I think I'm onto something that I hope to express in the next few posts.
Before going into what I sense God showing me in how I waste my time, I wish to briefly explain why time is so vital.
I think time is vital for it is the one gift God gives equally (not in terms of years lived).
Everyone has the same amount of time in a day. President Obama, the person working the toll booth, the person stuck in rush hour, the mom with 3 kids who have three different teams practicing all on the same day.........they all have the same amount of time.
Time is distributed by God evenly. And I'm responsible to steward it.
Part of stewarding that is to identify and steer away from time wasters.
By God's grace, I've identified 5 for me that loom large if not continually checked. I'd like to share them, my (so far) strategies for overcoming them, and how they could waste my time.
One thing friends, family, and soon-to-be friends and/or family ask is: Hey jason, what do you recommend on...(insert subject here)? Here's what's on my top list right now.
Food: I recommend Freebirds. Great value, good food. Interesting ambience.
Book: I'm not a fiction guy, so I'm kind of a church-book nerd. Having said that: Total Church by Chester and Timmis. Also, DA Carson's new bookThe god Who Is There alongside Radical by David Platt.
Movie: I recently saw "The Other Guys," and was entertained. It was over-the-top at times (Will Ferrell....) but was in my mind a good spin. Would like to recommend the "Expendables," but haven't seen it yet. Ditto for "Inception."
Music: Again, I'm not a lot for current music in what is labelled as the Christian or secular variety...(despite my potential rant at music being either Christian or secular). However, I have one of...well I guess both. One may surprise you...One probably won't.
I saw "Iron Man 2" earlier this summer as did many of you. And you know that AC/DC was featured prominently in a music role. It seems as if this group has been together forever, and well they have. And I know, I know, "after Christ devil comes," and all that used to follow the guys around. Their name is simply a not to currents of electricity.
They kick serious rock-rear, and I was re-awakened to that after listening to some older songs.
Sojournmusic.com. Sojourn Community Church in Louisville has some CD's and other media for listening and to be blunt: They are worth every penny you would need to spend. Over the Grave is the album I have had the pleasure of immersing myself in recently, and it's notable for two (among many other) reasons: 1. it's a tribute to Isaac Watts. 2. Diverse musical styles make this truly an artistic masterpiece.
Enjoy!
Jason
Coming soon: A series on Time Wasters. Why is it that so many waste so much when we've been given the same amount? What wastes our time, how can we gain traction in redeeming time, and how can we maximize the time we're given for God's glory?
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devotional practice
I've been away for a while, and I'm sorry. Call it a combo of being away from home, sickness, and other stuff that has unfortunately disrupted my pattern.
And I don't see that pattern of disruption being disrupted in the next couple of days.
Here's why I've been away:
I had some surgery to a tooth done a few Thursdays back. After that weekend, my head hurt like never before in my life. I wouldn't wish that pain on my enemies.
Monday, August 2 saw me pull my car over on the way home from seeing Krista because I couldn't drive any more. I went into my office, shut the door and laid down for about 45 minutes. I then had enough strength to drive home and promptly go on the couch.
For most of that week, I was about 60% of what I feel as my norm. I then travelled to Orange, California to hang with Mandy, her mom, sister, brother in law and nieces.
Monday August 9th was the worst pain I've ever experienced I think in my life. Threw up 7 times, and was only able to eat a banana and half a fish taco...which were promptly expelled during the day.
That's when I thought it was a migraine.
But now, a week later and no nausea by God's grace, residual pain remains.
And now, I'm once again a patient having to be patient as I wait for tests to come back to see what's wrong.
Thankfully as we know right now: no tumors or aneurysms (sp). But questions linger.
So I wait. And until I know conclusively, my blogosphere may have to wait until regular updates resume.
I just had a friend text me saying they had cancer. The doctors were right in their diagnosis, correct in their findings, and had to tell my friend some sobering news: You have cancer.
There are a lot of churchy answers, and I suspect that some of them are even right.
One thing's for sure: My friend won't be apathetic in regards to kicking this in the rear.
Yesterday I noted five indicators of apathy. What do you do when you are diagnosed with a case (either mild or intense) of apathy?
You can either continue to not care, or do the more dangerous thing: Confess, repent, and be restored.
Confession: Largely easy. Just agree with God you're a sinner. While a problem at times, largely okay with this.
Repent: tougher. It's not just agreeing that your sin is wrong. It's stating, I'm not just sorry, I'm sorry and wish to change. Change me.
Restored: We'll handle this one later.
For now, confession and repentance are a good place to start.
Sunday Summary: Collision: Hearing vs. Doing Attitude
August 3rd 2010 11:14am
Category: Church
We covered James 1:19-24 on Sunday. Our colliding views were hearing the Scriptures taught vs. doing what the Scriptures teach.
Attitude determines so much in life..a loss of a job/ gaining a job/ kid stuff/ parent stuff/relationships or whatever. We rarely control what we will face; but we’ve been given, commanded and tasked the stewardship of how we respond to our situations in a way that honors God and points to him.
Our main point was this: HOW YOU RECEIVE WHAT YOU HEAR DETERMINES HOW YOU RESPOND TO WHAT YOU HEAR.
James tells us to receive God's truth, His word with meekness, like welcoming a long-not seen friend, or even like medicine that you know will work…even if it’s bad at the time.
This implanted word is the Gospel. We never get over our need of Gospel reminders. I Thessalonians 2:13.
James 1:22 is the pivot verse in the entire book.
If this is all you think you are needing (hear) you are sadly mistaken.
”Do it” lies at center of all that James teaches. Put into practice what you profess to believe.
Listening is not the end….just the beginning.
It’s not in merely the listening that God is honored. It’s in the corresponding action.
-How can we see Jesus? Word of truth.
-Gospel focus is where? The implanted word.
-God purposes to make disciples and for us to be a disciple. How does this application further my discipleship in Jesus? I should respond to truth with humility, seeking the blessing that comes from obedience.
Imagine a faith family who were radically sensitive to receiving God’s truth with gratitude and humility, seeking to leap at the chance to obey. We would be truly a peculiar people, showing a difference to a world that needs it.
I know that I can be guilty of piling onto media figures. Exhibit a: Lindsay Lohan. B. Lebron James. C. anyone else.
I admit they are an easy target. And they probably don't care that I'm talking about them. It's just that we as Americans can be guilty of living "through" them.
I don't want to live like or through one recent celebrity. I'm not going to mention their name, partially because I'm hoping that some of the things I've been hearing about them aren't true (but I fear they are true).
After reading an article on them this morning at the Y, it seems as if they are regressing rather than progressing. They seemingly were more mature in their 20's and 30's than in their 40's.
Back in the 20's: they were happily married with a growing family.
40's: divorced and having another baby out of wedlock with a ---friend that they broke up with soon afterward.
20's: focused on career.
40's: focused on career...and philandering...and substance abuse.
It's almost as if this celebrity is de-maturing.
So how does one measure maturity? Are their growth steps that we can point to and say: God is gracing me in these areas?
