Compare to Share

Posted on December 2, 2011 by deurty

My twelve year old daughter and I had a meaningful discussion about stuff.  She relayed some of what she sees other people in her life getting and how it makes her feel.  She was transparent and showed great maturity in her assessment of the situation.  I could relate to some of the feelings she mentioned – especially the lack of contentment that comes from comparing to people who have more.

We made an elementary discovery together.

If we must compare, we should not compare to those with more – only those with less.

We figured that there is someone who always has more and when we compare to people with more we are left feeling discontentment and focused on ourselves.

But, if we must compare, then we should only compare to those with less.

This way to compare should compel us to share.

I’ve mentioned before about folks I met in Ethiopia who lived on less than a dollar a day.  When I get uptight about what I don’t have or can not obtain… I just put myself back in that dirt floored hut and thank God for what I have been entrusted.  But then I also am moved to share and not to hoard, because everything is God’s anyways.

So, in this season we are trying to compare only if it compels us to share.

 

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My top ten bands

Posted on May 28, 2011 by deurty

I am hopelessly stuck in the 1980′s alternative music scene.  Here are my top ten favorite bands.  (I can’t necessarily place them in order, but here they are.)

  1. The Smiths
  2. The Cult
  3. Joy Division
  4. New Order
  5. Duran Duran
  6. The Pixies
  7. Depeche Mode
  8. U2
  9. The Police
  10. The Outfield

Honorable Mention: Spinal Tap :)   They go to 11.

What are your top 10?

 

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Saturday Brain Diddy Doodle

Posted on May 28, 2011 by deurty

Stuff my brain is munching on:

  • I enjoy Memorial Day weekend!  I tend to be patriotic and I marvel at the men and women who gave their lives to secure freedom.  My grandfather fought on the front lines of WWII and saw a lot of death.  I’m always amazed that he lived through the battles he fought.  He tells me that war is horrible and he knows from first hand experience.  So, this weekend we pray for peace and we remember and honor those we’ve lost serving our country.
  • Tomorrow is our final “Relationflip” week of our series.  It has been fun and tomorrow I’m looking at how we use our words.  Flip from hurtful to helpful words.
  • One thing I’m thinking about regarding saying helpful or loving words…  I believe it is very possible to say helpful/life giving words primarily for self preservation, acceptance, or to impress.  In other words – I show kindness with my words toward others for ME.  This is the same reason I hurt with my words… ME.  I require a heart change to really speak healing and helpful words.  I think it has to begin with the heart.
  • Next week we begin a series entitled, “LEAP.”  It is about faith and stories of faith.  My hope is that God would stretch our faith.
  • I finished watching the newer Battlestar Galactica series and loved it.  I was a big fan of the old show and remember it vividly!  I am also a sci-fi geek, but this series ranks up there with “Firefly” for character development and having an interesting story.
  • My son Will turned five and is now big time in Justin Bieber.  Help.
  • The Detroit Tigers are driving me crazy with their streaky play.  Hopefully they can put it all together and be more consistent.
  • I’m enjoying helping coach my son Harrison’s baseball team.  I’m trying to not live my baseball dreams through him!  He enjoys it and I want to keep it that way.
  • Our church family is pursuing a full time facility option.  I believe this will be essential in us riding the next wave toward our mission.  I’ve been praying a lot about God’s provision and protection.  Hopefully we’ll hear about one option soon!  This is a big faith step and I’m excited for how we’ll grow in our faith in God and one another.
  • I just wrapped up another year of mentoring a student at Rosy Mound Elementary through Kid’s Hope.  It was a great year and I’m proud of how my student grew and matured.  Hopefully we’ll get a chance again next year.  If you have an hour a week – you can make a difference!  Jump into Kid’s Hope!  Let me know if you’re interested or want more info.
  • I need to be more regular posting here!

Have an outstanding Memorial Day weekend!

 

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Saturday Brain Doodle Time

Posted on May 21, 2011 by deurty

Randomized thinking…

  • My friend Steve Thompson turned 40 yesterday.  That number seems so “adult.”  My turn is coming in October and I’m already starting to think about what that may or may not mean for me.  Maybe I’ll actually be able to grow a beard without spots!  Nah.
  • To celebrate Steve’s birthday we went golfing.  While teeing off I hooked a ball that sailed into an adjascent road.  The only problem was that a car was racing down the road toward us at the same time and the ball struck the car’s windshield and shattered.  Wow.  I felt stupid because I had a horrible golf shot, I damaged someone’s vehicle, and I probably scared him silly.  I need to get special insurance on my golf game for everyone else’s protection!
  • As a faith family we are moving forward in trying to secure a full time facility.  I am really excited about this possibility and what it could mean for us in pursuing the mission we run after together !
  • I miss being in Ethiopia and hope to get back maybe next summer…
  • This Sunday I jump back into a series we call “Relationflip.”  I’m talking about flipping from dishonor to honor in relationships.  This is an area that I need to grow in.  It is so easy to treat the people around me as common, because they become so familiar.  I think to honor the people closest to me is the most difficult as a result.  But, I desire to show value to them and studying for this message has been a great reminder that I’m called to show worth and value to those around me.
  • Next week is Memorial Day weekend!  What a great reminder of the incredible sacrifice of our service men and women that gave their lives in service to our country.  It also is the official kick off to hamburger season at our home.  :)
  • I”m enjoying reading through the book of John, in the Bible, at the moment.  I find that if I don’t have a plan in advance – I tend to wander through the Bible and don’t read it as regularly.
  • Well gotta go pick up the Saturday morning donuts!

Have a great weekend!

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Location, Location, Location

Posted on May 12, 2011 by deurty

I’ve been taking in Eugene Peterson’s memoir entitled, “The Pastor.“  It is a wonderful book with rich language, meaningful stories, and it seems to be enriching my soul.

All of his books on pastoring are inspirational and resonate with my deepest longings for my vocation.  If only I wouldn’t become distracted by my own ego.

Peterson encourages pastors to be local and know the land God has called you to.  (I’m also reading a book entitled: “The wisdom of stability: rooting faith in a mobile culture.“  I’m sure I’ll unpack some thoughts from that another time.)

Here is a quote from Eugene’s book “Under the Unpredictable Plant” that touches on the importance of being local.

“It is in the nature of pastoral work to walk into an alien world, put our feet on the pavement, and embrace the locale. Pastoral work is geographical as much as it is theological. Pastors don’t send memos, don’t send generic messages, don’t work from a distance: locale is part of it. It is the nature of pastoral work to be on site, working things out in the particular soil of a particular parish.”

Am I present?  Am I local?  Or am I lobbing blessings from a distance?

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