Its inauguration day and I can’t help but wondering. Are people looking for “The Solution” or are they looking for “The Answer”. What”s the difference you ask? Answers typically take us on an indirect path to and end result while solutions tend to be correct actions based on our current perceptions. In reality its hard to know the difference on the challenging side of a problem. Only afterwards to we see what the best course of action was.
My concern for Barak Obama is that many people voted based on a deep and abiding need for solutions to the many problems they are facing. In effect, many people showed up the polls looking to elect a savior. Which Barak is not.
I have got to admit that, although I didn’t vote for Him, my opinion of Him is changing daily. There are many things to admire about the man the least of which would not be his ability to inspire so many people. But mind you, He is not the savior. And while he may provide solutions, the Answer only comes from Christ.
I embrace Barak Obama as the solution to what troubles our country, but Christ will always be my Answer.
This morning I had an early meeting in downtown Atlanta so I was on the road a few minutes before 6 to beat the traffic. Hwy 400 doesn’t really start to pack them in until about 6:15ish. So this morning I got to be on the interstate with people who are living a great adventure, people who drive fast enough to travel back in time. They are in such a big hurry. 70 mph on 400 will get you run over or tailgated in a flash. I’m not condemning them I just want to know where the heck they are going and why do they need to get there that fast.
Confession time, I used to be one of them. I guess that is what made that question so profound for me. I was one of the frustrated, on edge, see how close I can drive to you and communicate via sign language rocket drivers and I can’t for the life of me think of where I was in such a hurry to get to. To a job I couldn’t stand. To a meeting with someone “important”. To the gym. I got nothin. Those are all important but not worth living my life in the far left lane.
Man I don’t want to live that way! It’s Irrational expedience.
Some days (weeks) I just can’t seem to get the ball rolling on my time with God. Nothing seems appealing to read, my Bible study goes flat and journaling is non existent. So I’ve devised a daily plan to help me remember what this time is all about. Here is what it looks like on a daily basis.
Monday – Manna
Manna was God’s provision for His people when they were wandering in the desert. It was only good for one day and couldn’t be stored up. On Mondays I start by thanking God for providing me with what I need for today.
Tuesdays – Thanks
Being thankful begins with giving thanks to God for something. I try to make a quick list in my journal of the things I’m thankful for and then give God thanks for each of these things.
Wednesday – Worship
I play the guitar so I might play a song or two to get things rolling and I really try to lose myself if the words that I’m saying to him. If you’re not so inclined, you can create a playlist with some of your favorite worship songs and just absorb the words and their meaning and reflect the feelings they bring back to God. Here is my current itunes playlist.
Sweep Me Away – Passion
Hallelujah – Hillsong
Savior King – Hillsong
Fire Fall Down – Hillsong
(if you don’t have itunes God can still love you)
Thursday – Thanks
Same as Tuesday – can you really overdo this?
Friday – Forgiveness
This is a great day to pray through forgiveness for the people who may have offended you. Jesus said “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us“. This is a time to pray through confession of things you need to ask forgiveness for as well.
Saturday – Stillness
Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”
Stillness is a bit tricky but it is definitly a skill that can be developed. I usually do this prior to leaving the comfort of my bed. Its simply clearing your head and listening for God’s voice. Your mind will wonder but with practice this is one of the best spiritual disciples that can be practiced.
Sunday – Service
I’m spending alot of time right now contemplating how God created me to serve and I want to have a specific time to pray for His guidance on the matter so I try to do that on Sunday morning when things are slow around the house. You’ll notice I’ve clevely associated a word with the same letter to each day of the week. There is no special formula to this it just makes it easier for me to connect with God on days when I’m just not feeling it.
Well not exactly free but you can trade. Bookmooch.com is a great way to lighten your shelf of those books you’ll never read again for some that you will.
Check this out! Pandora is a site that lets you create your own radio station. You put in the Genre or Artist and they create a station of similar songs. Very Nice!!! And its freeeeeeeeeeee.
On my big Bro Mike’s birthday I though I’d run down what I learned trying to be like mike:
1. How to deal with defeat – Basketball, baseball, football and everything but Math. Mike was relentless in his pursuit of making me a good looser. And I loved every minute of it. (Good times – Wiffle Ball at the trailer, yes we lived in a trailer in college)
2. Danger – If something appears to be dangerous let your little brother go first. If something is obviously dangerous make him think you’re right behind him. (i.e. Jumping that bike over the wheel barrow – riding my big wheel on Jerry Jones with you watching)
3. Encouragement – He decided as an adult to tell people the good things he saw in them. That has been a huge encouragement for me on some of the most difficult days of my life.
4. 3 minutes – an 8 year old can only be tickled for about three minutes before he pees on himself.
5. Saying “I love you” – I don’t know why its so hard for guys to tell each other “I love you” but, for Mike, he overcame that barrier a long time ago. He tells me he loves me just about every time I talk to him. Those words from him have been an inspiration for me to get over myself and let people know how I feel about them.
6. Knees and Arms – This was an important lesson Mike taught me as a kid. If someone ever gets on top of and they can pin your arms with their knees expect to be expectorated upon. (look it up if you don’t know what it means, its ugly)
7. Mountain climbing – Ok so he never actually climbed a mountain but he’s had a few in his life. Raising a child is a difficult challenge, raising 7 is climbing a mountain and Mike always seems to look at it and say “I can do that”.
Having an incredible marriage the second time around is against the odds. Mike and Nena have said “we can do that” and they’re climbing the mountain together. In reality, actually climbing a mountain seems easy.
The truth is, there is only one Mike, and I’m fortunate to have him as a friend and a brother. Happy Birthday Bro
Some days I get overwhelmed with how much there is to do. And if I’m being honest I get a bit doubtful about my ability to do the things I’m asked to do.
This morning God but a thought in my mind. “A sling and a stone”. That’s what David had when he headed out to fight Goliath. A rock and some leather. And if you read 1 samuel 17: 45-47 Dave seamed pretty confident. But the kicker is where he placed his trust. David knew a sling and a stone were no match for this giant. Just as they hadn’t been for the lion or the bear. David understood what the sling and stone were good for and he trusted God for the rest. And to show it he took what he had, a sling and a stone, and he slayed the Giant.
2 Questions for you
1. What is the giant in your life?
Maybe its fear caused by this economy. Maybe its an addiction you can’t seem to shake. Whatever it is:
2. Is it time to trust God to slay the giant?
Memorize 1 Sam 17:45-47 and use David’s words to claim victory over the giants in your life.
Can you be thankful for something without being thankful to someone? Most of the time we think about the things we’re thankful for but not the people we are thankful to. Can I really be thankful for my family if I’m not thankful to someone for giving me my family? When you separate Thanksgiving into the two root words you have thanks giving (profound I know). So giving thanks is not actually a state of mind (thats gratitude) but an event. You give thanks (or credit) for the things you are grateful for. Try this make a list of the three people you are closest to and for each person write what you are thankful to (2) that person for (4). Because 2 always comes before 4.
Posted by richardchancy 
Posted by richardchancy 
Posted by richardchancy 
