When you think the bad times can't pass quickly enough, or you can't hold on any longer...just remember the last time a week flew by and you went 'it's Monday again?!' or how one day you woke up and your baby turned 5...or 16...or 30. Embrace what you're given. Don't wish time away. You're only give this one life, and there is a time for every thing. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.
Now, go enjoy that weekend that just showed up. :)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
C. Stan is the man
Generally, if I find something worth sharing...I will. The following is from Charles Stanley and InTouch Ministry, a mailing I get called "The Pastor's Heart":
"Hold on to God. No matter what happens or how discouraging your situation may become, never stop clinging to the Lord. He is faithful, and He will most certainly keep you. Keep trusting Him--regardless of how your circumstances appear.
I write this to you today because all of us have walked through valleys at one time or another in life. Each of us has wept over difficulties and struggles we thought we couldn't survive. We lay awake at night, wondering, "God, what am I going to do? I don't know how to go on." We're not sure how to face the decisions and consequences that will come. The pain and emptiness overwhelm us.
I imagine that is how James Cash Penney felt when he lost $40 million in the stock market crash of 1929, becoming deathly ill from the stress of his circumstances. Seven million dollars in debt, false accusations of fiscal impropriety lodged against him, emotionally and physically spent, Penney wrote, 'I was convinced I would never see another dawn. I wrote farewell letters to my family. Then I waited for the end--a failure at the age of 56.'
Although Penney felt as if he had no future, God had other plans. At the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Michigan where he was being treated for his illness, Penney one day heard the hymn, "God Will Take Care of You," and he decided to trust the Lord Jesus as his Savior. Not only did he survive, he also lived into his nineties, building a financial empire through his JCPenney stores.
Perhaps you are experiencing devastating difficultires today or see disturbing troubles on the horizon. Maybe you lack a sense of direciton or real purpose. You might even wonder if you need to give up on your goals and dreams because you feel like you don't measure up and will never deserve the good things you desire.
At such times, you may be tempted to seek refuge in earthly comforts such as wealth, possessions, food, or activities. Perhaps you throw yourself more deeply into ministry, trying to hide your hurt, but becoming more wounded in the process. You may even attempt to isolate yourself from the world, pushing everyone away. Don't. These things promise to comfort your hurting coul, but will eventually cause you more pain.
Instead, cling to the only One who can truly help you overcome all of your difficulties--Jesus Christ. As 1 Peter 5:7 admonishes, cast "all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." How do you do so? Here are some principles that will help you through the most difficult times.
First, whenever you are tempted to think about your circumstances--and the empty feeling of hopelessness wells up within you--realize it is an important indication that you should be in prayer. The emotions you're experiencing are a warning sign to your spirit, revealing your utter need for the Father. He is calling you...drawing you into a relationship with Him. Go to Him with an open heart, and invite Him to teach you.
Second, commit yourself to God and whatever He has planned for your future. Did you know that one of the biggest gold deposits ever excavated in this nation was discovered just two inches beneath the spot where a previous miner had given up? There are many wonderful blessings that you will forfeit if you quit now. Don't miss out on the good things the Father has for you because you are discouraged. Devote yourself to the Lord, and He will strengthen you to go on.
Third, claim God's promises to always love and never forsake us. Often, when we experience loss, rejectiong, or we fail at something important, we attribut our painful feelings to our own sense of worth. We begin to believe we don't deserve acceptance or anything good. But the Father promises to love us unconditionally, and our job is simply to accept His everlasting love (Jer. 31:3; 1 John 4:9-11). Deuteronomy 31:8 assures, "The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Fourth, cling to God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, regardless of what happens, with the knowledge that He ultimately provides what is absolutely best for you. Understanding this principle will help you get through the most difficult times in your life, because when you turn to Him for help, He will comfort your hurting soul and fill the emptiness with hope.
No matter what happens in your life, don't let go of the Savior. Respond to your feelings of discouragement with prayer. Commit yourself to trusting His plan, regardless of the circumstances. Claim His unfailing promises and cling to His loving presence. He can and will help you through this. So hold on to God. He knows the pathway to victory in your situation and is simply waiting for you to trust Him to lead the way.
Prayerfully yours, Charles F. Stanley"
"Hold on to God. No matter what happens or how discouraging your situation may become, never stop clinging to the Lord. He is faithful, and He will most certainly keep you. Keep trusting Him--regardless of how your circumstances appear.
I write this to you today because all of us have walked through valleys at one time or another in life. Each of us has wept over difficulties and struggles we thought we couldn't survive. We lay awake at night, wondering, "God, what am I going to do? I don't know how to go on." We're not sure how to face the decisions and consequences that will come. The pain and emptiness overwhelm us.
I imagine that is how James Cash Penney felt when he lost $40 million in the stock market crash of 1929, becoming deathly ill from the stress of his circumstances. Seven million dollars in debt, false accusations of fiscal impropriety lodged against him, emotionally and physically spent, Penney wrote, 'I was convinced I would never see another dawn. I wrote farewell letters to my family. Then I waited for the end--a failure at the age of 56.'
Although Penney felt as if he had no future, God had other plans. At the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Michigan where he was being treated for his illness, Penney one day heard the hymn, "God Will Take Care of You," and he decided to trust the Lord Jesus as his Savior. Not only did he survive, he also lived into his nineties, building a financial empire through his JCPenney stores.
Perhaps you are experiencing devastating difficultires today or see disturbing troubles on the horizon. Maybe you lack a sense of direciton or real purpose. You might even wonder if you need to give up on your goals and dreams because you feel like you don't measure up and will never deserve the good things you desire.
At such times, you may be tempted to seek refuge in earthly comforts such as wealth, possessions, food, or activities. Perhaps you throw yourself more deeply into ministry, trying to hide your hurt, but becoming more wounded in the process. You may even attempt to isolate yourself from the world, pushing everyone away. Don't. These things promise to comfort your hurting coul, but will eventually cause you more pain.
Instead, cling to the only One who can truly help you overcome all of your difficulties--Jesus Christ. As 1 Peter 5:7 admonishes, cast "all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." How do you do so? Here are some principles that will help you through the most difficult times.
First, whenever you are tempted to think about your circumstances--and the empty feeling of hopelessness wells up within you--realize it is an important indication that you should be in prayer. The emotions you're experiencing are a warning sign to your spirit, revealing your utter need for the Father. He is calling you...drawing you into a relationship with Him. Go to Him with an open heart, and invite Him to teach you.
Second, commit yourself to God and whatever He has planned for your future. Did you know that one of the biggest gold deposits ever excavated in this nation was discovered just two inches beneath the spot where a previous miner had given up? There are many wonderful blessings that you will forfeit if you quit now. Don't miss out on the good things the Father has for you because you are discouraged. Devote yourself to the Lord, and He will strengthen you to go on.
Third, claim God's promises to always love and never forsake us. Often, when we experience loss, rejectiong, or we fail at something important, we attribut our painful feelings to our own sense of worth. We begin to believe we don't deserve acceptance or anything good. But the Father promises to love us unconditionally, and our job is simply to accept His everlasting love (Jer. 31:3; 1 John 4:9-11). Deuteronomy 31:8 assures, "The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Fourth, cling to God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, regardless of what happens, with the knowledge that He ultimately provides what is absolutely best for you. Understanding this principle will help you get through the most difficult times in your life, because when you turn to Him for help, He will comfort your hurting soul and fill the emptiness with hope.
No matter what happens in your life, don't let go of the Savior. Respond to your feelings of discouragement with prayer. Commit yourself to trusting His plan, regardless of the circumstances. Claim His unfailing promises and cling to His loving presence. He can and will help you through this. So hold on to God. He knows the pathway to victory in your situation and is simply waiting for you to trust Him to lead the way.
Prayerfully yours, Charles F. Stanley"
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
here's the puzzle: you, what, have, want
I turned on the radio this evening to hear the last words of that amazing Diamond Rio song, "One More Day." Though perhaps not the original purpose of the song, it got me thinking about how if we are given something (anything), quite often it just makes us want something more. As the song says , "one more sunset maybe I'd be satisfied, but then again I know what it would do, it'd leave me wishing still for one more day with you."
Even starting out as children, we tell our parents at Christmas time--'mom, if you get me this toy, I will never ask for anything again.' Most mothers aren't silly enough to believe that. Then as adults, it seems we only get worse--'this sportscar is it...after that I will not want anything more.' ...but then we get the car and we need the rims, or the turbo package, etc. What we must come to understand is that our wants are ever changing, with trends, fashions, age, etc. And they have the potential to never be fulfilled. But I tell you what, I have come up with a solution to fulfill all your wants. Are you ready? You may want to grab pen and paper for this, it's a potential breakthrough. You can satisfy all of your wants by: wanting what you have. In a better way of putting it--be content. The interesting thing about this breakthrough (which is in fact no new breakthrough at all) is that the Bible reminds us frequently of the key to satisfaction....
Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."...look toward Heaven, not things here on earth which will fade away (whether in our lifetime or after)
Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." ---the want here is not the 'I want a doll, or choclate' sort of want as we know it, but rather it talks about being in want, that is, having a need unfulfilled. The Lord is your Shepherd, your leader...He's going to take care of your needs.
Paul, one of the great leaders of Christianity, tells us in Philippians 4:11-12, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." Now, mind you, Paul had been in prison, had been mocked, had depended on the funds of others to supply his needs as he travelled as a missionary...and yet, he was still full of joy (4:4) and content! Put your wants in perspective.
Truth is, a wish list is not a sin so long as you keep in perspective what your real goals and priorities are, and that you put Christ first. Remember the rich guy that had it all together, had followed all the commandments, yet was too in love with his riches to follow Christ completely? Luke 18:18-24. Don't become that. The smallest want can become the biggest barrier in your relationship with Christ if you do not remember what is most important (Him!).
One of the hardest things to let go of in this world, and one often not addressed when we talk about 'wants,' is those people that we love. It's a rough subject, but at some point we all have a date with the Big Guy (Jesus) where we pass from this world to our fate in eternal life (hopefully you have salvation and are going in the direction of Heaven). When those we love pass away, we must remember that Christ still must come first. If anything we should not turn our back on God during the pain of loss, but run to Him, His comfort, and seek His understanding of the 'whys' in the situation. Do not let other people become your god. This concept applies in living as well--don't make any person such an idol in your life that their wants come before those of God....even if it's family or a spouse (ouch...I know, it's not always easy), remember Christ should be number one.
So break the habit of wanting more and more. Look at what you have and realize just how blessed you truly are. I don't know what you have, but this I do know, if you are reading this, it must be enough. This life will not always be about thriving...some days it's just surviving. Just remember even in the surviving ('whatever state I'm in' as Paul put it) to be content.
[....and for those of you confused by the title...you're supposed to organize it as 'want what you have' not 'have what you want'...the lesson: perspective is key.]
Even starting out as children, we tell our parents at Christmas time--'mom, if you get me this toy, I will never ask for anything again.' Most mothers aren't silly enough to believe that. Then as adults, it seems we only get worse--'this sportscar is it...after that I will not want anything more.' ...but then we get the car and we need the rims, or the turbo package, etc. What we must come to understand is that our wants are ever changing, with trends, fashions, age, etc. And they have the potential to never be fulfilled. But I tell you what, I have come up with a solution to fulfill all your wants. Are you ready? You may want to grab pen and paper for this, it's a potential breakthrough. You can satisfy all of your wants by: wanting what you have. In a better way of putting it--be content. The interesting thing about this breakthrough (which is in fact no new breakthrough at all) is that the Bible reminds us frequently of the key to satisfaction....
Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."...look toward Heaven, not things here on earth which will fade away (whether in our lifetime or after)
Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." ---the want here is not the 'I want a doll, or choclate' sort of want as we know it, but rather it talks about being in want, that is, having a need unfulfilled. The Lord is your Shepherd, your leader...He's going to take care of your needs.
Paul, one of the great leaders of Christianity, tells us in Philippians 4:11-12, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." Now, mind you, Paul had been in prison, had been mocked, had depended on the funds of others to supply his needs as he travelled as a missionary...and yet, he was still full of joy (4:4) and content! Put your wants in perspective.
Truth is, a wish list is not a sin so long as you keep in perspective what your real goals and priorities are, and that you put Christ first. Remember the rich guy that had it all together, had followed all the commandments, yet was too in love with his riches to follow Christ completely? Luke 18:18-24. Don't become that. The smallest want can become the biggest barrier in your relationship with Christ if you do not remember what is most important (Him!).
One of the hardest things to let go of in this world, and one often not addressed when we talk about 'wants,' is those people that we love. It's a rough subject, but at some point we all have a date with the Big Guy (Jesus) where we pass from this world to our fate in eternal life (hopefully you have salvation and are going in the direction of Heaven). When those we love pass away, we must remember that Christ still must come first. If anything we should not turn our back on God during the pain of loss, but run to Him, His comfort, and seek His understanding of the 'whys' in the situation. Do not let other people become your god. This concept applies in living as well--don't make any person such an idol in your life that their wants come before those of God....even if it's family or a spouse (ouch...I know, it's not always easy), remember Christ should be number one.
So break the habit of wanting more and more. Look at what you have and realize just how blessed you truly are. I don't know what you have, but this I do know, if you are reading this, it must be enough. This life will not always be about thriving...some days it's just surviving. Just remember even in the surviving ('whatever state I'm in' as Paul put it) to be content.
[....and for those of you confused by the title...you're supposed to organize it as 'want what you have' not 'have what you want'...the lesson: perspective is key.]
Monday, September 27, 2010
there's more to it than stars and stripes
Having some of my rights at least in theory being breifly taken away in China was one of the biggest blessings in my life...here's why...
Today on my way to school, I was listening to KLOVE, a national Christian radio station. This past week was 'meet me at the pole,' where Christian students from all around the country gather at their school's flag pole to pray because, well, we're free to do so. A particular Christian school that didn't have a flag pole went to their nearest military base to pray around the flag pole on base. After they were done praying, the radio station reported that, one of the miltary personnell presented them with an American flag....this brought the teacher to tears. And tears of joy flowed in my eyes too. I have an extremely high level of respect and appreciation for America, our leaders, and our military. To me, the flag represents the embodiment of many great things--of peace, hope, unity, dreams, freedom, possibilities, values, and so much more. Throw my pride in America with my excitement about God (which America allows me to show without reserve or consequence!), and I'll admit you're probably going to get some sort of display of emotion and joy out of me.
This morning reminded me again of how EXTREMELY blessed I am. I have the right to praise God wherever I am whenever I want. That's amazing. Most of the world does not have that blessing. The amazing thing is that so often we don't take advantage of it. So my challenge to you is to sing on the sidewalks, pray in your car, tell the sales attendant that Jesus loves them. Fulfill with your freedom what God calls you to do: spread His Good News!!
When I was in China, conversation anywhere in public about religion was completely banned. It could lead to imprisonment or worse. Live it up and cling to what you have people!! Show your commitment to and love for God, make it more than just a statement on your Facebook profile.
The serious truth is that there is absolutely NO guarantee you'll have religious freedom forever.
Think of it this way: if I told you that you could no longer talk about your family in public--what would you do? what if owning a dog was banned? what if you had no choice in the type of car you drove? you were only allowed to work 20 hours a week--too bad if you can't make ends meet?....etc. These seem silly or like they cut into our basic...freedoms. We'd all wear t-shirts and write our politicians to demand we could own dogs, or choose cars, or talk about our family!
Take this same zeal, get out there and speak about Jesus. It's your right. Fight for it, keep it, hold it, use it, savor it, and by golly, be thankful for it. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Matthew 18:20. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I [Jesus] in the midst of them"....get some Jesus in your midst. :)
Today on my way to school, I was listening to KLOVE, a national Christian radio station. This past week was 'meet me at the pole,' where Christian students from all around the country gather at their school's flag pole to pray because, well, we're free to do so. A particular Christian school that didn't have a flag pole went to their nearest military base to pray around the flag pole on base. After they were done praying, the radio station reported that, one of the miltary personnell presented them with an American flag....this brought the teacher to tears. And tears of joy flowed in my eyes too. I have an extremely high level of respect and appreciation for America, our leaders, and our military. To me, the flag represents the embodiment of many great things--of peace, hope, unity, dreams, freedom, possibilities, values, and so much more. Throw my pride in America with my excitement about God (which America allows me to show without reserve or consequence!), and I'll admit you're probably going to get some sort of display of emotion and joy out of me.
This morning reminded me again of how EXTREMELY blessed I am. I have the right to praise God wherever I am whenever I want. That's amazing. Most of the world does not have that blessing. The amazing thing is that so often we don't take advantage of it. So my challenge to you is to sing on the sidewalks, pray in your car, tell the sales attendant that Jesus loves them. Fulfill with your freedom what God calls you to do: spread His Good News!!
When I was in China, conversation anywhere in public about religion was completely banned. It could lead to imprisonment or worse. Live it up and cling to what you have people!! Show your commitment to and love for God, make it more than just a statement on your Facebook profile.
The serious truth is that there is absolutely NO guarantee you'll have religious freedom forever.
Think of it this way: if I told you that you could no longer talk about your family in public--what would you do? what if owning a dog was banned? what if you had no choice in the type of car you drove? you were only allowed to work 20 hours a week--too bad if you can't make ends meet?....etc. These seem silly or like they cut into our basic...freedoms. We'd all wear t-shirts and write our politicians to demand we could own dogs, or choose cars, or talk about our family!
Take this same zeal, get out there and speak about Jesus. It's your right. Fight for it, keep it, hold it, use it, savor it, and by golly, be thankful for it. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Matthew 18:20. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I [Jesus] in the midst of them"....get some Jesus in your midst. :)
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
don't swing with your eyes closed
A reminder today:
Song Lyrics--Unpredictable by Francesca Battistelli
Got my thoughts
I got my words
Got this head full of answers
Got You wrapped up
Got You under control
See my future like the past behind me
I think I know where You're leading
Don't need no questions
Don't need no rocking the boat
But I just forget all the mystery
I just forget who You are
(Chorus)
When I know that I know
What You have down the road
When I'm sure that
I've figured You out
Help me see that I'm small
That I can't know it all
'Cause You're so unpredictable
'Cause You're so unpredictable
You said the foolish
Would shame the wise
To put my faith
In what's beyond my eyes
And to believe You
I have to come as a child
So help me to rest in the mystery
Of what I can't understand
(Chorus)
Can't wrap my mind around You
Can't put You in a box
Can't keep You safely contained
You're gonna move the way
You wanna move today
Just let me FOLLOW along
(Chorus)
.....So just remember, He's in control of the unpredictable. Follow, Move, Go. Philippians 4:12-13, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plent or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
Batter up.
Song Lyrics--Unpredictable by Francesca Battistelli
Got my thoughts
I got my words
Got this head full of answers
Got You wrapped up
Got You under control
See my future like the past behind me
I think I know where You're leading
Don't need no questions
Don't need no rocking the boat
But I just forget all the mystery
I just forget who You are
(Chorus)
When I know that I know
What You have down the road
When I'm sure that
I've figured You out
Help me see that I'm small
That I can't know it all
'Cause You're so unpredictable
'Cause You're so unpredictable
You said the foolish
Would shame the wise
To put my faith
In what's beyond my eyes
And to believe You
I have to come as a child
So help me to rest in the mystery
Of what I can't understand
(Chorus)
Can't wrap my mind around You
Can't put You in a box
Can't keep You safely contained
You're gonna move the way
You wanna move today
Just let me FOLLOW along
(Chorus)
.....So just remember, He's in control of the unpredictable. Follow, Move, Go. Philippians 4:12-13, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plent or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
Batter up.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
what espresso taught me: reflections of a former barista
As a former barista, I do not pretend to be in the least bit a professional, but during my 2 month adventures in the coffee world, I learned many lessons. The lesson I reflect on today: espresso taught me the value of time.
Due to the shortage of espresso funerals/ceremonies, most people are not aware that a shot of espresso dies after 10 seconds. That is to say, once a shot has been pulled, it goes from a creamy brown color to a dark brown color....and at the point it becomes bitter. When I first started working as a barista, I found it hard to balance steaming milk, pumping syrups, rinsing pitchers, making other iced beverages, etc. during the about 15 seconds it takes to pull a shot of espresso. As time went on (and like I say, I was never a pro) I began to understand better just how long 15 seconds was. Now, for most of us, we sit down to accomplish a task and think 15 minutes is not enough to do most things, much less 15 seconds, but you learn just how fast you can do things when you are limited in time.
Currently, I am reading a book called Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung. It reflects on finding God's will and other useful information. Today I read a chapter titled 'Our Magic 8-ball God'...a spin on a previous quote DeYoung had, "God is not a Magic 8-Ball we shake up and peer into whenever we have a decision to make. He is a good God who gives us brains, shows us the way of obedience, and invites us to take risks for Him. We know God has a plan for out lives. That's wonderful. The problem is we think He's going to tell us the wonderful plan before it unfolds. We feel like we can know--and need to kn0w--what God wants every step of the way. But such preoccupation with finding God's will, as well intentioned as the desire may be, is more folly than freedom. The better way is the biblical way: Seek first the kingdom of God, and then trust He will take care of our needs, even before we know what they are and where we're going."
...so now you're like, umm what does this have to do with espresso? Remember...we're thinking about time here. Follow me...back to the chapter.
DeYoung goes on to say, "We want to know what tomorrow will bring instead of being content with simple obedience on the journey. And so we obsess about the future and we get anxious, because anxiety, after all, is simply living out the future before it gets here...Worry about the future is not simply a character tic, it is the sin of unbelief, an indication that our hearts are not resting in the promises of God."
So, now let's talk God's timing: in our past, in our present, and (what most of us are concerned about) in our future. Working with espresso took training, and I had to come to comprehend through trial and error what all I could do in the 15 seconds a shot pulled. It was silly to stand and watch the shot pull and most of the time ended with unhappy customers or a back-up on drinks...so that wasn't an option. I had to learn to multitask. So how long is 15 seconds?
What I am learning with age and experience (neither of which do I have an abundance) that sometimes we get overwhelmed by juggling--"God, how can I get ALL this done in that amount of time?"....it's never enough time. We also get overwhelmed by waiting--"God, why is this happening/why aren't you speaking or moving/why have I had to wait this long?"...it's always too much time. Weird balance huh? In the doing, we don't have enough time; in the waiting, we have too much. So here's what I gather mathematically from that...in your waiting, be doing [something productive for God] and in your overwhelming of doing, be waiting [for God's provision to carry your load, for the target to be hit, for His help and guidance]. Balance is key.
Do not limit yourself to less than you can handle in life. Remember Psalm 121: 5-6, "The Lord watches over you--the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night." Kevin DeYoung spoke toward anxiety--not knowing what is coming, but trying to live in it before you get there. You cannot hand out an espresso-based drink (i.e. latte, americano, caffe mocha, etc.) until the shot pulls...so you use your time wisely. You cannot get to tomorrow's successes/struggles until today's events have taken course....so use your time wisely. You only have one life...make the most of it when you give it a 'shot' :).
Philippians 4:6- "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Due to the shortage of espresso funerals/ceremonies, most people are not aware that a shot of espresso dies after 10 seconds. That is to say, once a shot has been pulled, it goes from a creamy brown color to a dark brown color....and at the point it becomes bitter. When I first started working as a barista, I found it hard to balance steaming milk, pumping syrups, rinsing pitchers, making other iced beverages, etc. during the about 15 seconds it takes to pull a shot of espresso. As time went on (and like I say, I was never a pro) I began to understand better just how long 15 seconds was. Now, for most of us, we sit down to accomplish a task and think 15 minutes is not enough to do most things, much less 15 seconds, but you learn just how fast you can do things when you are limited in time.
Currently, I am reading a book called Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung. It reflects on finding God's will and other useful information. Today I read a chapter titled 'Our Magic 8-ball God'...a spin on a previous quote DeYoung had, "God is not a Magic 8-Ball we shake up and peer into whenever we have a decision to make. He is a good God who gives us brains, shows us the way of obedience, and invites us to take risks for Him. We know God has a plan for out lives. That's wonderful. The problem is we think He's going to tell us the wonderful plan before it unfolds. We feel like we can know--and need to kn0w--what God wants every step of the way. But such preoccupation with finding God's will, as well intentioned as the desire may be, is more folly than freedom. The better way is the biblical way: Seek first the kingdom of God, and then trust He will take care of our needs, even before we know what they are and where we're going."
...so now you're like, umm what does this have to do with espresso? Remember...we're thinking about time here. Follow me...back to the chapter.
DeYoung goes on to say, "We want to know what tomorrow will bring instead of being content with simple obedience on the journey. And so we obsess about the future and we get anxious, because anxiety, after all, is simply living out the future before it gets here...Worry about the future is not simply a character tic, it is the sin of unbelief, an indication that our hearts are not resting in the promises of God."
So, now let's talk God's timing: in our past, in our present, and (what most of us are concerned about) in our future. Working with espresso took training, and I had to come to comprehend through trial and error what all I could do in the 15 seconds a shot pulled. It was silly to stand and watch the shot pull and most of the time ended with unhappy customers or a back-up on drinks...so that wasn't an option. I had to learn to multitask. So how long is 15 seconds?
What I am learning with age and experience (neither of which do I have an abundance) that sometimes we get overwhelmed by juggling--"God, how can I get ALL this done in that amount of time?"....it's never enough time. We also get overwhelmed by waiting--"God, why is this happening/why aren't you speaking or moving/why have I had to wait this long?"...it's always too much time. Weird balance huh? In the doing, we don't have enough time; in the waiting, we have too much. So here's what I gather mathematically from that...in your waiting, be doing [something productive for God] and in your overwhelming of doing, be waiting [for God's provision to carry your load, for the target to be hit, for His help and guidance]. Balance is key.
Do not limit yourself to less than you can handle in life. Remember Psalm 121: 5-6, "The Lord watches over you--the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night." Kevin DeYoung spoke toward anxiety--not knowing what is coming, but trying to live in it before you get there. You cannot hand out an espresso-based drink (i.e. latte, americano, caffe mocha, etc.) until the shot pulls...so you use your time wisely. You cannot get to tomorrow's successes/struggles until today's events have taken course....so use your time wisely. You only have one life...make the most of it when you give it a 'shot' :).
Philippians 4:6- "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Friday, September 17, 2010
life may not always seem solvable, but it is entertaining, and your dreams...they sparkle
Let's start out by first agreeing and establishing that sometimes life sucks. We face adversity, the right person says the wrong thing at the right time, your favorite cardigan rips, shin splints take over your ability to venture to the nearest Subway, etc. From the little things to the big things and all that falls in between, we can all confess that not every moment of our life is a happy one. Today, and in fact, most of this week was full of favorite-cardigan-tearing/kick me in my weak spot/is this ever going to end moments...and so this evening I came home to take a break. So I put in the only movie in our collection I don't think I've seen yet, All About Steve, a romantic comedy about a crossword puzzle designer, her love for the written word, and her pursuit of love. In the movie, the crossword puzzle designer often quotes the 3 requirements for a great crossword puzzle: "Is it solvable, is it entertaining, does it sparkle?" Toward the end of the movie, real life disaster happen, and as she is coming out of a collapsed coal mine, she reflects on judging life's worth and greatness in the same way as the crossword puzzle: "is it solvable, is it entertaining, and does it sparkle?" So when facing any adversity and you feel that the problems in front of you are too much or too difficult, this simple and almost funny reflection perhaps will help you to realize that although life doesn't generally have the triumphant background music at just the right time like a well developed movie, it's going to be ok.
In fact, it's important that you realize it's going to come out alright. But, on the flipside of the coin, I was reminded today that it is also okay to hurt. For those of us with massive amounts of pride, sometimes it hurts to hurt. Others of us feel like by burdening others with our burdens, we only hurt others we love more and don't accomplish anything positive through sharing our struggles. These perceptions are in fact, untrue. A beautiful friend, in listening to my burdens today, shared with me Proverbs 14:10, "Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy." Everyone has their pain. We are each influenced by different events in different ways, and what only slightly hurts one will be heartwrenching for another facing a similar situation. Don't be afraid to hurt. God says there is a time for all things, including a time to mourn (Ecclesiates 3: 1-8). But, in balance, He also tells us there is a time to be silent, a time to embrace and refrain from embracing, and a time to dance. So dance when you can, mourn when you have to, and embrace others when they need it most.
And also to those of you who have pride or are afraid to burden someone with your burdens, remember we all have a desire to connect with one another. We are all battling something. Often I find that by sharing what we've been through, we help educate each other on the best and worst ways to approach situations. Also, none of us are perfect, and by sharing our struggles it reinforces the fact that in a world filled with so many hurting, there is hope, there is triumph, and we have others that are in this with us. So give your team a high 5, grant yourself some down time, and then get back at it. We've got mouths to feed, hearts to heal, and souls to save (and some of us even have ripped cardigans to repair ;)).
Life may not always seem solvable (take it one moment at a time), but it is often entertaining (learn to laugh at your mistakes), and my, how your dreams do sparkle.
In fact, it's important that you realize it's going to come out alright. But, on the flipside of the coin, I was reminded today that it is also okay to hurt. For those of us with massive amounts of pride, sometimes it hurts to hurt. Others of us feel like by burdening others with our burdens, we only hurt others we love more and don't accomplish anything positive through sharing our struggles. These perceptions are in fact, untrue. A beautiful friend, in listening to my burdens today, shared with me Proverbs 14:10, "Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy." Everyone has their pain. We are each influenced by different events in different ways, and what only slightly hurts one will be heartwrenching for another facing a similar situation. Don't be afraid to hurt. God says there is a time for all things, including a time to mourn (Ecclesiates 3: 1-8). But, in balance, He also tells us there is a time to be silent, a time to embrace and refrain from embracing, and a time to dance. So dance when you can, mourn when you have to, and embrace others when they need it most.
And also to those of you who have pride or are afraid to burden someone with your burdens, remember we all have a desire to connect with one another. We are all battling something. Often I find that by sharing what we've been through, we help educate each other on the best and worst ways to approach situations. Also, none of us are perfect, and by sharing our struggles it reinforces the fact that in a world filled with so many hurting, there is hope, there is triumph, and we have others that are in this with us. So give your team a high 5, grant yourself some down time, and then get back at it. We've got mouths to feed, hearts to heal, and souls to save (and some of us even have ripped cardigans to repair ;)).
Life may not always seem solvable (take it one moment at a time), but it is often entertaining (learn to laugh at your mistakes), and my, how your dreams do sparkle.
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