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A Different Kind of Change

Love this message that Jenna and Barbara Bush left for Sasha and Malia Obama, reminding them to "Remember who their dad really is".

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The Irresistible Revolution

I'm reading "The Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne. It's pretty much turning me inside out. Here are a few quotes that have my mind swimming, and I'm only half way through:

Sometimes we speak to change the world; other times we speak to keep the world from changing us.

We try to make the world safe, knowing that the world will never be safe as long as millions live in poverty so the few can live as they wish.

We give people fish. We teach them to fish. We tear down the walls that have been built up around the fish pond. And we figure out who polluted it.

The people who have changed the world have always been the risk-takers who climb through windows while the rest of the world just walks in and out of doors.

There are plenty of people who are miserable in their jobs, for they have not listened to God's call. And I would add there are many Christians who are not fulfilled in their spiritual lives because they have no sense of their gifts or purpose, and they just run to the mission field to save souls rather than transform lives and communities using their gifts and those of the people they live among. Both lead to emptiness and burnout.

We've got to unite ourselves as one body. Because Jesus is coming back, and he's coming back for a bride, not a harem.

It's like in community when the toilet floods, which happens when you have a dozen people sharing one toilet. When it starts to pour out water, you don't just start cleaning up the mess. You also have to shut off the water that is causing the flood. That's the sort of thing that requires working together and the humility of admitting that we can do together what we cannot do alone.

I don't agree with everything he says, but wow, am I being challenged!

How would Jesus work?

What would happen if Jesus took your place for a year in your workplace? Consider some hypothetical things that He might do.

He would do His work with excellence. He would be known around the office for the great work He did (Exodus 31:2).
He would develop new ideas for doing things better (Eph 3:20).
He would hang out with sinners in order to develop a relationship with them in order to speak to them about the Father (Mt 9:12).
He would strategically pray for each worker about their concerns and their needs. He would pray for those who even disliked Him (Mt 5:44).
He would rally the office to support a needy family during Christmas (Jer 22:16).
He would offer to pray for those who were sick in the office and see them get healed (Mt 14:14).
He would honor the boss and respect him/her (Titus 2:9).
He would consider the boss as His authority in His workplace (Rom 13:1).
He would be truthful in all his dealings and never exaggerate for the sake of advancement ( Ps 15:2).
He would be concerned about His city (Lk 19:41).
He would always have a motive to help others become successful, even at his own expense (Pr 16:2).

Inauguration Day

Here it is. Inauguration Day. I don't remember so much hype in any other inauguration. Disputes about who's going to pray have made this day almost as much of a relief as election day. I can't wait for the madness to stop.

Even so, today is historical. Whether you believe Obama will be a good or a bad president for what ever reason you believe it, he will be sworn in today as President of the United States. It should be an historic event, regardless of who is standing there, but today, it's Obama, and for some reason that causes controversy. It's our responsibility to respect him and to pray for him daily.

As a Christ follower, I have done a lousy job of praying for our Presidents in the past. Today starts a new trend. Regardless of the position, those in leadership need to have God's hand on them. So today, we should pray for all leaders in our lives, from those close to us to those out of our reach: husbands, pastors, elected officials, and yes, that includes the president. I would rather pray for a man who is about to embark on the hardest job of his life than cut him down because of mistakes (he will make them), decisions I don't agree with, or the color of his skin. He could be purple with green spots and it wouldn't change the fact that he needs to be lifted in prayer every day.

I'll be glad when today is over and we get back to life as normal. We have a new president. We serve the same God we served yesterday. He is in as much control today as he was yesterday. He will be in control tomorrow.

MLK Quote

“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven will pause to say, 'There lived a great street sweeper who did his job well'."

wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless

Just four words that rocked my world this morning.

If God really is all those things, why do I seek anything else? If I truly believed it with all of my being, wouldn't I live differently? Shouldn't I be living differently?

wow

I have a name
You can know it
It's been a while since anybody asked

I love to laugh
Like you do
And my family also means the world to me

As you choose what to wear, remember I fight to stay warm
As you decide where to eat, it's my children who mourn

You have a life
I understand
God has blessed you so enjoy what He has given

Your hurts are real
As mine are
Possessions never shield a life from earthly pain

As you consider your life, would you think about mine?
As you remember my tears, maybe yours disappear.

Think of me
Let me live in your mind
Keep loving me
While others play blind

Show true religion
'Cause words don't relieve
Your actions, they heal me
Show that you believe

Think of me

I thought of the lyrics above when I read this post by Anne Jackson who actually knows Kristi. I wonder if I could love like that. I don't think any of us really know what we have in us until we are put to the test. I pray that God would help me step out of me to be used by Him.

Back to Normal

Today is the day things get back to normal. Hopefully, a different kind of normal. It's back to work on a regular schedule, which I have realized is something I need. I didn't think I did, but I go crazy if I don't have something to do.

Our way or His Way?

Don't you just love it when God has a better plan than you? Check this out.

Another Day Off?

I think there must be something wrong with me. I do not like having a day off of work.

It's not because I love my job (because I don't) and it's not because I feel so loved at the office (because I don't). It's because I can't stand having nothing to do. I don't know how to be still, relax and enjoy time off.

What's wrong with me?

2009 Plans

Putting together some plans for 2009. Here are some things I want to do:

• Participate in at least one mission trip
• Get involved serving in an on-line ministry
• Read the entire Bible: Going to enlist the help of http://youversion.com/one-year-bible. I wish it had a few more features, but I'm going to make it work. You can follow my progress at http://youversion.com/user/byrkar
• Write more often
• Switch to a mac
  

Just a few thoughts.