http://espn.go.com/ncf/features/themoment/_/year/Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Rainy Days
I've loved rainy days for as long as I can remember. Not only are they nourishment to God's green Earth but they have sights, sounds, and smells that are so appealing to me.
Some of my first memories are of my Grandfather and I playing in the rain. Mom and I lived with them right after I was born so that Dad could work for Old Uncle Sam in the Marines for a few years. I can remember my Grandfather dressing me up in my slicker and rain boots and taking me out to the yard and street to splash in the puddles. He was a "hard scrabble" man and earned his reputation of being rough around the edges, but his laugh was intoxicating for his grandchildren. When we played in the rain, he was a kid like me. I think he was enjoying some of the childhood he was never allowed to have.
After Dad did his time under a crew cut, we moved to Raymond where I grew up in a house with a million windows. Mom and Dad designed it and Mom was claustrophobic. Therefore, we had big, beautiful picture windows everywhere and none of them had drapes. (We lived on nearly three acres so there was no worry of people "looking in" on us.) The house was a modified A-frame design which meant rooftop from ground to apex. More than half of the exterior seemed to be roofing shingles. It was like something you'd see on a ski slope but in the middle of Mississippi. It's no wonder my Dad loves to go skiing now. He lived in a ski chalet for nearly 20 years!
When the storms blew through the lovely berg of Raymond, our house was a symphony of sights and sounds. There is no sound like that of rain hitting a window. It has a rhythm and timbre that has always done my heart good. And with our walls also being part of our roof, it made some beautiful music throughout our home.
Summer storms are the best in the South. It really is like watching God's fireworks. And you could feel the electricity when you were outside playing and got caught in a thunderstorm. If there was a strike really close, you could taste it and that sensation stayed with you awhile. I use to take Mae (my sister) upstairs when she was little and we'd watch the storms come in from the northwest. We'd sit in the den and enjoy the show as the rain filled up the puddles in the backyard and the wind whipped the pecan trees with all its might.
My Dad and I hunted at Kings Flat Hunting Club in Jasper County. It was a great place to grow up and to learn how to hunt. It was serious hunting, but it was driven by the desire to be a family place. No alcohol, no renegade hunting, and plenty of music and great cooking. We had a simple, sturdy cabin that we lived in while we were there. We built it ourselves and it was good craftsmanship.
I really enjoyed hunting. It was a real experience and the deer were abundant in Jasper County so it was almost always exciting. But... there was no feeling like waking up at 4:30 a.m. and, upon hearing the rain on the tin roof of the cabin, rolling over and going back to sleep. The deer weren't going to be moving and the hunting could wait until after breakfast, at least. It was, without question, a gift from God.
In my former professional life, I was a baseball coach. It's a hectic world and I felt like I was always on the field doing something. If we weren't playing or practicing, we were grooming the diamond constantly, it seemed. It's a world that can wear you out if you don't take time to rest. But, when the rains came, we couldn't do much on the ball field. I fondly remember sitting in the dugout, watching the drops fall from the roof, and realizing that I have a great excuse to stop and take a breath.
Rainfall can be soothing. It can be cleansing. It can be healing. Throughout my live, a rainstorm has been an opportunity to be still and rest. It is a gift.
I love rainy days.
Some of my first memories are of my Grandfather and I playing in the rain. Mom and I lived with them right after I was born so that Dad could work for Old Uncle Sam in the Marines for a few years. I can remember my Grandfather dressing me up in my slicker and rain boots and taking me out to the yard and street to splash in the puddles. He was a "hard scrabble" man and earned his reputation of being rough around the edges, but his laugh was intoxicating for his grandchildren. When we played in the rain, he was a kid like me. I think he was enjoying some of the childhood he was never allowed to have.
After Dad did his time under a crew cut, we moved to Raymond where I grew up in a house with a million windows. Mom and Dad designed it and Mom was claustrophobic. Therefore, we had big, beautiful picture windows everywhere and none of them had drapes. (We lived on nearly three acres so there was no worry of people "looking in" on us.) The house was a modified A-frame design which meant rooftop from ground to apex. More than half of the exterior seemed to be roofing shingles. It was like something you'd see on a ski slope but in the middle of Mississippi. It's no wonder my Dad loves to go skiing now. He lived in a ski chalet for nearly 20 years!
When the storms blew through the lovely berg of Raymond, our house was a symphony of sights and sounds. There is no sound like that of rain hitting a window. It has a rhythm and timbre that has always done my heart good. And with our walls also being part of our roof, it made some beautiful music throughout our home.
Summer storms are the best in the South. It really is like watching God's fireworks. And you could feel the electricity when you were outside playing and got caught in a thunderstorm. If there was a strike really close, you could taste it and that sensation stayed with you awhile. I use to take Mae (my sister) upstairs when she was little and we'd watch the storms come in from the northwest. We'd sit in the den and enjoy the show as the rain filled up the puddles in the backyard and the wind whipped the pecan trees with all its might.
My Dad and I hunted at Kings Flat Hunting Club in Jasper County. It was a great place to grow up and to learn how to hunt. It was serious hunting, but it was driven by the desire to be a family place. No alcohol, no renegade hunting, and plenty of music and great cooking. We had a simple, sturdy cabin that we lived in while we were there. We built it ourselves and it was good craftsmanship.
I really enjoyed hunting. It was a real experience and the deer were abundant in Jasper County so it was almost always exciting. But... there was no feeling like waking up at 4:30 a.m. and, upon hearing the rain on the tin roof of the cabin, rolling over and going back to sleep. The deer weren't going to be moving and the hunting could wait until after breakfast, at least. It was, without question, a gift from God.
In my former professional life, I was a baseball coach. It's a hectic world and I felt like I was always on the field doing something. If we weren't playing or practicing, we were grooming the diamond constantly, it seemed. It's a world that can wear you out if you don't take time to rest. But, when the rains came, we couldn't do much on the ball field. I fondly remember sitting in the dugout, watching the drops fall from the roof, and realizing that I have a great excuse to stop and take a breath.
Rainfall can be soothing. It can be cleansing. It can be healing. Throughout my live, a rainstorm has been an opportunity to be still and rest. It is a gift.
I love rainy days.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Mega Voices of the Bible
I was reading Ecclesiastes 3 as a Bible reading this morning and started thinking about the company of writers that Solomon keeps. I would say that, in many ways, our knowledge and view of God is formed by four very powerful Scripture writers.
Moses gave us the Old Testament laws from the mouth of God. He chronicles one the most amazing, thought-provoking and life-changing journeys in history. He heard the very voice of God and his words have been offered to literally billions of people.
David wrote some of the most beautiful scripture ever read. His love songs to God are breath-taking and his songs of lament can melt your heart as you hear your own pain in them. He was honest with God and offered us an example of how to pray and how to praise.
Solomon was one of the wisest men of all time. He wrote of the majesty of God, but he also described, so powerfully, the mystery of God. If Ecclesiastes 3 were the only scripture that he wrote, he would still be one of the deepest and most valuable writers of the Bible.
Paul, through his life and his writing, taught us the new world order. He so powerfully captured the life and times of Jesus Christ and, in his letters, told us how life should be from that point forward. He never forgot his own sinful nature and, in so doing, he helped us all to understand our value and our purpose in the Kingdom of God.
Of course, the very words of our Savior are the most cherished in the Scriptures. Yet, the works of these four writers are easily some of the most beautiful and valuable words ever written.
We often focus on the sinfulness of these four men. Each were dreadful sinners with their deep inadequacies and terrible falls. However, we also need to remember that, when God spoke to them and told them to do important and often very painful things, they answered God's requests in amazing ways. In so doing, they have helped millions hear the Word of God and changed the very existence of our world. We should heed their words and live in the Scriptures each day. We should also follow their examples by listening and acting when God calls.
Moses gave us the Old Testament laws from the mouth of God. He chronicles one the most amazing, thought-provoking and life-changing journeys in history. He heard the very voice of God and his words have been offered to literally billions of people.
David wrote some of the most beautiful scripture ever read. His love songs to God are breath-taking and his songs of lament can melt your heart as you hear your own pain in them. He was honest with God and offered us an example of how to pray and how to praise.
Solomon was one of the wisest men of all time. He wrote of the majesty of God, but he also described, so powerfully, the mystery of God. If Ecclesiastes 3 were the only scripture that he wrote, he would still be one of the deepest and most valuable writers of the Bible.
Paul, through his life and his writing, taught us the new world order. He so powerfully captured the life and times of Jesus Christ and, in his letters, told us how life should be from that point forward. He never forgot his own sinful nature and, in so doing, he helped us all to understand our value and our purpose in the Kingdom of God.
Of course, the very words of our Savior are the most cherished in the Scriptures. Yet, the works of these four writers are easily some of the most beautiful and valuable words ever written.
We often focus on the sinfulness of these four men. Each were dreadful sinners with their deep inadequacies and terrible falls. However, we also need to remember that, when God spoke to them and told them to do important and often very painful things, they answered God's requests in amazing ways. In so doing, they have helped millions hear the Word of God and changed the very existence of our world. We should heed their words and live in the Scriptures each day. We should also follow their examples by listening and acting when God calls.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Guard your tongue!
My friends Lesley wrote a really good blog recently about saying "I'm Sorry" and meaning it. (Lesley Vance. I recommend you read her blog regularly. It's really good!) As I was reading it, I thought of my own relationships and those things for which I apologize over and over. More often than not, my mouth gets me in trouble.
I recognize that, as I've gotten older, I've become more willing to say what's on my mind and on my heart. Unfortunately, it too often comes with a price. It's bad enough that I think the thoughts. It speaks volumes about my heart. But lately, I've not done a very good job of guarding my tongue.
Psalm 34:13 says, "Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit." James 1:26 says, "If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless."
It is VERY convicting when I consider how quickly I can hurt the ones I love with a word. My tongue has become a weapon when I speak to my beautiful wife and my precious daughters. My words have become pollution when I'm at work or in social settings with friends and family. I've reached a point where I need to stop apologizing and start praying for God's intervention. Does "I'm sorry" ring hollow when I don't do anything to stop the hurtful words? I think so.
I want to be a man of strong, Godly words. But it's not enough to just filter my thoughts before the exit my mouth. The sin begins in my heart and I need God to work on my heart.
Psalm 51:10 says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me." The change begins in my heart too. I pray that the work of the Holy Spirit is alive in me and it manifests as kind words and deeds for those that I love.
I recognize that, as I've gotten older, I've become more willing to say what's on my mind and on my heart. Unfortunately, it too often comes with a price. It's bad enough that I think the thoughts. It speaks volumes about my heart. But lately, I've not done a very good job of guarding my tongue.
Psalm 34:13 says, "Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit." James 1:26 says, "If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless."
It is VERY convicting when I consider how quickly I can hurt the ones I love with a word. My tongue has become a weapon when I speak to my beautiful wife and my precious daughters. My words have become pollution when I'm at work or in social settings with friends and family. I've reached a point where I need to stop apologizing and start praying for God's intervention. Does "I'm sorry" ring hollow when I don't do anything to stop the hurtful words? I think so.
I want to be a man of strong, Godly words. But it's not enough to just filter my thoughts before the exit my mouth. The sin begins in my heart and I need God to work on my heart.
Psalm 51:10 says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me." The change begins in my heart too. I pray that the work of the Holy Spirit is alive in me and it manifests as kind words and deeds for those that I love.
Monday, July 13, 2009
"Some-Star" Week!
Tomorrow night is the 2009 MLB All-Star Game, to be held in St. Louis, Mo. The All-Star game use to be an opportunity for fans to see all the games best players on the same field for one night each year. Now, it's more about who's the most popular, the pitchers that are available, and the personal favorites of the managers of last year's World Series teams.
I can remember as a kid hoping to see Tom Seaver face Reggie Jackson, or Steve Carlton try to stare down George Brett. I wanted to know which was faster, Dave Parker's throw to home or Rod Carew's legs as he tagged up from third. I wanted to debate with my Mom about who was the better third baseman, Brett or Mike Schmidt? (My Mom was a National League flunky so she would argue but I know the answer to that one. Brett was one of the best PLAYERS OF ALL TIME, so he's easily the best third baseman of all time.)
Today, you really can't be assured of anything on All-Star night, other than someone is going to overuse the slogan, "This time, it counts!" It shouldn't count! It's an exhibition!
I am a huge fan of the Kansas City Royals which means that over the past 10-15 years, I've suffered through some very unsuccessful seasons. That also means that, if it were not for the rule that every team has to be represented, there would have been several seasons where the Royals were not represented at the mid-summer classic. And, to be honest, that would have been OK with me. I think it's great that guys like Gil Meche, Mike MacDougal, and Ken Harvey got a chance to be an All-Star. But, were they really one of the 25 or 30 best players in the American League those years? I don't think so.
I thought we got past the All-Star team being a popularity contest once we moved on from Little League. I thought that the purpose of the All-Star game was to showcase the Major League's best players for all the world to see. At one time it was about going to a game and punching out your ballot for the guys who were lighting the world on fire THAT SEASON! Once upon a time, the players had a vote too and they would reward those of their peers who were head and shoulders above the rest during the first half.
When did it become about web blitzes and Twitter campaigns? Why does the manager have to ask permission from another manager when a pitcher is 12-2 with a sub 3.00 ERA? Isn't that an obvious All-Star? Why does the game have to determine any aspect of the WORLD SERIES?! (Have I already said that it's a freaking exhibition game!?)
Will I be sitting in front of the TV watching tomorrow night? Probably so. But you can also bet that I will I be thinking back to Pete Rose's tenacity vs. Jim Palmer's pin-point accuracy. Or a young Ken Griffey and his perfect swing vs. Greg Maddox and his disappearing change up down and away. Or Bo Jackson and his unequaled talent vs. the entire National League. That was back when the All-Star game mattered. It was my chance to see the best vs. the best. And those were games worth waiting for.
I can remember as a kid hoping to see Tom Seaver face Reggie Jackson, or Steve Carlton try to stare down George Brett. I wanted to know which was faster, Dave Parker's throw to home or Rod Carew's legs as he tagged up from third. I wanted to debate with my Mom about who was the better third baseman, Brett or Mike Schmidt? (My Mom was a National League flunky so she would argue but I know the answer to that one. Brett was one of the best PLAYERS OF ALL TIME, so he's easily the best third baseman of all time.)
Today, you really can't be assured of anything on All-Star night, other than someone is going to overuse the slogan, "This time, it counts!" It shouldn't count! It's an exhibition!
I am a huge fan of the Kansas City Royals which means that over the past 10-15 years, I've suffered through some very unsuccessful seasons. That also means that, if it were not for the rule that every team has to be represented, there would have been several seasons where the Royals were not represented at the mid-summer classic. And, to be honest, that would have been OK with me. I think it's great that guys like Gil Meche, Mike MacDougal, and Ken Harvey got a chance to be an All-Star. But, were they really one of the 25 or 30 best players in the American League those years? I don't think so.
I thought we got past the All-Star team being a popularity contest once we moved on from Little League. I thought that the purpose of the All-Star game was to showcase the Major League's best players for all the world to see. At one time it was about going to a game and punching out your ballot for the guys who were lighting the world on fire THAT SEASON! Once upon a time, the players had a vote too and they would reward those of their peers who were head and shoulders above the rest during the first half.
When did it become about web blitzes and Twitter campaigns? Why does the manager have to ask permission from another manager when a pitcher is 12-2 with a sub 3.00 ERA? Isn't that an obvious All-Star? Why does the game have to determine any aspect of the WORLD SERIES?! (Have I already said that it's a freaking exhibition game!?)
Will I be sitting in front of the TV watching tomorrow night? Probably so. But you can also bet that I will I be thinking back to Pete Rose's tenacity vs. Jim Palmer's pin-point accuracy. Or a young Ken Griffey and his perfect swing vs. Greg Maddox and his disappearing change up down and away. Or Bo Jackson and his unequaled talent vs. the entire National League. That was back when the All-Star game mattered. It was my chance to see the best vs. the best. And those were games worth waiting for.
Friday, July 10, 2009
I Do Not Know
I looked up the exact phrase "I do not know" in the New American Standard version of the Bible and got 31 hits. Each one a very interesting glimpse into the story that God wants to tell us through scripture. Here are some of the highlights:
As Paul says in 2 Timothy, we have two choices -- 12If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us. Either we can proclaim Him as the Savior we know him to be and live with Him forever or we can deny His rightful position and suffer eternity separated from our Creator and Redeemer.
I often look at my life and my choices in a Simon/Peter sort of way. When Jesus met him, he was called Simon. Jesus changed his name to Peter because he knew that Peter would be the "rock" upon which His early church would be built. But he also knew that Peter was a work in progress.
Periodically, when Jesus felt Peter was struggling with doubt or indecision, He would refer to him as Simon again. This was especially the case in John 21 when Jesus asks three times, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?"
During Jesus' trial, when he had denied Jesus three times just as the Savior had predicted, Peter was confronted by his actions. He realized the words that he spoke, cried for his very soul, and rededicated himself to be the Godly man that Jesus intended him to be. It was not enough for him the redact his words or apologize for them. He took it as a soulful lesson. He knew that, if he is to be the man that God designed him to be and do the work that Jesus had commissioned him to do, he must never deny his Master again.
It is a lesson for us all.
- The first time the phrase is uttered occurs in Genesis 4 after God asks Cain about Abel's where abouts. 9Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"
- In Exodus 5, Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh and tell him that God demands he let His people go so that they may hold a feast in His honor in the wilderness. Pharaoh replies in the negative. 2But Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and besides, I will not let Israel go."
- In Matthew 26, which is perhaps the most well-known "I do not know" moment, Peter denies Jesus three times, just as the Savior told him he would during the Last Supper. 74Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed.
As Paul says in 2 Timothy, we have two choices -- 12If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us. Either we can proclaim Him as the Savior we know him to be and live with Him forever or we can deny His rightful position and suffer eternity separated from our Creator and Redeemer.
I often look at my life and my choices in a Simon/Peter sort of way. When Jesus met him, he was called Simon. Jesus changed his name to Peter because he knew that Peter would be the "rock" upon which His early church would be built. But he also knew that Peter was a work in progress.
Periodically, when Jesus felt Peter was struggling with doubt or indecision, He would refer to him as Simon again. This was especially the case in John 21 when Jesus asks three times, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?"
During Jesus' trial, when he had denied Jesus three times just as the Savior had predicted, Peter was confronted by his actions. He realized the words that he spoke, cried for his very soul, and rededicated himself to be the Godly man that Jesus intended him to be. It was not enough for him the redact his words or apologize for them. He took it as a soulful lesson. He knew that, if he is to be the man that God designed him to be and do the work that Jesus had commissioned him to do, he must never deny his Master again.
It is a lesson for us all.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
In memory of...
I'm growing weary of the ongoing Michael Jackson saga. It should probably end today with the memorial service in LA, but will it?
Don't get me wrong, I came to this very site and offered my thoughts about Michael and Farrah as soon as I could. They each held a very special place in my youth. However, from that point forward, their "memorial" paths were very divergent. Farrah's arrangements have been very quiet, private, and appropriate. Michael's has been more for TMZ and Entertainment Tonight than for his family and friends. Why?
He spent nearly his entire adult life being sheltered from the public. Why is this part of his life being laid open for the whole world to see? I guess his fans assume some personal relationship because we all enjoyed his gift. Yet, some worshiped him as some kind of diety that they feel entitled to be a part of his send-off. I think that's sad. Sad for the fans and, most of all, sad for the family. At a point where they probably want to be allowed to grieve in private, they have to share the moment with the world.
Don't get me wrong, I came to this very site and offered my thoughts about Michael and Farrah as soon as I could. They each held a very special place in my youth. However, from that point forward, their "memorial" paths were very divergent. Farrah's arrangements have been very quiet, private, and appropriate. Michael's has been more for TMZ and Entertainment Tonight than for his family and friends. Why?
He spent nearly his entire adult life being sheltered from the public. Why is this part of his life being laid open for the whole world to see? I guess his fans assume some personal relationship because we all enjoyed his gift. Yet, some worshiped him as some kind of diety that they feel entitled to be a part of his send-off. I think that's sad. Sad for the fans and, most of all, sad for the family. At a point where they probably want to be allowed to grieve in private, they have to share the moment with the world.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
1 Cor. 16:13
"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." - 1 Cor. 16:13
I hear this scripture nearly every week. It's the theme of the men's group I enjoy every Thursday morning at the CellularSouth Building in Ridgeland. But what does it mean to act like men?
Our culture tells us that men are strong, reliable, and tough breadwinners that play hard, work hard and, in many cases, live hard. Today's man is told that he's the only friend he needs. He's out to please himself and find his own pleasure. He has all the tools he needs to have a great life. He just needs to use them. He is the master of his own universe.
So, when a man of today becomes a man of God, what do you think he does? When he hears and reads "...but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body" (Romans 8:13), what is his next step? He makes a "To Kill" list of sins and immoral behaviors and gets busy. Where's the error it that?
Look at the scripture above, again. Focus on the second phrase because it's often overlooked when men read this passage. We go straight to the end and see "be strong". The second phrase says, "stand firm in the faith". Faith in what? Who? Jesus Christ, of course. It's a simple thought but it's so overlooked by today's man attempting to journey with God. I know because I do it all the time.
I so easy default to having faith in my own abilities, strengths and intestinal fortitude. I'm so hesitant to drop my hands, bow my head, and pray that God takes hold of my circumstance and shapes the God-made creature that I am. If it's sin that's getting in my way, I'm ready to get out the axe and chop it down by using my own will and my own strength. Yet, it never seems to workout that way.
Likewise, when I face a test or crisis, I fight like hell to break out of the "net" that has me trapped. I'm ready to scrap with anything or anyone that's causing me pain and discomfort. Instead, In both situations, I should "be still and know" that He is God (Psalm 46:10).
To me, "be still" means to stop, take a deep breath, and just talk to God. It doesn't mean give up on redemption or growth. It doesn't mean give in to the sin that continues to tempt me. I think it means that I need to listen to the message that He's delivering in that moment and seek His purpose in the crisis.
It's so easy to say but so hard to do. It takes a real man to know that he is led by his Creator and Master. It takes a real man to stand firm in his faith in the one true God and Savior. When a man lives his life that way, he's no longer acting like a man. He is one.
I hear this scripture nearly every week. It's the theme of the men's group I enjoy every Thursday morning at the CellularSouth Building in Ridgeland. But what does it mean to act like men?
Our culture tells us that men are strong, reliable, and tough breadwinners that play hard, work hard and, in many cases, live hard. Today's man is told that he's the only friend he needs. He's out to please himself and find his own pleasure. He has all the tools he needs to have a great life. He just needs to use them. He is the master of his own universe.
So, when a man of today becomes a man of God, what do you think he does? When he hears and reads "...but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body" (Romans 8:13), what is his next step? He makes a "To Kill" list of sins and immoral behaviors and gets busy. Where's the error it that?
Look at the scripture above, again. Focus on the second phrase because it's often overlooked when men read this passage. We go straight to the end and see "be strong". The second phrase says, "stand firm in the faith". Faith in what? Who? Jesus Christ, of course. It's a simple thought but it's so overlooked by today's man attempting to journey with God. I know because I do it all the time.
I so easy default to having faith in my own abilities, strengths and intestinal fortitude. I'm so hesitant to drop my hands, bow my head, and pray that God takes hold of my circumstance and shapes the God-made creature that I am. If it's sin that's getting in my way, I'm ready to get out the axe and chop it down by using my own will and my own strength. Yet, it never seems to workout that way.
Likewise, when I face a test or crisis, I fight like hell to break out of the "net" that has me trapped. I'm ready to scrap with anything or anyone that's causing me pain and discomfort. Instead, In both situations, I should "be still and know" that He is God (Psalm 46:10).
To me, "be still" means to stop, take a deep breath, and just talk to God. It doesn't mean give up on redemption or growth. It doesn't mean give in to the sin that continues to tempt me. I think it means that I need to listen to the message that He's delivering in that moment and seek His purpose in the crisis.
It's so easy to say but so hard to do. It takes a real man to know that he is led by his Creator and Master. It takes a real man to stand firm in his faith in the one true God and Savior. When a man lives his life that way, he's no longer acting like a man. He is one.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
New fiscal year!
The 2009 Mississippi Legislative Session was very enlightening for me. In my 10+ years at the Medical Center, we had budget worries. However, in retrospect, we seemed pretty insulated. Maybe it was patient fees or research-generated funding or fund-raising efforts, but we had other sources of income that could offset when appropriations were low.
Here at Archives & History, we are intimately dependent on our appropriations and I could feel the worry about it. True, this was a VERY unique year when it comes to the budget process. It seems, though, that the state agencies and the people we serve were put through the ringer. I won't debate whether it was justified or not (maybe another blog topic), but it was a tough process that I hope we don't have to experience each year.
It's a new budget year and I hope it's a successful, fruitful one. I don't think any of us want to live through another one like 08-09 anytime soon.
Here at Archives & History, we are intimately dependent on our appropriations and I could feel the worry about it. True, this was a VERY unique year when it comes to the budget process. It seems, though, that the state agencies and the people we serve were put through the ringer. I won't debate whether it was justified or not (maybe another blog topic), but it was a tough process that I hope we don't have to experience each year.
It's a new budget year and I hope it's a successful, fruitful one. I don't think any of us want to live through another one like 08-09 anytime soon.
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