Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. I trust in You, my God! Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord Point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You. Remember O Lord your unfailing love and compassion which you have shown from long ages past. Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth…Archive for June, 2008
ever thought of carpooling?
I’m out in Chesterfield and drive into downtown Richmond … it’s only 10 miles one way and I’m fairly close (I take Rt.360/Hull St Rd the way in from Rt. 150/Chippenham Pkwy), and I work at 14th and Franklin.
If you’ve wondered but never looked into it, read about the benefits or calculate the financial savings.
Anyone out my way ever wonder about carpooling? I work with two who live fairly good distance further out on Hull St Rd – one takes the bus in (which I could try).
Point-In-Time Count Summer 2008!
Homeward is conducting this survey July 24th! From their site:
This annual count of men, women and children experiencing homelessness will need volunteers to help in many ways including to conduct the surveys. To sign up to volunteer for the Summer 2008 Point-in-Time Count, please click here.
Donations needed: socks, white t-shirts, new underwear (men’s and women’s), lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs and brushes, lip balm, baby wipes, sunscreen, deodorants.
Please bring donations to 408 W Franklin Street — Basement level by July 18, 2008.
[H/T to Embrace Richmond]
Not sure if I’ll be there, but I definitely plan on mentioning it to a few people I know who are concerned and interested about the homeless around Richmond. I’d like to see again some of the guys and gals I’ve met and see how they are doing…
finding your S.H.A.P.E.
Have you been through this before? A week ago I went to this 401 class which is all about identifying your S.H.A.P.E.:
- spiritual gifts
- heart
- abilities
- personality
- experiences
I won’t go into all of the results, just a few that I thought were interesting.
The personality test was based on “Wired that Way” (I don’t really see a lot written about this online other than this which includes a chart!); think something like the Myers-Briggs test but simplified. I strongly matched Melancholy, with a subset of that personality’s strengths include:
deep and thoughtful, analytical, serious and purposeful, idealistic, schedule-oriented, perfectionist, high standards, orderly and organized, needs to finish what he starts, faithful and devoted, deep concern for other people, avoids causing attention.
Some melancholy weaknesses include:
moody and depressed, off in another world, has selective hearing, too introspective, guilt feelings, low self-image, depressed over imperfections, chooses difficult work, spends too much time planning, standards often too high,deep need for approval, critical of others, insecure socialy, unforgiving, skeptical of compliments.
The other facet that was interesting was the spiritual gifts. It was a bit challenging to go over, especially since it seemed like the assessment was geared towards having several experiences already. Some I’m just now getting into, and accordingly didn’t rate as high. In particular a friend thinks I may be suited for – shepherding only got ranked as #4. So what were the top gifts then? In order:
- Service (13 pts) – ‘recognize and meet needs through prompt, cheerful, practical assistance’
- Wisdom (9 pts) – ‘discover and apply God’s truth in specific circumstances or problems’
- Administration (8 pts) – ‘organize and guide human activities in such a way that Christ’s program is carried out’
- Giving (8 pts) – ’support the Lord’s work materially with generous, timely and cheerful contributions’
- Shepherding (7 pts) – ‘oversee the lives of others in order to nurture and care for their spiritual development’
Then yesterday I read a Letters from Kamp Krusty post – ‘Ministry without the People’. And a few things in there just really told me that hey, maybe that’s you. “Ministry is loving people you didn’t handpick.” I think of the homeless in particular, and some others also that it seems other don’t want to care about anymore either.
Though when I check out wikipedia:
A shepherd is a person who tends to, feeds, or guards sheep, especially in flocks. The word may also refer to one who provides religious guidance, as a pastor.
I’m not sure if I’m all into being “one who provides religious guidance”…
So here’s my question to you, dear Reader, what’s your SHAPE? I don’t care that much if you happened to take this same personality test, or the Myers-Briggs test, or whatever.
abundant life
We skipped the growth group (read prior posts I and II) last week because I was involved in a meeting with Peace In The Home… but last night we met, and a new guy came. I won’t go into that much detail, but want to say how amazing God can be with timing. I know this guy from a bible study at work, and have been thinking about him and maybe wanting to come since he lives close to me and his church family is a far bit east of town… Well, I finally decide to email him yesterday at lunch, and before I do, call and check with my pastor and he mentions this guy’s name as being interested. God’s timing is simply amazing. You know that phrase, ‘God is good’? Yeah something like that.
I so had started writing a bit about the John 10:10 verse where Jesus talks about why He came – so that we may have life and have it abundantly. But I’ve decided not to go that route. I’ll just leave it at that. I want God to fill my life with Him. Less of me, more of others (specifically being my wife, my kids, these guys, the homeless, our small group, our larger family). Let me repeat – less of me.
This growth group is, obviously, supposed to be about growth. Something hit me last night in the middle of one of our conversations that even though we talk about each of growing spiritually, a big part of me thinks about that being in knowledge and wisdom. But what it seems I really need isn’t that – but to grow closer to God. Wherever I might stand with “knowledge” or “wisdom” I want to be close to God. Knowledge or wisdom isn’t what has shown me that life is more than I had previously thought, it has been God. I want more of that.
BTW – I think fellowship is three guys sitting on the back deck at night with a bunch of tiki torches and a few citronella candles really talk openly about life. Now if only I had a picture to show you… oh well, use your imagination.
who’s been loving the heat?
Weather has been a doozy here on the East Coast for a week or so, until this morning when it finally cooled off due to scattered rain last night. Temperatures without factoring the heat index of around 103 degrees (F in case anyone reads this that may be thinking temp in Celsius…). At least in my neighborhood it is so wooded that usually it’s about 5-10 degrees cooler, but still quite hot. High humidity as well, so with the heat index it’s just insane. I’ve taken the heat before and managed, but man it was hot. And I just haven’t gotten around to getting my car’s A/C fixed, so it’s really noticeable when driving. I think it’s mid 90s today though … much better.
NOTE: Bear with me, I’m going to be a little more long-winded for this one!
I’ve just started reading the book of Job, and here’s this guy who all his livestock stolen, farmhands and servants killed, and sons and daughters dead from a storm knocking down a house. And you thought the heat was unbearable huh? So what does this guy Job say?
I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and I will be stripped of everything when I die.
The Lord gave me everything I had,
and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!
That’s quite a low spot, and he doesn’t blame God? Hmm. Now one could take this two ways, and think as someone who believes in a God and someone that doesn’t, but I’m not going to consider the second – just as someone who believes in a God. It seems really really easy and definitely expected to praise God when we’re at a high in life – you know, blessed with a house, blessed with kids, a wife, a job, fun times, friends, family, etc. Pretty much 99% of those who may come across this post – you’re blessed in numerous ways (but maybe not all). And I’m betting in your prayers that you thank God for at least some of these blessings.
But let’s say you’re wife leaves you, something unexpected happens and a child dies, you get in a car wreck and become disabled. What says you then? I have no room to even guess what that may be like. I have family in dire straits and very hard times that I talk to frequently, but I’m quick to point out I have no clue what it must be like. Will you praise God?
Consider this verse:
But Job replied, “You talk like a godless woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.
Is God good? Well duh of course – I sure wouldn’t believe in my God if he wasn’t good! But the question is – why do we have bad things happen? Personally I don’t really have much of a clue on this topic, but I do happen to know a guy and we had a pretty lengthy conversation over it, which just so happens to be over this topic. Here are my ‘notes’ if you will (feel in any blanks please Tim!):
- We sometimes cause pain on ourselves.
- sometimes God uses pain/illness to serve a purpose.
- sometimes God uses pain/illness to bring Him glory.
This person mentioned a book by C.S. Lewis “The problem of Pain” as something to consider if you haven’t read it. He talked about some scripture from Job and Ezekiel that I can’t fully recall, but now that I am looking through Job, I see a section in my Bible (not part of scripture – just the notes below) titled “When we suffer” with 6 questions to ask ourselves when we suffer, and what to do if the answer is yes:
Q: am I being punished by God for sin?
A: confess known sinQ: is Satan attacking me as I try to survive as a Christian?
A: call on God for strengthQ: am I being prepared for a special service, learning to be compassionate to those who suffer?
A: accept help from the body of believers; trust God to work his purpose through youQ: is my suffering a result of natural consequences for which I am not directly responsible?
A: recognize that in a sinful world, both good and evil people will suffer; but the good person has a promise from God that his/her suffering will one day come to an end.Q: is my suffering due to some unknown reason?
A: don’t draw inward from the pain; proclaim your faith in God, know that he cares and wait patiently for his aid.
What I find interesting is that a lot of times when I’ve been at a low point in my life, I’m totally thinking why God? Why me? What did I do? But when I’m down visiting and maybe sharing some stuff with the homeless, they will be quick to praise God. Might be living by the river, or in an abandoned home, or sleeping in a park, but they praise God. Don’t get me wrong – not everyone I’ve met does; many feel they have no hope. But some really are an inspiration with their faith in their God.
From this somewhat-related post – Joyful Even On a Crappy Day:
What is it that you are going through that you have seen no way to be joyful through? Remember that as Jesus carried the cross He counted it all as joy to do the will of His Father. I don’t think any of us has ever literally carried the weight of the world on our shoulders as He did, nor will we ever. Shouldn’t we be able to be joyful regardless of what we are going through?
What’s funny is that when I was a kid I lived in the DFW metroplex in Texas, and had weather like this all summer long – humidity and everything. It didn’t bother me that much. And like the weather, it seems kids have the ability to have faith in things unseen. I guess that’s why we need to become like little children, huh?
