What is work?

What is our work? What is the toil that we put our hands to as Solomon describes? Is it just our jobs? Is that what we are to find our joy in? Or, is it something much larger?

What do you think?

I think my job is defined later in scripture when it is said that "in all things work as unto the Lord and not men". In thinking about that everything would be work, right? Being a husband, dad, employee, friend, follower of Christ, shopper, repairman, neighbor, enemy, son, etc...

Do I always find joy in all those things? Nope. I pray that I will... I imagine that if I did I'd be a lot more useful to God...

Baby a comin'

We are all excited! Found out Sunday that my wife is preggers!! I have to admit that there is also a little fear sprinkled in there. I just pray that I won't take this for granted and enjoy it all.

The job is going well.

We have movie nite this coming Saturday.

Indoor soccer has kicked off and we are playing in a league with teenage boys. We lost our first one 5-3.. Not bad for only coming up to their shoulders.

Tryimg to get in shape by using the treadmill...that thing makes me sick. When I get off it feels like I am dizzy or still moving or something. Not sure about that thing at all!

Michael Novak

I just attended a mini conference with Michael Novak. He’s an accomplished author, theologian, etc. He recently published a book, “No One Sees God”….

 

Here are some quotes and paraphrases:

“Christians tend to leap to perfection too quickly”

“The red thread that runs through the Bible is – Liberty”

“The creation should be grateful to be created”

Jesus did not have many followers, most turned away from Him - pp

Judaism and Christianity are responsible for ground breaking concepts such as compassion.

Quoted Lincoln, He feared the “Silent Artillery of time” – in regards to losing values.

                1^st generation were viewed as heros

                2^nd generation tried to live up to it

                3^rd generation was tired of hearing about it

Lincoln Douglas debates were actually all about “choice”… Novak likened slavery  to abortion of the current day.

Novus Ordo Seclorum – New order of the ages – on every dollar bill – represents the 3 sides of society. Polictical – economic – and the uncapped pyramid as the moral/cultural dimension

 

My favorite in regards to capitalism was very simply – “Humble and forgotten things that serve the common good are of the greatest value”

 

I plan on buying and actually reading that book.

 

 

My feelings on the presidential election.

Rats.

Change can have 2 directions – Better or worse. His origin and true intent can only come to light in action now.

 

However, I think that, unlike the seemingly overwhelming dis-ownership of Bush by the democrats that we need to step up and accept him as our leader. By “we” I mean believers.

 

Here’s my take on why he won:

Everyone is wanting things to be easy, their way and to their advantage. If I had a choice, I would probably choose those things as well. However, it seems that more and more people are wanting to be taken care of. They want their cake and eat it too. They want to have frivolous, pleasure seeking encounters and not have the responsibility of the privilege. They want to marry whatever they want and have everyone support it. They want to hear words that tickle their ears and feed their egos. We are a selfish nation. I know there is scripture that discusses this very thing. There is no doubt that Barrack was a more charismatic and polished speaker. Here’s the separation for me…and it’s proof that we are becoming a more feminized nation. It didn’t matter “what” the candidates said…but, “how” they said it.

 

Honestly, I think the election was lose/lose. Neither primary candidate should have even been there. Where the heck is Ross Perot when you need him! ;-)

Lessons

Just when I think I've got it figured out...whammo, lesson from God. ;-)

So, if you're a reader of my blog you may recall that I had water heater issues. Here's a summary:
Pilot light keeps going out - cold water.
CT recommends warranty
Free replacement part and additional parts
Replace part
Works for a month straight
Praising the Lord about it - get in the shower - cold
Distress
Call plumbing company
Guy says no air and overuse.
Take off door to not restrict air - keep a closer eye on use
Problems increase
Call plumbing company - they send him back out
Plumber calls maker of water heater with faulty info and gets our warranty cancelled and insists it's overuse
He leaves, I call water heater company to work it out
They refuse - but the lady says, sounds like the screen is dirty
I clean screen
Water heater has been on for a week.

The lesson is this. When you don't know about something, don't presume you do. Originally, I thought it was the part they sent out first. Having it work for a month seemed to reinforce that theory. In recalling what the water heater company initially stated, I was supposed to vacuum something out. I just presumed to understand that. I just cleaned out around the bottom...not touching the screen.

I think it's more evidence that God exists. This type of problem is the reverse of how I was feeling toward others. In the frustrations and experiences from previous blog posts, you may be able to tell that. God does love me for He chastises whom He loves. It's a wonderful life lesson. Thank you Lord.

Colorado Rapids and 2 Tagg boyz

My boys got to experience a professional soccer game in a whole new light. They escorted the players on the field!! It was extremely exciting. The Rapids were playing Real Salt Lake. It ended in a 1-1 tie....but the boys didn't care, they were in a daze the whole game from the experience. They each received a youth jersey, shorts, a ball, scarf and walking on the field standing with the players through the star spangled banner.

See if you can spot the boys...they are wearing light blue:



JD did not take off his jersey for 3 days!!

A dream

I don't put a lot of stock in dreams. I have some pretty goofy ones that don't make a lot of sense. However, this dream really got my attention.



I was on a plane or in a waiting room and we were all waiting to see Jesus. As I walked in I was overcome with shame and couldn't really even look at Him. He walked around filling peoples glass with a drink of some sort. As I held up my glass, He poured a few drops and that was all. I immediately started sobbing.



There were other things, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about the part I just wrote.



It has revealed a lot to me about my own spiritual life. What if it were you? How are things going in your spiritual walk? If you were in a room with Him, would you be overcome with guilt about things that you know you are doing right now? (Or not doing)

How do you make things better?

You can’t…

 

No matter what experiences you’ve had, those in charge are always too proud to change no matter what. There are a few exceptions, very few from all I’ve met or heard about. It’s because we’re dealing with people. And sadly, for the most part, people are difficult to work with due to pride and fear.  The fear part is what I would say would be fear of man. “What would they think of me!!?!?? “  I am absolutely, positively sure I am the same way.

 

It’s SUPER FRUSTRATING…but, I guess it’s life. If you’ve read any of my blog in the past, there are several issues that I think can be better…but, at this point have resolved that people care more about themselves than the institution or  improvement and, as of now (at least for now! ;-) ) I quit trying to impose my improvements or ideas.

 

Time to move on.

 

Now, why would I blog about that? Well, because the revelation came to me that makes this not really a big deal (kinda). See, God would have the same problem with me. But, he is longsuffering, patient and merciful.  I prayed that He would help me be humble and patient.  And, if I am (still) praying about those 2 things, I must not have those 2 traits. So, I am going to try to just overlook anything or any system going on that I “think” could use the “Tagg touch” and just lay it at the feet of Jesus.

 

I would like to say I feel liberated…but, I am still frustrated…hopefully, silently frustrated…and improving. Just do what I can do where I can and try my best.

 

<sigh>

 

Renewing your mind continues

I was talking to my very wise wife about the whole struggle with worldliness and the concept of renewing your mind at a luncheon in Saskatoon. It was a conference for stubborn people. Ok, none of that was true. However, I did ask my wife where she thought I was weak in my Spiritual walk. She was quick to have an answer. Too quick actually. Kind of like she had been thinking about it for years and I finally asked...



Anyway, her answer was sort of a surprise. She said "renewing your mind". She means the constant study of scripture. She also said I relied on my memory too much and my memory is not as good as it used to be. This is what scripture means when it says "faithful are the wounds of a friend".. Or, at least that's what I REMEMBER it says. That was wonderful insight from her. My memory used to be excellent... I survived highschool by my memory...it's full of songs from the 80's...and full of movies that I thought were good...it's also full of the good and bad of growing up.



If a popular song from the 80's pops on, it's amazing how I can recall the words and melody. I think it's that way for most people. There was something critically amazing at that time of my life where everything "stuck". That reminds me of another truth in scripture "teach them the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it." This is in reference to someones bent or preference... But, perhaps there's more to it than meets the eye.



If I had spent time filling my brains with Godly things then, I wonder if that would come to me as easily as every Bon Jovi song?



There are other scritpures that reference "hiding God's word in your heart." That surely means memorization, right?



So, back to renewing. How can something static in your head be constantly renewed? I am reminded of software upgrades. Those are installed on a computer system to go from the ol' 1.0 version to the new and improved 2.0... It's packed with new features and corrections to the old 1.0. It's wonderful!!! However, it usually brings along it's own baggage and problems that haven't been brought to light to it's developers and those issues will be dealt with in a later release. And so on and so on.



So, our mind get's pummeled with new versions everyday and I suppose God's Word is the hot fix service release for our brains and spirit. To correct how that new information intermingles with the old and bring us from conforming with the world to the new improved person we need to be.



Rinse, Lather, Repeat.



Well, I'll let you know how the install of taggdaddy 2.0 is coming along.

I've got it all figured out

Yep, I have arrived. There’s nothing in scripture that I struggle with and the world is not a temptation. I am raising my kids perfectly and everything is blessed that I put my hands to. I correctly discern scripture accurately and authoritatively like I hear Jesus telling me exactly what He meant.

 

Do you ever think that? I am sure that’s the desire of every full blooded believer.  I really want to… but,  obviously I can’t (can anyone really?). In fact, I would have to say that even though I feel the joy of victory over my own soul and salvation…I worry,  I fail, and I really struggle. Don’t get me wrong…I think I can honestly say that I have been severely, catastrophically, phenomenally blessed. Even in the tragedies I look back and see a few building blocks that God has laid down in the construction of my life and building of my character. But, there are those things that just resonate a fear or a doubt or a question. Not often about my faith..but, about things of faith. Things that only conviction seems to speak to. No one can come up to you and say “yes” or “no” to these types of topics. Well, I guess they can, but they are often dismissed as legalistic zealots.

 

Here are some examples:

Fruit of the womb – it’s clear that the Lord considers children a blessing. Is there a directive that we give Him the womb? Is birth control good or bad?

You are what you eat – there are many dangers and unknowns with certain foods and God warns us of those. Is there are requirement that we avoid them or is there freedom to enjoy? Or both?

Sanctification – being set apart. Are we still to be Holy? What is the requirement of Holiness? What does Holiness look like in 2008.

 

While I believe that God is full of good advice to the health of our bones and joy in our lives (among many other things)…We often just pick and choose what we want. Things that we think will benefit us. But there are so many questions. God even says it’s easy…His yoke is easy, His burden is light…but, if we are doing whatever we want to do…what are we laying at the feet of Jesus? What burdens are we casting upon him? The burden of diet coke or water? Or, the burden of being yoked by what to eat and what not to eat?... To wear a costume or give candy or separate yourself from something with the appearance of evil? What is the burden really?

 

I have seen a few of the Ron Bell (or Rod) Nooma videos. This is a guy that is attracting the younger generation with his teachings…one thing that I’ve noticed from that is that he encourages people to be more worldly and get along with the world. It seems that so many totally dismiss being a stumbling block because it’s not their problem. From my observations, most of the folks that disregard what the world, believers or not, think believe that they have it “figured out” or have grown past a faith that has “rules”. The principle argument being justification due to others weaknesses and not knowing who they might cause to stumble. In one of the videos from Bell, he was basically chastising the man telling people they are sinners because nobody wants to hear that. So, we’ve arrived at catering to the emotions of the lost…to their own demise in fear of hurting their feelings.

Well, I am starting to ramble some… but, here are some lyrics to a song that seems appropriate for how I feel about this (specifically the 5^th line from the bottom to the bottom)

What this world needs is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind
Another two bit politician peddling lies
Another three ring circus society
What this world needs is not another sign waving super saint that's better than you
Another ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth
Another prophet in an Armani suit

What this world needs is a Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love them in their time of need
A Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love
That's what this world needs

What this world needs is for us to care more about the inside than the outside
Have we become so blind that we can't see
God's gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt
What this world needs is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance
Blending in so well that people can't see the difference
And it's the difference that sets the world free

Jesus is our Savior, that's what this world needs
Father's arms around you, that's what this world needs
That's what this world needs

 

The song is by Casting Crowns and is called “What this World Needs” .. the song has a really cool speaking part too..very relevant to this post.

 

Watch this video…the guy that’s talking is an aethiest…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INttODEPzp0&eurl  found this on a friends blog…good stuff.