"Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness" (James 1:2-3).
Change doesn't come without challenge or pain. We would all like it to be painless, but the reality is that it is not. So, expect challenge and expect pain, but learn to view it as constructive. It is part of building a new and better life. It hurts, but it is good hurt. Early mornings, late nights, sore muscles, fatigued bodies, fatigued brains, rejection slips and rejection, diet restriction and loneliness are some of the good hurts that one has to endure on the way to getting a life, but in the long-run they are a blessing!!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
GETTING A LIFE 4: A COMPELLING VISION
"For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God" (Hebrews 11:10).
There are two factors necessary for change: 1) A strong dissatisfaction with where you are now; 2) A compelling vision for the future. Without these you will always continue to be as you are. For Abraham, about whom the text was written, both of these factors came about because he believed God--because of his faith. On this earth, Abraham never found the city. Perhaps it might be that on this earth our vision for the future will never be realized, nevertheless, the sin is in not venturing, not trying. Our vision might have to be adjusted to reality--the city of God will never be seen on this fallen earth. That being said, it is also true that as a result of his vision, Abraham still had a wonderful and fulfilled life, becoming the father of those who have faith. In Heaven his vision is realized!
Living a rich life means that there is an old life that has to be walked away from! Even with a compelling vision, there will be misgivings about doing it! Do you suppose that Abraham had some misgivings about walking away from his life in Ur? I'm sure he did, but that is part of the territory--that is part of the price of leaving. It is a normal part of the human experience. One shouldn't view these misgivings as a sign of making a big mistake. Having misgivings is only a characteristic of the loss experience one has as a result of making a change.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
There are two factors necessary for change: 1) A strong dissatisfaction with where you are now; 2) A compelling vision for the future. Without these you will always continue to be as you are. For Abraham, about whom the text was written, both of these factors came about because he believed God--because of his faith. On this earth, Abraham never found the city. Perhaps it might be that on this earth our vision for the future will never be realized, nevertheless, the sin is in not venturing, not trying. Our vision might have to be adjusted to reality--the city of God will never be seen on this fallen earth. That being said, it is also true that as a result of his vision, Abraham still had a wonderful and fulfilled life, becoming the father of those who have faith. In Heaven his vision is realized!
Living a rich life means that there is an old life that has to be walked away from! Even with a compelling vision, there will be misgivings about doing it! Do you suppose that Abraham had some misgivings about walking away from his life in Ur? I'm sure he did, but that is part of the territory--that is part of the price of leaving. It is a normal part of the human experience. One shouldn't view these misgivings as a sign of making a big mistake. Having misgivings is only a characteristic of the loss experience one has as a result of making a change.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
GETTING A LIFE 3: BE WILLING TO TAKE A RISK
"Who (Jesus) gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar (emphasis mine) people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14 KJV).
Having a life means the willingness to take a risk--the risk to do good. Jesus strongly teaches that the unwillingness to take a risk is wickedness (See the parable of the talents in Matthew 25). Life is an adventure. As human beings, unless God specially gifts us, we cannot know the future--we cannot know the outcome. One of the characteristics of God's people that makes their lives different is that they are willing to embrace risk-taking, the risk-taking done for Him.
But of one outcome that they can be absolutely sure is that God will bless the risk taken for Him.
Risk-taking is not recklessness. Recklessness is thoughtlessness, as when one exposes himself to danger without thinking it through. The Godly risk-taker has thought it through and has come to the conclusion, "It is worth the risk." Former Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, once said, "In crises, the most daring course is often the safest." That was one of his guiding principles of foreign policy--it is a good principle for life too.
To be a "peculiar" person-- a different person--be willing to take the risk to do good things.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Having a life means the willingness to take a risk--the risk to do good. Jesus strongly teaches that the unwillingness to take a risk is wickedness (See the parable of the talents in Matthew 25). Life is an adventure. As human beings, unless God specially gifts us, we cannot know the future--we cannot know the outcome. One of the characteristics of God's people that makes their lives different is that they are willing to embrace risk-taking, the risk-taking done for Him.
But of one outcome that they can be absolutely sure is that God will bless the risk taken for Him.
Risk-taking is not recklessness. Recklessness is thoughtlessness, as when one exposes himself to danger without thinking it through. The Godly risk-taker has thought it through and has come to the conclusion, "It is worth the risk." Former Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, once said, "In crises, the most daring course is often the safest." That was one of his guiding principles of foreign policy--it is a good principle for life too.
To be a "peculiar" person-- a different person--be willing to take the risk to do good things.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Thursday, May 15, 2008
GETTING A LIFE 2: OVERCOMING FEAR
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" (II Timothy 1:7).
"What will people think if I fail?" "What will people think if I change?" These are questions that haunt us all from time to time. The fear of public humiliation has great power to keep us inert, to keep us from moving toward making the changes we need to make. We need to remember that failure is an essential part of growth. I have great respect for those who are willing to take a risk and perhaps fail because that sets them apart as people of courage; as people who are willing to grow. When we do something we are afraid to do we grow stronger as a result.
It is an inescapable truth that there will always be those who will be critical of the positive changes. If there are people close to you who are critical of positive changes you have made in your life, you have to ask yourself the question, "is it good to have these people in my life?"
Grace&Peace,
Tom
"What will people think if I fail?" "What will people think if I change?" These are questions that haunt us all from time to time. The fear of public humiliation has great power to keep us inert, to keep us from moving toward making the changes we need to make. We need to remember that failure is an essential part of growth. I have great respect for those who are willing to take a risk and perhaps fail because that sets them apart as people of courage; as people who are willing to grow. When we do something we are afraid to do we grow stronger as a result.
It is an inescapable truth that there will always be those who will be critical of the positive changes. If there are people close to you who are critical of positive changes you have made in your life, you have to ask yourself the question, "is it good to have these people in my life?"
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Monday, May 12, 2008
GETTING A LIFE: GRATITUDE
". . .always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:20).
The first step to getting a life is to thank God for the one you already have. None of us asked to be born but here we are. We have been handed the gift of life. What will we do with it? Life is a great adventure. Each of us is born into different circumstances. We each have different capabilities. All of this diversity is a means to a rich and colorful culture if we acknowledge the One who gave us life, thanking Him by living lives of love, faith, joy and responsibility.
One of the hallmarks of a healthy life is gratitude, and one of the common characteristics of a troubled and unhealthy life is complaining and grumbling. On "Steele's Depression Inventory*," the lack of gratitude is given a significant value. On God's Judgement Inventory, complaining and grumbling have significant value too, being characteristics of wickedness (See Jude 15-16.).
Sometimes we find ourselves in difficult circumstances--painful circumstances. Complaining about them isn't going to solve them. Rather, acknowledging that our difficult circumstance might be just the spur we need to move us to making the changes we need to make. When our pain spurs us to take initiative we are taking the first step to getting a life. Therefore, we can be thankful.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*In a future article I will publish "Steele's Depression Inventory."
The first step to getting a life is to thank God for the one you already have. None of us asked to be born but here we are. We have been handed the gift of life. What will we do with it? Life is a great adventure. Each of us is born into different circumstances. We each have different capabilities. All of this diversity is a means to a rich and colorful culture if we acknowledge the One who gave us life, thanking Him by living lives of love, faith, joy and responsibility.
One of the hallmarks of a healthy life is gratitude, and one of the common characteristics of a troubled and unhealthy life is complaining and grumbling. On "Steele's Depression Inventory*," the lack of gratitude is given a significant value. On God's Judgement Inventory, complaining and grumbling have significant value too, being characteristics of wickedness (See Jude 15-16.).
Sometimes we find ourselves in difficult circumstances--painful circumstances. Complaining about them isn't going to solve them. Rather, acknowledging that our difficult circumstance might be just the spur we need to move us to making the changes we need to make. When our pain spurs us to take initiative we are taking the first step to getting a life. Therefore, we can be thankful.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*In a future article I will publish "Steele's Depression Inventory."
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
lOGOTHERAPY
"Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2).
One of my psychological heroes is Victor Frankl. Frankl was a Nazi concentration camp survivor. As a result of his experiences in the camps, he wrote a book called Man's Search For Meaning. It ought to be required reading for everyone in a leadership position. Here is a quote from it:
"As a professor in two fields, neurology and psychiatry, I am full aware of the extent to which man is subject to biological, psychological and sociological conditions. but in addition to being a professor in two fields I am a survivor of four camps--concentration camps, that is--and as such I also bear witness to the unexpected extent to which man is capable of defying and braving even the worst conditions conceivable . . . Man is not fully conditioned and determined but rather determines himself whether he gives in to conditions or stands up to them. In other words, man is ultimately self -determining."
Grace&Peace,
Tom
One of my psychological heroes is Victor Frankl. Frankl was a Nazi concentration camp survivor. As a result of his experiences in the camps, he wrote a book called Man's Search For Meaning. It ought to be required reading for everyone in a leadership position. Here is a quote from it:
"As a professor in two fields, neurology and psychiatry, I am full aware of the extent to which man is subject to biological, psychological and sociological conditions. but in addition to being a professor in two fields I am a survivor of four camps--concentration camps, that is--and as such I also bear witness to the unexpected extent to which man is capable of defying and braving even the worst conditions conceivable . . . Man is not fully conditioned and determined but rather determines himself whether he gives in to conditions or stands up to them. In other words, man is ultimately self -determining."
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Saturday, May 03, 2008
THE WAY TO ABUNDANCE
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10).
One of my resolutions for the year was to post more often in Silver Bullets. Some times that is challenging when life is busy as it is right now. Though rain has slowed us considerably, we are in the middle of planting season, and there is much spring work to be done. This last week I also spoke to the local Methodist women about Israeli/Palestinian relations. It is strange that one trip to the Holy Land confers on one "expert" status, which I am not, but they asked me to shed some light and balance on their study topic.
As a result of my busyness I have resorted to using some quotes as I am using today. It is much like another I have used recently, but it is worth repeating.
"When I have learned to love God more than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. In so far as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God, and instead of God, I shall be moving towards that state in which I do not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased." --C.S. Lewis
Grace&Peace,
Tom
One of my resolutions for the year was to post more often in Silver Bullets. Some times that is challenging when life is busy as it is right now. Though rain has slowed us considerably, we are in the middle of planting season, and there is much spring work to be done. This last week I also spoke to the local Methodist women about Israeli/Palestinian relations. It is strange that one trip to the Holy Land confers on one "expert" status, which I am not, but they asked me to shed some light and balance on their study topic.
As a result of my busyness I have resorted to using some quotes as I am using today. It is much like another I have used recently, but it is worth repeating.
"When I have learned to love God more than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. In so far as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God, and instead of God, I shall be moving towards that state in which I do not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased." --C.S. Lewis
Grace&Peace,
Tom
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