Do you dream?
I do.
Sometimes it's the "sleepy-time" dream I get when the voices around me are fading out as I drift into unconsciousness. Then there's the "I'm dead asleep" dream, and the faces and colors and movements and contours seem so real that it takes a startled jump to assure me it isn't so. And probably my favorite...the "if it could be" dream. When I'm wide awake, it's this dream that lures me into planning and hoping for the future. It's here that possibility overrides logic and says anything is possible. Frogs become princes, seven layer chocolate cake has zero calories and I become president for a day. In this world, reality is what I choose for it to be...what I dream it would be...what I deem it is.
But in reality...this isn't reality. It's a dream that appeases my desires and always makes me right and happy and satisfied.
And it is not true.
We live in a postmodern culture. Subconciously, we've adopted the mindset that reality is what's real to me and tolerance is accepting the sinner and the sin (note: as Christians we should accept sinners, but "okaying" sin is another story). Our logic doesn't stand on facts and actualities, but rather, it's tainted by our slanted perceptions. "If it's what I believe, then it must be right" screams from the life decisions we make, the clothes we wear and the causes we support. What we've failed to realize...
...it's a lie.
To be postmodern is to forgo freedom. Living entangled in sin doesn't free us, but binds us to the consequences of our actions. Sure, you might argue that you'd proudly claim the title, and you're not a sinner. I'm no different from the guy next door, you say.
You're probably right. You, your neighbor, the guy in the cubical at work, the coffee shop barista and that cutie you've been crushin'...and me...we're all alike. We are all tempted. We all struggle. We all screw up. Don't you see, we're all the same.
We're all the same except for this one thing.
The difference between today's postmodern and yesterday's Christian: they have different dreams, because they operate in different realities. The Christian operates in absolute Truth. The postmodern lives lost in the truth of his own creation.
When we decide to live life based on our emotions and feelings, from situation to situation, we fail to see the truth around us. Absolute Truth claims there is one God and His Word is a guidebook for right living. Don't misunderstand, dream big dreams that only God can accomplish, but live in a reality that accurately portrays Truth.
I know...I know...sometimes "my" reality is easier to stomach, easier to understand and simpler to live out. But "the" reality promises life at it's fullest and us at our best.
So tell me, what's your reality?
Monday, July 13, 2009
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Gate
The clock on the bottom of my laptop reads 11:22 p.m. And I'm trying to think how I can best articulate the thoughts I hope to share with you this late in the evening. You see, I've just finished reading an email I received in my inbox last week from one of my girlfriends. It talked about this crippled beggar in Acts 3.
Peter and John are on the way to the temple, and they pass this physically disabled guy by the temple gate. Now this temple gate just so happens to be called Beautiful. I mean, picture it--you're walking with a few friends to a local restaurant for dinner, and you pass a homeless guy on the side of the street. I don't know about you, but my first inclination is to turn my head the other way, to ignore his shabby, unclean appearance. But like the beggar in the story, this homeless guy takes a risk and asks if you can spare some change for a cup of coffee.
Now if we do the typical thing, we decline his request. We keep walking, because we have better things to do...we have somewhere to be...we have our stomachs to feed. And yet, I wonder how often we feel like the beggar--ugly, unattractive, broken, friendless, hopeless, and unworthy?
We live in a culture that cries out for independence, but turns around and dictates our acceptability based appearance. Our self-worth, despite gender, is wrapped up in societal standards, and because we don't know how to healthily view ourselves, we believe our value is contingent on our physical appearance. I know this...because I struggle with it.
This continual battle of self vs. Vogue or GQ tears at our inner value, leaving it null-n-void. It causes us to doubt our abilities, and faults us into believing that having a significant other is our "cool" card in life. If I have someone, than I must be somebody. But what they don't tell you in the magazines with the hot models is what to do when you breakup with your "other," your parents get a divorce, you lose your job, you think for the tenth time that day how undesirable you are, you flunk your econ test, and the list goes on.
I'm tired of feeding the mental lies that I'm not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, strong enough....to be worthy of living confidently, full of purpose and meaning. And I know that I'm not the only one who falls victim to this self-defeated battle.
Guy or girl, single or married, graduate or student, employed or unemployed, Christian or non Christian--we all struggle with this societal plague. But I can't help but wonder what would happen if we decided to be like the beggar and quit sitting at the gate of Beautiful, and instead, decided to stand up and walk inside. I think, then, we'd experience the fullness life is meant to carry through an intimate relationship with Christ.
Let me hear your comments. I'm listening.
Peter and John are on the way to the temple, and they pass this physically disabled guy by the temple gate. Now this temple gate just so happens to be called Beautiful. I mean, picture it--you're walking with a few friends to a local restaurant for dinner, and you pass a homeless guy on the side of the street. I don't know about you, but my first inclination is to turn my head the other way, to ignore his shabby, unclean appearance. But like the beggar in the story, this homeless guy takes a risk and asks if you can spare some change for a cup of coffee.
Now if we do the typical thing, we decline his request. We keep walking, because we have better things to do...we have somewhere to be...we have our stomachs to feed. And yet, I wonder how often we feel like the beggar--ugly, unattractive, broken, friendless, hopeless, and unworthy?
We live in a culture that cries out for independence, but turns around and dictates our acceptability based appearance. Our self-worth, despite gender, is wrapped up in societal standards, and because we don't know how to healthily view ourselves, we believe our value is contingent on our physical appearance. I know this...because I struggle with it.
This continual battle of self vs. Vogue or GQ tears at our inner value, leaving it null-n-void. It causes us to doubt our abilities, and faults us into believing that having a significant other is our "cool" card in life. If I have someone, than I must be somebody. But what they don't tell you in the magazines with the hot models is what to do when you breakup with your "other," your parents get a divorce, you lose your job, you think for the tenth time that day how undesirable you are, you flunk your econ test, and the list goes on.
I'm tired of feeding the mental lies that I'm not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, strong enough....to be worthy of living confidently, full of purpose and meaning. And I know that I'm not the only one who falls victim to this self-defeated battle.
Guy or girl, single or married, graduate or student, employed or unemployed, Christian or non Christian--we all struggle with this societal plague. But I can't help but wonder what would happen if we decided to be like the beggar and quit sitting at the gate of Beautiful, and instead, decided to stand up and walk inside. I think, then, we'd experience the fullness life is meant to carry through an intimate relationship with Christ.
Let me hear your comments. I'm listening.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Robbie Seay Concert
Check out the Robbie Seay Concert & College Kickoff:
- What's the date? Friday, September 12, @ 7 p.m. in Crossings Community Church's Gym
- How Much? Cost: $7 for the concert; get your ticket at crossingsokc.org or at the door
- What is it? College Kickoff to follow--enjoy a conversation with Robbie, free food, and sweet giveaways on the 3rd floor.
- Where it's at? 14600 N. Portland Ave. ~ Oklahoma City, OK 73134
- Questions? 302.1225
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
distracted.
Ok so has anyone ever noticed how sometimes when you walk into a room that has the television on you forget about what it is was you were doing before you walked into that room? And then fifteen minutes later it's like you wake up and realize that there is life going on around you and you just zoned out.
Its amazing to me how television is like an uncontrollable force in our lives!
For the past two days in a row I have sat in the living room at my parents house and done absolutely nothing but watch television. I justified my actions by saying that I have gone nonstop for three weeks in a row and needed some down time - which is true for the most part - but still, Im positive that there are much more productive things I could have done. What did people do before television? I come home in the evening and turn it on and don't move from that couch until David Letterman comes on and its time to go to bed... Is there nothing else I could have done for four hours?
I think my thought behind all of this television talk is that in the past two days I have come to the realization that the tv controls much of how I think, and act, and talk... And that is all due to how much time I spend watching it... And don't get me wrong, I am not bashing on television here, I love television as much as the next person... But it got me thinking about how different of a person I would be if I gave God's Word as much time as I give television. Do I trust Gods Word to be as powerful and transforming in my life as I do the tv? Maybe you don't watch that much television, but my guess would be that there is a "television god" for everyone of us. Anyone have any thoughts?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Bowl at Boulevard
August 23...check it out...
Join us for cosmic bowling at Boulevard Lanes in Edmond from 10 p.m. to 12 midnight. Cost is $8 and includes shoes. Grab a friend!
Join us for cosmic bowling at Boulevard Lanes in Edmond from 10 p.m. to 12 midnight. Cost is $8 and includes shoes. Grab a friend!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Epedmeic.
There’s a pinch on the left side of my neck. I’m fully reminded of its presence at the limit of my mobility to turn my head. How old am I again, I ask myself? Despite my youth, there are days when I already feel like my life’s sped ahead to 50 years old—not that it’s an old age—it’s just not my age.
And then, of course, there’s this other “neck ache” possibility…this…this…”thing.” This “thing” gives you sweats and nightmares during the night, it steals away appetites and enhances others, it rumbles tummies and yes…it even gives neck cramps. Some call it a full schedule and one too many “I dos.” But its more common, everyday household name is…drum role, please…stress.
I wonder, what causes stress? Is it procrastination? What about devastation? Or maybe it’s magnification? (Sorry, the Dr. Seuss tirade has ended.) While I truly believe these options to be partly the flame that fans stressful moments in our lives, I can’t help but wonder how much patience or lack there of has to do with it.
You see, I’m a very impatient person. I like things the way I want them in the way I want them done when I want them done. Confused? You can relate. Surely I’m not the only lone soul who feels my agenda is better than God’s? Why is it that even though I know God’s plan and timeline is far greater than my concoction for life, I still battle to take hold of the reins and steer the horse, so to speak?
Lately, this is what I’ve been learning. Patience. Not patience that reluctantly and stubbornly accepts the time lapse between the asking and the getting, but patience that welcomes waiting…understanding that it’s not waiting at all. Rather, it’s recognizing that “in the wait,” there’s growth. God is trying to teach me something. He’s answering all those prayers I’ve prayed to look more like Him, to sound more like Him…to be more like Him.
But am I listening to the voice of growth or am I just hearing?
I’m not a patient person, but I’m not a masseuse either (clearly, because my neck cramp would be gone by now). Sometimes we do the things we don’t want to do to get the outcome we need to fully understand that life isn’t all about me. And just because I think I can’t, doesn’t mean I can’t. Just because I haven’t before, doesn’t mean I won’t.
What is God teaching you? Are you listening or just hearing?
Watch out, there’s a neck cramp epidemic going around!
And then, of course, there’s this other “neck ache” possibility…this…this…”thing.” This “thing” gives you sweats and nightmares during the night, it steals away appetites and enhances others, it rumbles tummies and yes…it even gives neck cramps. Some call it a full schedule and one too many “I dos.” But its more common, everyday household name is…drum role, please…stress.
I wonder, what causes stress? Is it procrastination? What about devastation? Or maybe it’s magnification? (Sorry, the Dr. Seuss tirade has ended.) While I truly believe these options to be partly the flame that fans stressful moments in our lives, I can’t help but wonder how much patience or lack there of has to do with it.
You see, I’m a very impatient person. I like things the way I want them in the way I want them done when I want them done. Confused? You can relate. Surely I’m not the only lone soul who feels my agenda is better than God’s? Why is it that even though I know God’s plan and timeline is far greater than my concoction for life, I still battle to take hold of the reins and steer the horse, so to speak?
Lately, this is what I’ve been learning. Patience. Not patience that reluctantly and stubbornly accepts the time lapse between the asking and the getting, but patience that welcomes waiting…understanding that it’s not waiting at all. Rather, it’s recognizing that “in the wait,” there’s growth. God is trying to teach me something. He’s answering all those prayers I’ve prayed to look more like Him, to sound more like Him…to be more like Him.
But am I listening to the voice of growth or am I just hearing?
I’m not a patient person, but I’m not a masseuse either (clearly, because my neck cramp would be gone by now). Sometimes we do the things we don’t want to do to get the outcome we need to fully understand that life isn’t all about me. And just because I think I can’t, doesn’t mean I can’t. Just because I haven’t before, doesn’t mean I won’t.
What is God teaching you? Are you listening or just hearing?
Watch out, there’s a neck cramp epidemic going around!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
What's Up at The Wharf...
Upcoming events at The Wharf:
This Saturday (June 28) at 12:15 we will meet at CCC to carpool to the OKC food bank to serve there, we will return to CCC at 3:30...
That evening we will meet back in the foyer of CCC at 5:30 to go to Celebration of Freedom together...
Sunday (June 29) meet at CCC at 4:30 to carpool to Warren Theaters in Moore to see GetSmart, you will need: $7 + cost of food at theater :: student id (for discount) :: a smile (its more fun that way)
July Community Group : Begins July 6 at 6 p.m. in the pavillion at CCC :: Topic = "Isolation Play - Putting on the full armor of God" - you bring yourself, we provide the fun, the dessert, and the volleyball...
