Food For Thought- Sometimes...Not Always

Picture from churchart.com

Sometimes but not always we need to let our brains shut out the stresses of life. I say sometimes but not always because never letting yourself become at least a little stressed is just as bad as being overly stressed all the time (at least in my book).

Sometimes we need to take a step back. Sometimes we need to turn off our phones, our computers, and our television sets and just be. Sometimes we need to walk away. Sometimes we need to not think or plan or do but we just need to be.

Now “just being” can sometimes but not always be just as stressful as all the stresses of life. Our mind wonders back to the things we shut off. We want to look at the text messages and phone calls we are ignoring, the Facebook updates we have missed, and the ridiculous commercials and reality TV we miss when we shut off and disconnect. We don’t want to just look at them we also want to respond.

Sometimes not always maybe the world doesn’t need to hear/read what we have to say. Sometimes not always maybe we should be more intentional in telling people we need to disengage for a while, because then they won’t be so concerned when it takes us longer than 30seconds to respond to them.

Sometimes…we HAVE to be still.

Comments

Changing of the Seasons

"I don't like this cold..." SERIOUSLY not even two weeks ago some of the same people who are saying this were more recently saying "I can't stand this heat, I wish it was cooler." You got your wish, quit complaining! Why is it we are never happy in the moment? It is too hot, too cold, too boring, too silly, too dry, too wet, too overwhelming, not overwhelming enough...the list continues. As I sit in my office this afternoon, reflecting on the past few week's events (funerals, Sunday school starting, children and youth activities starting, countless meetings, and moments(very few moments) of silence) I hear in the back of my mind a voice not my own reciting the beginning of Ecclesiastes 3 1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break do...

Almost Back to Reality

In this final few days of sabbatical as I begin to re-enter “the real world”, I want to thank each of you who have prayed for and with me over these almost 60 days. I have spent time over these past two months reflecting on eleven years of ministry and know that God continues to call me to this extraordinarily beautiful life with all of the highs and lows of working with, living with, and loving Gods people. I am looking forward to these last few days however my heart and soul are ready to be back with the wonderful people of First Christian Church and Oskaloosa! See you very soon. Week Nine Hope for the week: I hope the people I have been away from are as excited to see me as I am to see them! Is there an Answer (last week’s question): How many pages will I write for my devotion/resource? It is hard to say how many pages have been written, however I made progress in outline, structure, and worship ideas. Question of the Week:...

Words from the Board...Bulletin Board that is

I have a bulletin board hanging on my office wall; it has various things thumb tacked to it. At some point each of the things hanging there were important to me. I suppose since they are still hanging there even after making a 740 mile move cross country, they are still important. The things hanging on this board vary in shape, size, meaning, and appearance. A Chalice sun catcher, a map of the church, several cards from family and friends, a picture of my paternal grandparents in front of the "Arc de Triumph" during WWII, my father’s obituary, the preaching schedule, and a couple crosses…just to name a few. When I am sitting at my desk, this bulletin board is on my left; every time I glance at it the same thing catches my eye. I am always drawn to the same card. I believe I received this card at my Ordination and if memory serves I received three or four of this same card that day. The card reads; “Be who you are. Do what you love. Make a difference. Change the world.” ...

Braving The Waters

Search This Blog