Adrian has known how to say, "no" for some time now. We have also taught him the baby-sign-language for the word "yes." Now we are trying to teach him to vocally say the word "yes." I am finding it to be a difficult task. The problem is compounded when he uses the word "no" in place of "yes" so that you don't know if he means to say "yes" or "no." This confusion reaches it's climax when you ask Adrian something like, "Do you want a snack?" He responds by saying "No!" and at the same time shaking his head up and down in affirmation!
Today I was meeting this frustration and a memory verse from the Bible reappeared in my head. I remembered it as something like, "Let your 'yes,' be 'yes,' and your 'no,' 'no.' I looked up yes and no in the concordance and I found a reference to 2 Corinthians 1:17 that says something like this. It says, "Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say, "yes, yes" and "No, no?""
My study Bible says that at the time Paul was combating some of his opponents who were damaging Paul's reputation, and therefore the truthfulness of his message, by claiming that his change in travel plans indicates his word can't be trusted. Paul says that he is not someone who says both "yes" and "no" at the same time. And this gets me thinking about politics.
I really don't want to talk about politics - except that I started this blog as a way to try to force myself to speak. I find too much safety in keeping quiet, and in the process, I have the mistaken notion that I will never be wrong. Sometimes failing to speak one's perspective is the epitome of being wrong. So, for now, here's what I have to say about the political climate.
I generally have a frustration in the process of selecting a president. I feel like both candidates are in a systemic situation that doesn't allow them to say "yes" and "no." So I find myself not able to trust either one of them - not knowing if they are saying "yes" or "no." It's like I'm looking at my 18-month old and asking him, "Are you telling me what you think, or what your people and your party is telling you to say?" And in response they are both saying, "No!" while shaking their heads excitedly in affirmation!
God of the nations, I pray that you would not stand by idly during this election. Move your hand; take action! Do not allow a fallen and corrupt system put a person in a place of power. Let your justice and righteousness flow from your throne. May you graciously allow us to be your examples of light in the darkness. I ask that you use the US political system to achieve your ends and not fight against them. We are either for you or against you Lord. Make our "yes," "yes," our "no," "no." I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Jesus and Children
Several days ago, I listened to an excellent teaching on the topic of Jesus and Children by Ed and Kent Dobson. I just listened to the pod cast by Mars Hill church again and I encourage you to take 40 minutes and listen yourself. Jesus and Children by Ed and Kent Dobson - August 24, 2008.
I could say a lot about the teaching, but I limit this reflection on a couple questions that were raised for me.
I could say a lot about the teaching, but I limit this reflection on a couple questions that were raised for me.
- Who does the church consider to be the greatest in the Kingdom of God? Is it the talented, the powerful, the smart, the wealthy, the elderly? How does the church view children – where do they fall in the list? What do my efforts as a leader in the church say about who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Should my attention as a leader be directed to those who are great by the world’s standards or those who are great by the kingdom standards?
- Who can teach us how to enter the Kingdom of God? Can we learn from someone who is young in their faith? Or is it always necessary for us to be associated with those who have experienced more or know more about the life-with-God that God intends for us?
- What tools are needed to lead others into the Kingdom-life? Certainly, according to this teaching, it isn’t that we need more information/knowledge. So what do we turn to, as leaders of God’s people, to guide others deeper into the Kingdom-life?
This pod cast was a powerful voice in my life right now. Certainly the most powerful image that was described was the moment that Jesus invited a child to stand alongside him – a child between the ages of infant to 2-years-of-age. He called this child…a child of similar age to my 18 month old son…and he said to his disciples, “Become like this child or you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” This image is powerful for me as I spend my days with my son – someone who can help me enter the Kingdom-life that Jesus is inviting us to live. It is a life filled with wonder and awe and curiosity and imagination. It is a life that is colorful and vibrant – a life of risks and great reward. It is a life worth living.
Chaotic Rest
The other day, I brought my son to the playground. I said, "You want to swing?" And he nodded his head and grunted in a way that said, "Yes! Ooooh yes I do!"
Adrian's favorite thing to do at the playground is to go in the swing - although I think he might be starting to like the slide a bit better. He once sat in the swing for up to 40 min. I would push him, and he would just keep saying, "More, more!"
So I brought him to the playground after we had been at the gym. I could tell he was tired, and I thought this would tire him out more so that he could go down for a nap. As I pushed him on the swing, I noticed that he was making the swing sway side-to-side as well as up and down. It made the movement look kind of chaotic. I thought that it was kind of bizzare, but then again, Adrian is my crazy man. He likes to throw his head into me with his mouth wide open and saying "Aaaaaah" just so that he can hear the sound of his voice change as it is muffled. He is my crazy man because every once and a while he will do this and he will chomp down on me...ouch! So, hey, if he wants to ride the swing in chaotic fashion - as long as he isn't complaining about it - who cares right?!
Well after several minutes of swinging, I decided it was time to go home for naps. I stopped pushing. The chaotic movement of the swing subsided into a slower-and-much-more-peaceful sway. Soon the swing was barely moving at all...and Adrian wasn't asking for more. When I walked around to the front of the swing, I discovered that Adrian had fallen asleep.
My thought was this: How many of us can find peace in the midst of chaos? How many of us can find rest in turbulent change as well as in the quiet sway of life? I thought it must take a lot of trust to fall asleep in a swing - you must know that even when the movement is rocky and unsettling, that there is someone there holding you. It made me think, "I wish I could rest like that in life - knowing that God is there.
Now I still believe there is time for action and reaction. God didn't intend for me to be lethargic. I just appreciate the reminder not to let all that is going on around me to dictate the rhetoric of my being.
Adrian's favorite thing to do at the playground is to go in the swing - although I think he might be starting to like the slide a bit better. He once sat in the swing for up to 40 min. I would push him, and he would just keep saying, "More, more!"
So I brought him to the playground after we had been at the gym. I could tell he was tired, and I thought this would tire him out more so that he could go down for a nap. As I pushed him on the swing, I noticed that he was making the swing sway side-to-side as well as up and down. It made the movement look kind of chaotic. I thought that it was kind of bizzare, but then again, Adrian is my crazy man. He likes to throw his head into me with his mouth wide open and saying "Aaaaaah" just so that he can hear the sound of his voice change as it is muffled. He is my crazy man because every once and a while he will do this and he will chomp down on me...ouch! So, hey, if he wants to ride the swing in chaotic fashion - as long as he isn't complaining about it - who cares right?!
Well after several minutes of swinging, I decided it was time to go home for naps. I stopped pushing. The chaotic movement of the swing subsided into a slower-and-much-more-peaceful sway. Soon the swing was barely moving at all...and Adrian wasn't asking for more. When I walked around to the front of the swing, I discovered that Adrian had fallen asleep.
My thought was this: How many of us can find peace in the midst of chaos? How many of us can find rest in turbulent change as well as in the quiet sway of life? I thought it must take a lot of trust to fall asleep in a swing - you must know that even when the movement is rocky and unsettling, that there is someone there holding you. It made me think, "I wish I could rest like that in life - knowing that God is there.
Now I still believe there is time for action and reaction. God didn't intend for me to be lethargic. I just appreciate the reminder not to let all that is going on around me to dictate the rhetoric of my being.
Ordinary Time
So what's with the title?
In the liturgical calendar of the church there are various seasons that are observed by Christians at specific times in the year. Most people know this wether they are aware of it or not. For example Christmas and Easter are two events/celebrations/traditions that are recognized in the liturgical calendar. I understand the liturgical calendar to follow the life of Christ - from his birth till his death on the cross - and also the events following (such as Pentecost - the movement of the Spirit of God into the hearts and lives of those who follow Jesus' way). However, these major events/traditions, are segmented from one another with, what is sometimes called (in some Christian traditions) "Ordinary Time."
When I was first introduced to the liturgical calendar, I was most baffled by this term ordinary time. It made me think that the people who came up with it just ran out of steam. It was as if, they successfully marked off the passage of time in a meaningful way for 2/3 of the year, and then they just said, "And the rest shall be called ordinary time." The term makes me think that the time isn't marked off at all - that it is common or plain or that there is nothing special about it. But if you read the article on ordinary time in wikipedia, it will tell you that it "does not mean common or plain, but is derived from the term ordinal or 'numbered.'" And this tells me that it is very special and cherished time. It makes me think of that place in the Bible that talks about numbering our days - which, I think, is another way of telling us to appreciate each moment and live into it to the glory of God.
Here's the short of it: I named this blog Ordinary Time because I've just recently changed vocation from Associate Pastor to stay-at-home-dad. I think, if I'm not careful, I'll start treating this phase of my life as ordinary, common or even boring. On the other hand, if I start numbering my days, I believe that I will discover that there is nothing common or boring about it. I believe that I will discover that God is interested in the mundane - that he finds value in it. I know this to be true through Jesus' incarnation - God became human, normal, ordinary, one of us.
This blog is about Ordinary Time - numbering our days - and discovering that God is dwelling among us.
In the liturgical calendar of the church there are various seasons that are observed by Christians at specific times in the year. Most people know this wether they are aware of it or not. For example Christmas and Easter are two events/celebrations/traditions that are recognized in the liturgical calendar. I understand the liturgical calendar to follow the life of Christ - from his birth till his death on the cross - and also the events following (such as Pentecost - the movement of the Spirit of God into the hearts and lives of those who follow Jesus' way). However, these major events/traditions, are segmented from one another with, what is sometimes called (in some Christian traditions) "Ordinary Time."
When I was first introduced to the liturgical calendar, I was most baffled by this term ordinary time. It made me think that the people who came up with it just ran out of steam. It was as if, they successfully marked off the passage of time in a meaningful way for 2/3 of the year, and then they just said, "And the rest shall be called ordinary time." The term makes me think that the time isn't marked off at all - that it is common or plain or that there is nothing special about it. But if you read the article on ordinary time in wikipedia, it will tell you that it "does not mean common or plain, but is derived from the term ordinal or 'numbered.'" And this tells me that it is very special and cherished time. It makes me think of that place in the Bible that talks about numbering our days - which, I think, is another way of telling us to appreciate each moment and live into it to the glory of God.
Here's the short of it: I named this blog Ordinary Time because I've just recently changed vocation from Associate Pastor to stay-at-home-dad. I think, if I'm not careful, I'll start treating this phase of my life as ordinary, common or even boring. On the other hand, if I start numbering my days, I believe that I will discover that there is nothing common or boring about it. I believe that I will discover that God is interested in the mundane - that he finds value in it. I know this to be true through Jesus' incarnation - God became human, normal, ordinary, one of us.
This blog is about Ordinary Time - numbering our days - and discovering that God is dwelling among us.
Welcome to Nate's World
When I was a Junior in college I had surgery on my shoulder in an effort to tighten the ligaments so that it wouldn't slip out of socket while I was facing off against 300 lb offensive tackles. After the surgery, the mobility of my shoulder was significantly reduced. Common, everyday tasks became difficult. It was hard to wash my hair and I could hardly put my own deodorant on. I also wasn't able to use my backpack any more to haul my books to class. So I invested in - what I can only call - a manbag. Today we might call them a laptop bag. It is basically a bag that has only one strap on it. Anyways, I bought this bag and I still have it. It has held up for more than six years and a seminary education. Throughout the six years, my wife has helped me name my bag as "Nate's World." We call it this because inside I have everything I need. Within it, I contain my world - my books, my magazines, my iPod, my computer, my Bible, my notes, my calendar, my bills, my to-do lists, my thoughts, my ideas...my world.
I write all of this because I imagine that this blog is something like inviting you into my world.
I can't really imagine who might have any interest in reading this. Although perhaps some of my loved ones who wonder what is going on inside my head might enjoy taking a look at it from time to time. Primarily, though, I wanted to open this blog for myself. I wanted to use it as a way of capturing some of the thoughts and emotions that I'm experiencing. Now, I could have done this with a journal. But one thing about me is that I have become such a critical person that I have become content to evaluate everything from afar without ever stepping into the game and offer my own perspective. A person's opinion can soon become fact if it is never held up alongside reality.
So I'm laying it out there...at least the thoughts that I've had these last couple of days. I have a couple things stirring around within me. Beyond that, I don't know how long this will last.
"Welcome to Nate's World." I say this to you. I say this to myself. Hopefully one of us will discover something useful, beautiful, lasting and good.
I write all of this because I imagine that this blog is something like inviting you into my world.
I can't really imagine who might have any interest in reading this. Although perhaps some of my loved ones who wonder what is going on inside my head might enjoy taking a look at it from time to time. Primarily, though, I wanted to open this blog for myself. I wanted to use it as a way of capturing some of the thoughts and emotions that I'm experiencing. Now, I could have done this with a journal. But one thing about me is that I have become such a critical person that I have become content to evaluate everything from afar without ever stepping into the game and offer my own perspective. A person's opinion can soon become fact if it is never held up alongside reality.
So I'm laying it out there...at least the thoughts that I've had these last couple of days. I have a couple things stirring around within me. Beyond that, I don't know how long this will last.
"Welcome to Nate's World." I say this to you. I say this to myself. Hopefully one of us will discover something useful, beautiful, lasting and good.
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