Rumbling Through My Head
1. At times I think some of the cultural hysteria about just about everything boils down to the fact that down deep people are hugely annoyed by the inconvenience of having their goals blocked. We want it our way all the time. The problem is that there are too many of us vying to have ‘our way’ be the right way. There are things that are worth fighting for and a whole lot of things that aren’t. Knowing the difference between the two is a game changer.
2. It’s debate week. When I watch these things I’m looking for something, anything that comes close to resembling the heart and mind of Christ. Scripture tells us that “The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” I’m not feeling much of that in this election season. Of course there’s always the possibility God has changed His mind about refugees, immigrants, widows, orphans, wise stewardship, loving enemies, the meaning of greatness, the value of human lives, caring for our neighbors, truth telling,the importance of humility and being quick to listen. I probably just didn’t get the memo.
3. I’ve taken to looking around the room in every gathering I’m in. I picture everyone in the room packing a weapon. You’d think I’d be comforted by the thought that if trouble came through the door all would be well. ‘Au contraire mon ami’. Would anyone be safe?
4. Yes to climate control. It’s a stewardship issue.
5. I refuse to say ‘Merry Christmas’ just to make a silly point about ‘political correctness’. And I’m quite willing to say ‘Happy Holidays’ or ‘Have a good day’ if that’s what’s called for.
6. Advent is a time to go deep into ‘waiting’. Much of the faith walk is spent ‘in the in between time’ trusting God is doing something beyond what the present moment reveals to us. We don’t necessarily like ‘in between times’ but what choice do we really have but to embrace them? In that embrace God does His best work.
7. I apologized to someone for inconveniencing him. He forgave me. There’s power in these kind of simple exchanges.
8. Hate begets hate. We forget that all too often. Perhaps the only people we should ever try to get even with are the people who have done us good.
9. Taking a stand for the things Jesus stands for will disrupt your life. And if your life is never disrupted …???
10. More and more I’m running into people whose faith isn’t adequate for the times we’re living in. There’s a next level they need to go to but don’t know how to get there. Sometimes they don’t even know who to ask or even what to ask.