to interface with the other people in His family, genetic or otherwise. I want to learn how God is father to them, if only because that tells me more how Christ is a friend to me.

    In a recent discussion I had, we were discussing where judgement fits into the Church. I was explaining how I see it, that all shades of grey look equally ugly next to His perfect white and that I find it almost impossible to call on someone’s sin in a loving manor. This came with much pushback, as others quoted Paul saying it is our responsibility to judge others (the context applied in this case). With tears, this person spoke of how much it hurt because he had casted out his friend, and can no longer be friends with that person. He felt God was telling him he could no longer be friends with this person, who meant a lot to him.

    I found myself not wanting to learn this aspect of this person’s relationship with God, or simply refusing to believe that was the way Christ would have handled the situation. I simply do not believe, or want to believe, that pure love includes the pain, and hurt, that comes from losing a friendship. I feel like God is asking me to start pushing at my own beliefs and see what holds up.

     

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  4. The Importance of Leadership

    October 24, 2011 by John

    The importance of leadership isn’t a new topic. Having a leader for a specific group is a necessity. We have our Leader, and as I understand it, are on track, giving our best efforts to emulate Him.

    A new topic/school of thought is the ability, skill, and absolute necessity for everyone to lead as best as they see fit. To define their own parade, the ways they would emulate Him, and to take things the step further as they understand it.

    There are some details in here that are important, but it’s important to note there is a strain, a need, to have a community that one can depend on to create and develop a better understanding of their own parade. People you can depend on to help as you scream, cry, hurt, or rejoice, love, and flourish in your own understanding of Him, and the ways he’s asking you to move forward. A place to ask “can you help me figure this out” without being hurt while out on that limb.

    In integrated communities, where individuals have multiple parades going, or multiple views of the same God, it becomes increasingly difficult. Not because “they’re wrong” and “you’re right” but because our own understandings, our own stories, are fueled by an equal passion that may sometimes be passion in very different directions.

    The risk of leadership isn’t in telling other people they’re wrong and having to defend your stance, it’s the epitome of being passionate about your own relationship with God, and leading in that way in the idea that others will also resonate on the same beating heart beat.

    I am angry at the other parades, not because I feel they are leading or deceiving, but because I feel so passionate about my parade, that I can’t see any other reason to go a different route. Why consider following Him in a legalistic way when the way I am familiar with feels so much more freeing and life giving? It’s difficult to consider that others my feel equally passionate, and that God may also work through their parades regardless of how complacent I see them.

    The best I can do is define my parade as clearly as possible, and hope that you’d join me. I would ask if you’d join me, but haven’t spent as much time clearly and consistently defining my parade. I will do that in the next coming posts. Please, post your own parade as you see. I hope you see me as one to trust while you go out on that limb. I see you as that, as well. And I need you.

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  5. The Jukebox

    September 20, 2011 by John

    When I first got home, my head was spinning and I was doing a lot of thinking. I listened to a sermon on a walk with the dog and it got me super angry. I turned on Pandora.

    Song 1:

    “Give me Jesus,

    Give me Jesus,

    You can have, all these things

    Just give me Jesus”

    I think nothing of it, start to write. Then Song 2:

    “Here I am to worship

    Here I am to bow down

    Here I am to say that you’re my God”

    I write some, reread it, make some edits, etc. Then Song 3:

    “Holy, Holy, Holy Is the lord God almighty

    who was and is, and is to come

    with all creation I sing praise to the king of kings

    You are my everything, and I will adore you”

    Again, go back to what I’d been writing, full of anger, complaining, and general pouting.

    Then song 4:

    “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee

    Take my moments and my days, let them flow with ceaseless praise”

    Song 5:

    “I need you Jesus, to come to my rescue. Where else can i go

    There’s no other name by which I am saved. Capture me with Grace

    I will follow you”

    So now I have deleted everything I had written, am going to sit down and listen, and find out what He’s trying to tell me. Seems like He’s up to something. Maybe it’s not about me. Maybe…

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  6. Tally Up the Score

    September 19, 2011 by John

    Some of the largest area’s of stress:

    1) Financial problems: A few weeks ago, we needed to find a place to live as our temporary housing was about to run out. We had moved to California with a fair amount (in our eyes) of money in a savings account. Here’s to Dave Ramsey. After starting the leasing process, we began to feel uncomfortable with the management at the new apartment complex. When we asked some questions, we were threatened, demeaned, and talked down to. We decided that wasn’t the best place to live, so we paid the money to get out of the lease. Good bye savings.

    2) Workplace stress: I recently took a new job, which moved us here to Santa Clara, CA. Part of this transition was an attitude of “he’ll figure it out” with respect to how to do the actual job. Previously, I was able to work in a very steady rhythm, where I’d be up to work at 7:30, home by 4, nothing more. New job requires a bit more “stretching” of the standard 9-5. It was also difficult to work from home as it would almost turn our apartment into a trap. Still haven’t quite figured it out.

    3) Personal relationships: Just about all of them have changed. We are growing at this crazy rapid pace (it’s amazing what moving will do to a marriage). Lots of learning, but we’re figuring it out. Our entire network of loving, caring, friends is still in Wisconsin. That’s tough, as in tough as nails. My brother moved to Raleigh, which is cool because it’s close to my sister and bro-in-law so family vacations together are easier, but hard because he’s not as close to me anymore. Turns out, I still look up to him.

    4) Health: Mine is OK, but my Dad just had open heart surgery to fix a hole in his heart. He’s 58. No big deal. Before the surgery, he sent me a letter that I would receive after the surgery in case things didn’t go well. Turns out, I’m still wickedly dependent on my father.

    So to sum it up, it seems as though 2 weeks of not posting what I’m seeing God do in our lives here in California says He hasn’t done much. When you tally it up,  I think the amount of pressure and stress we’ve been under is a testament in and of itself that He’s at work considering we are still stable, alive, kicking, and have some life in us. We’ve met some new folks, Orchard Community Church, who are of like mind and seemingly similar beating heart. We’re looking forward to seeing Him work more.

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  7. Blank Slates on the Schedule

    September 4, 2011 by John

    Patience, with God, is an interesting thing. Waiting for what He has given you to do His good works.

    Past tense. You already have it. I already have it.

    I’ve been waiting for friends, waiting for the spark, waiting for something. I have  more than a friend, she’s in the living room.  I have a friends, they’re just a few thousand miles away and a few that are just a few miles away. I have resources in the gifts, talents, skills, and passion He’s given me.

    The problem, and this is where I’ve misinterpreted patience, is that I’m lazy. If I truly believe that He’s given me everything I need to do what He’s asked me to do, then I’d better start working at what I know how to do (scheduling my time, reading my bible, attending community events), and watch Him work through it all.

    I am looking to change focus, change gears, a little bit of this string of blogs to a more positive light. It hasn’t been negative, perse, but has definitely focused on shortcomings and the lessons I’m learning, which typically have a negative connotation. I am looking to keep a record of what He’s done specific to what we’ve been praying for. If you’d like to participate, you can do so here, which is community driven content to help bring multiple perspectives to any given Sunday’s sermon.

     

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  8. So Close

    August 27, 2011 by John

    Let’s start with this:

    And go to this.

    The greatest gift given to any single community is the people. Yes, money is given. Yes, things (resources, clothing, food, etc) is given. But all of these pale in comparison to the individuals that He has brought to your community at any given time.

    This has some implications.

    This implies that model of “speak on money, and people will give” method is broken. This implies that Churches need not speak on the financial aspect of worship. Although I strongly believe this is a part of worship, the people are worth more than the money and God has given you everything you need to get the job he’s asking you to do…already. You have the money to do what He’s asking. Lean into that trust.

    This also implies that we, as leaders, need to treat our people differently. The non-church attending community seems to be screaming silently that they’re not attending because they feel treated like a cog in the wheel. They are not a person, they are a thing. God has brought very specific people into your life and as leaders, it is our responsibility to listen closely to the people around us. This is where God is speaking. Lean into that ear.

    I am angry. I am frustrated. I am seeking. I am wound up. These emotions are from what I see around me. I feel like Paul screaming at Peter but am torn because voicing my grievances makes me more divisive and not more inclusive.

    I am lonely. I am disappointed. I am impatient. I am drowning. These emotions are from what I see inside of me. I feel like I’ve left an umbrella of protection, my home and community, and the “real” world is killing me. . My heart is hurting and I feel my chin dropping.

    Jeremiah 29:11. Life boat.

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  9. Not Quite The Same

    July 31, 2011 by John

    Typically, I try to write things that will make someone think. This first part isn’t that. This is just a status update as to the changes in life we’ve undergone in the past month or so. We’re here. We have driven 2200 miles (give or take) across 4 days and have seen some of the most flat, and the most beautiful scenery that the US has to offer. It’s been quite a trip, but we made it to Santa Clara, CA. This is our new home. We’ll be in this specific apartment for about 30 days and then move to another place after that.

    Typically, a lack of writing or journalling is indicative of some lack in inner thought. It’s tough to write what you are specifically feeling and thinking about when we don’t know what those things are outside of our job, the lawn, and how the kids are going to get to soccer practice. I have written very little in the last few weeks and there’s the best of excuses that still mean nothing.

    This move has been an emotional one. Leaving community is difficult, especially when the community is instrumental in your life. Thinking about it isn’t much fun, either. I feel like I’m only on vacation, but that’s going to end soon. I am stressing out about that, and trying to embrace the excitement that is this opportunity. The mix of emotions is difficult for me to grasp and make sense of.

     

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  10. Playground Metaphors

    July 1, 2011 by John

    Steven Covey talks about the necessity of first seeking to understand, then to be understood. This is a part of his thoughts, ideas, mantra that is included in 7 Habits. It’s Habit 5, which is in the “public victory” piece of the habits, so is a description of one of the habits that effective people have as they deal publicly, with other people.

    The piece that’s missing is the framing. In what public interactions should we first seek to understand? The lack of this specific framing seems to imply that we must do this with all interactions. Whether we’re trying to persuade someone of something, sell something, hear someone’s cries for help, or tell someone that we’re crying.

    There is a rub that comes in between when telling someone we’re crying. If we seek first to understand, but we have no indication that we’ve ever understood their side, or that the other party is even interested in understanding your side, do we have permission to speak our hearts? To say “this hurts, and I would like this to change?”

    Brene Brown, in all her TED glory, speaks a key phrase revolving around the necessity to ask for what you need. To say “This is where I am, and I need this.” I am struggling to ask for what I need when I feel I have yet to understand the other perspective, or even feel as though the other party is interested in my perspective. I haven’t sought to be understood as I try to understand their side. It’s difficult because it’s an unbalanced teeter totter, leaning the other way.

     

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