Babies first steps

A “Keeper” – those moments in life that we cherish. Seeing your daughter take her first steps. An extra special holiday. It may even be an event from your childhood, like the first time you rode your bicycle without training wheels.

We can’t plan these events. They just happen when we are experiencing life.

Hopefully your wedding day and graduation are keepers too. Sure, they are planned events that rock. Beyond these moments you never know when a keeper will occur.

The key to experiencing the “keepers” in this world is to live life to the fullest. (Click To Tweet)
 
And to always be thankful.

What separates us most from these experiences?

Well, I try to keep busy. However, I know there is a point where I am too overloaded. It’s an evil lure. A keeper might happen when we’re hustling. However, often times were emotionally unavailable then. We’re disconnected from our friends and family. During these times the potential for memories pass us by.

“Cherish the fabulous, the fantastic, the beautiful, the graceful, the moments of abandon, laughter, quirkiness. Cherish the tiny incredible details, the gigantic & varied display, and the infinite depths – of life.” Jay Woodman

Now there’s perspective. From this mindset, we have much to be thankful for.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
and His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:4-5

Remain available with an eye open for the keepers in life and make yourself accessible to them. You may be surprised at how many you find!

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Bridging the gap. It’s an idiom used to connect two things, making the difference between them smaller.

Sometimes in life there is a gap. It may be the difference between something we learn and applying it. Or, it may have something to do with the future or uncertainty.

There are many examples.

For instance, when we walk across the street we bridge the gap with trust by believing the drivers are going to act in a certain way. Hopefully, in a manner so they will not run us over! On the road, we trust that drivers will stay in their lanes. We believe the airline pilot will be sober and alert.

To trust is to believe that someone is going to act in a particular manner.

“To maintain the relational integrity necessary to operate as a team, we must choose to trust and to be trustworthy as a team.” Andy Stanley

Andy describes how we use this concept to connect work teams with trust. Relational integrity… I like that!

The same is true in our interpersonal relationships outside of work. When we choose to trust, we bridge the gap of uncertainty for future actions. We believe the person who is trusted in going to do what is expected. When that doesn’t happen, we lose the relational integrity. The gap widens.

Conversely, when people do behave in a trustworthy manner, the gap closes in. It becomes smaller, and we move forward a step.

“Trust involves the juxtaposition of people’s loftiest hopes and aspirations with their deepest worries and fears.” Jeffry A. Simpson

There are trust and the gap again. This time, the gap is fear and worry.

Why do people have trouble trusting? For some, the benefits of closeness and intimacy are overshadowed by the possibility of pain and betrayal. Past experiences are often in play here.

Remember, bridges are built on piers or pillars. These foundational structures help the bridge handle the structural load. For us, in life, the pillars that hold up the bridge are often the positive, small baby steps we take in moving forward.

With God, we know we can trust Him to keep His promises. How does the Lord help us bridge the gap?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

God’s got your back. Establish safe boundaries. Taking the next step in life is easier with this assurance. I think that helps people of faith bridge the gap. With trust.

Image courtesy of John Spooner on flickr

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Is there intelligent life elsewhere? What does the Bible say about that? Did God create life on other planets?

Well, here goes my take on it:

An interesting concept of creation is that God created earth on the first day. Does that infer the earth is the center of all creation? He also created light on the first but didn’t work up the sun until the 4th day. While we currently revolve around the sun, that apparently wasn’t the case on days 1, 2 or 3. And where did the light come from before the sun?

Why did God create such a massive universe? Maybe to show us how omnipotent He is and to glorify Him. When I think about all that, He created it certainly focuses my attention to how awesome and great He is.

Do I believe there is intelligent life other than man and the animals? Yes. Why? Well, first off I believe in God. Ok, I know, no brainer. Other than the trinity? Yes. The Bible describes the angels, Seraphim, and Cherubim, right? I think they must all be intelligent.

The Angels are mentioned throughout the Bible. We all know what they are about. Wikipedia describes the angels as “often depicted as benevolent celestial beings who act as intermediaries between God or Heaven and Earth, or as guardian spirits or a guiding influence. Other roles of angels include protecting and guiding human beings and carrying out God’s tasks.

Next up, the Seraphim. Considered like an angel, they are only mentioned once in Isaiah. They are described as the “burning ones,” nobles, and the “ones of love.” They hover OVER the throne of God and are considered His personal attendants, continually glorifying and praising God. Their eternal song “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Again, we’re centering in on the earth.

Now, the Cherubim. These are the throne angels as they are seen AROUND God’s throne. Their role is to guard God’s holy domain and presence from any sin and corruption. Thus, they protect the Garden of Eden (Is it still here today?).

Hey what what about “The Four Living Creatures?” Hmmm. Well, the way I understand it this tetramorph  doesn’t come about until the apocalyptic end of this world and the universe as we know it. It’s described in the book of Revelation. It is said to be like a Cherubim with eyes all around, so we can assume this is an intelligent life as well. Or will be, when we get to the times described in Revelation Chapter 4. References to The Four Living Creatures are also found in the books of Ezekiel and Daniel. These seem to be visions of the same thing.

Scripture doesn’t say these intelligent life forms are just hanging around our planet. I’m confident if the Lord told an angel to head out to the Andromeda Galaxy the angel would have no problem making that journey.

What about Carl Sagan? Didn’t he prove there is extraterrestrial life? Well not exactly. Here’s a famous Sagan quote:

“I’m frequently asked, “Do you believe there’s extraterrestrial intelligence?” I give the standard arguments- there are a lot of places out there, the molecules of life are everywhere, I use the word billions, and so on. Then I say it would be astonishing to me if there weren’t extraterrestrial intelligence, but of course there is as yet no compelling evidence for it.
Often, I’m asked next, “What do you really think?”
I say, “I just told you what I really think.”
“Yes, but what’s your gut feeling?”
But I try not to think with my gut. If I’m serious about understanding the world, thinking with anything besides my brain, as tempting as that might be, is likely to get me into trouble. Really, it’s okay to reserve judgment until the evidence is in.”

Indeed, despite the years of research and a life dedicated to trying to find the answers, Sagan ended up saying we don’t know. Or do we? I guess Sagan came to that conclusion as he must have never accepted the presence of the Lord. I know, that’s not how we usually thing about “artificial intelligence” or the ET. If we think of an extraterrestrial being as one from outside the planet Earth, then we can list God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Seraphim, Cherubims, and the angels. Just saying. Perhaps Sagan was just looking in the wrong place?

With all that said it begs the question: Are we alone in the universe? No, we are not. However, I’m not looking for a bunch or space aliens, Martians or little green men to arrive. I don’t expect that will happen.

Is there intelligent life on other planets? The Bible doesn’t say. However, it is inferred that the earth and all of other planets and stars in the solar system will one day be destroyed, and a new earth and heaven will be created.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10.

I believe we are the sole beneficiaries of fellowship with God. While God certainly could have created other life forms, His timetable for the existence of the earth and our universe is directly tied to His itinerary for humanity. The Bible teaches that we were created in His image. When He did so, He gave us dominion over all things on earth. God created us out of His great love and to fulfill His eternal plan. We play a part in His plan, including defeating satan. Through the freedom of choice, we have an opportunity for eternal life through His “ministry of reconciliation.” How refreshing to know and to be a part of His plot with an eternal result.

Image courtesy of Adrian Senn on flickr.com

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Questions. A major turning point for me in my faith journey was when my faith grew more substantial than the issues I had. Questions? Yes, some of them I still have. Here’s one: Is there intelligent life elsewhere? That’s a pretty big concept to wrap my mind around. Are we alone in the plot with an eternal result? Let’s think this through and we’ll be coming back to that shortly.

Forging ahead to plot. It’s not super complicated. We have to think cause and effect here. It’s a series of events that make up a story and lead us to “and so.” You got it, babe, the climax of the tale. Many a novel follow the same general plot. The circumstances change, but the plot remains the same. There are even templates for Fiction plots. Many start off with character development; the conflict is introduced; rising action leading up to the climax, and then winding up the story. All the loose ends are tied up. Incomplete thoughts? Well, sometimes we do encounter them in a novel or movie, but we want to know how the story ends.

The power of story – so let’s take this notion and apply it to humanity. You know, the plot with an eternal result. Really? Yep, just wait. One cool aspect that I love about my church is that it is Gospel centered. We keep it simple. We learn how events that occur in the Old Testament will relate or point to the Gospel, and to Jesus. For example, many a Prophet offered the foreshadowing of Jesus’ arrival, ministry, and resurrection.

“The Old Testament is in the New revealed and the New is in the Old concealed.” Augustine

Jesus clearly says in Matthew 5:17 that He came to fulfill the foreshadowing through the Law and the Prophets.

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” Jesus, in Matthew 5:17

Moses is the clearest Old Testament person whom we can look to as one of the greatest types of Jesus. Time and again, Moses’ life story pointed us to Jesus through his faith and leadership. And where was the conflict introduced for humanity? Hmm, pretty early on right? Like in the Garden of Eden? Yes! The cross was the climax? Yes, the cross was the point from the very beginning. It was the fulfillment mentioned in Matthew 5:17. So now we’re just tying up the loose ends.

The power of truth…

So all that leads us back to this question: Is there intelligent life elsewhere? What does the Bible say about that? Did God create life on other planets?

This is part 1 of a 2 part series. Please check back next week for part 2.

Image courtesy of Adrian Senn on flickr.com

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Busy. Great! What does that really say? We’re all busy doing something, right?

We all want to be busy doing good things. However, we miss the point of interaction when we say “I’m busy!” Next time you’re tempted to say it consider what exactly are you so busy doing?

Being busy… I usually get caught up working on or trying to figure out something or another. Or cooking some awesome food. Exercise. Hanging out with friends or family. All good things, right? Watching TV? Not a habit of mine, but maybe that one is ok in moderation. Playing video games or the like? It’s entertainment, right? Reading God’s word? How many of us have good intentions here but when something else comes up we’re putting the Bible on the back burner, so to speak? If you’re so busy that you need a daytime and nighttime nanny to take care of your kids are you too busy? I’m just thinkin’ the answer could be affirmative… you’re too busy doing something other than savoring the moments with your family.

How about this one – have you ever told someone or even yourself “I’m too busy for ____!” Well, you just defined your priorities.

“Success ultimately comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” Henry David Thoreau

Ha! Great quote! This sounds like doing something one might enjoy to me because how do we define success anyway? So when it’s all said and done, will you be looking back and say you were successful in achieving your goals? Can you say that about last week or last year? If you watch ants move about they stay pretty busy building and carrying around breadcrumbs. They’ve reached their self-actualization or maximum level of achievement. It’s pretty basic for an ant, but how about me and you? The reality for us is a bit more complex.

Here’s something to consider: We live in an age of having vast information at fingertips. How many times a day do you Google? I Google’d this query (LOL) and found that the average person Googles 780 times a year. So more than a couple of times a day. Google’d what? Sure, I Google “Panama Geology” because I’m going there #onmission in a couple of weeks. In contrast, have you ever started looking something up and a couple of hours later realized that you just burned a bunch of time? Since I’m sometimes indecisive, I can look at shoes, sailboats, or even the best bug spray online for way too long. Is this a trap.. the evil lure of being busy? Hmmm…

If we consciously think about how we would choose to spend our time, and about those pesky distractions that draw us away, we can feel better about how we approach and execute in our day to day life.

“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” John Maxwell

It’s all a matter of perspective. And priorities.

Next time someone asks how are you and you’re busy doing good things with margin just say you’re awesome. And then take the time to interact…

Image courtesy of arbyreed on flickr

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When it’s all said and done, we walk about feeling inspired but that feeling is often lost in the daily minutia of life. I hear it all the time from people who ebb and flow. Those who are “onboard” Sunday but step off the path by mid-week. Is it just a function of putting Jesus in a box? Probably something like that.

It happens at work frequently, this notion of turning pain to gain. It’s called hard work. Whether you’re learning a new skill or maybe trying to meet a tight deadline, overcoming the learning curve or sweat equity results in a payoff. Achievement. Or advancement. When we try to take a shortcut, we often loose. The same is true when we give up.

This is also true in many sports: we advance to the next level whenever we experience pain. Pain comes along with growth and advancement in skill; we go farther. Or faster. Or score more…

There’s nothing more rewarding than running a race with painful endurance and closing the deal. Our cross country coach used to tell us everyone who participates is a winner. I like that thought.

“Some people want it to happen; some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” Michael Jordan

Jordan made it happen. He spoke of failure and not giving up. A lot. He also spoke of talent. Did MJ rely on talent to take him to the top? Certainly not. He also said, “The more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle.”

We turn that pain to gain when we follow Jesus. He came for a reason: so that we could have forgiveness for our sins. And eternal life. Why? Well, it’s a basic truth of turning pain to gain: there is no other way.

If you want to learn and grow surround yourself with the best players in the game. (Click To Tweet)

But wait, there’s something over and, above all, that… Jesus did something more in His “labor of love.”

“I have come so they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus

What’s that all about? While most of us are probably not going to pass from this life today, eternity starts now, not somewhere over the rainbow…

“The glory of God is man fully alive.” Saint Irenaeus

That’s it. You’ve been set up. Will you convert pain to gain? Will you live out “fully alive” today?

Image courtesy of wikipedia.org

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And so circumstance entices a decision: Should we make more memories?

Should we spend more time catching up?

Should we carry on…

I’m finding the only limiting factor is time. While we can’t make more time we do have a choice…

The blink of an eye… it only takes 1/3 of a second. That’s pretty fast.

Can I decide that quickly?

Is it worthwhile in the big picture of things?

Should I go with my gut?

The  only decision in making more…

Image courtesy of kannilc on flickr.com

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Processing Influence…

Will you influence other people? Absolutely. We all do. The question is HOW you will influence them. Here we find the most valuable consequence of influence… the ability to create positive change.

The secret to change is not resisting what we’re called to leave behind, it is the burning desire to build upon what is new. (Click To Tweet)

How did I get on this gravy train anyway?

The new year brings many people to some desired change, even if it is temporary. How do we as leaders muster up change… or, effectively, process influence? And so January began and I got to thinking about this…

The more I read the more intrigued I became. It seems two of the key ways to create or “process” influence are:

– Inspiration. When we share certain values or ideals, we can process influence by inspiring other people. If you follow me around on social media you are well aware this is a favorite activity of mine… sharing the stuff that I find inspiring. Inspiration is also a long-standing category here at I’m Just Thinkin’ – we call it “Soul Food.” All good stuff!

– Relationships.  Remember All Sorts And Conditions Of People: The 7 Essentials Of Extraordinary Relationships. Yep a relationship book written by yours truly. I am fascinated by people, personalities and the dynamics of relationships – be it at work, within a family, or when we socially engage. We influence the people around us, even those we casually encounter at the grocery store or gas station.

Inspiration and relationships… is this all sounding familiar now?

“Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another.” George Elliot

On a related note I wanted to give you a heads up on a change here at my blog: I have turned off comments.

Why?

Great question!

Here’s my take on the evolution of comments and influence:

– Comments were once thought of as a measure of the success of a blog. I started to wonder about this a couple of years ago… and so I changed some things around. Sure enough, others are dancing to the tune of the same drum. While comments afford a venue to build community, they are being replaced by interaction on social media. This is happening for a few reasons, but the important point is this: I appreciate community (remember I write a category that includes “unity”) and hope to continue to hear your feedback and carry forward conversation. My readership continues to grow and for that I’m very thankful. However, for the most part, my readers both loyal and sporadic, by and large don’t leave comments… and I’m ok with that. Think of it this way: would you rather have someone comment on your blog or share your post on FB or Twitter? I’ve been thinking the latter for some time now. It’s the mere circumstance of exposure. Seth Godin never had comments on his blog (He seems to be a pretty sharp guy). Are you catching my drift?

As a side note to all this I can’t even tell you how many books that Thomas Nelson Publishers and others provided to me in advance of their release. I gladly returned the favor by writing a review of them and graciously giving them to friends. All through that process we built influence and community. It was a win for everyone involved. That opportunity is still available to up and cummers. What comes around goes around…

– This has been a long time coming for me (pulling the comments). As I mentioned there are other like-minded writers… you can read about Michael Hyatt’s reasons here. While I successfully eliminated electronic or robot-generated comment spam from my world years ago, I still get them. When Michael says his 10 minutes a day culling the spam amounts to 60 hours a year… I’m getting on-board (though I don’t spend even that much time on mine). When friends ask me about the spam issue, “why do you get them?” there are only two scenario’s here… it really goes back to processing influence… remember, Jesus told us we would face resistance in the world today.

“Conversations matter. That doesn’t mean comments sections are the best place to have them.” Michael Hyatt

Influence is important and conversations matter. Curating a sense of community is important to anyone who chooses to be an agent to invoke positive change.

So we’ll continue to have the conversations…

Thanks for your interest in my writing. I hope you will continue to stop by to read here then share and discuss my content on social media.

Question: What do you think about “processing influence” and blogs without comments? You can share your thoughts on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.

Image courtesy of James Willamor on Flickr.com

The post Processing Influence first appeared on I'm Just Thinkin'.

The post Processing Influence appeared first on I'm Just Thinkin'.

To go shopping…

To be merry…

To make Figgie pudding…

Plus the standing rib roast… yes…

The 12 Scents Of Christmas…

How Do You Say Christmas? Another one to ponder that I have never written down. Well, today’s the day – here are my thoughts and Bible verses on how to explain what Christmas is about… all in one neat little package:

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:26-35

Next up for the angels: a vision in a dream to Joseph…

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25

I’m thinking the buy in from Mary and Joseph required extraordinary faith and obedience… and a little know how from the prophecy of Isaiah and Jeremiah… spoken hundreds of years earlier. The story of the coming Messiah…

And it came to pass in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2: 1-14

And so Jesus was born into mankind. Wholly man, wholly God. Love was born on that day. What? Yes, 1 John 4:8 says that God is love. But why did He come? To save all of humanity from their sins.

For the Son of man came to seek and to save what was lost. Luke 19:10

He gave us an opportunity, or choice… believe. That’s it, just believe. For the wages for sin are death, and all of humanity failed in that regard. There is no other way to the Father other than through Jesus.

And if you are interested in the perspective from heaven of the Christmas story, check it out in the book of Revelation Chapter 12. Wait what what? Yes, you can understand it from a heavenly perspective… if you find Revelation to be confusing try this video – explains it perfectly.

“From a heavenly perspective, Jesus isn’t simply a cuddly little baby born into a silent night, but God’s Almighty Son sent behind enemy lines on a rescue mission.” Joby Martin

And so on Christmas a child is born, our Savior. The story of his life continues through Easter, when we remember His death and resurrection. Continues? Yes, continues and points to Jesus… on into eternity.

How do you say Christmas? Are you prepared to share the story of what Christmas is all about?

image courtesy of Dilly Dul on G+

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Bilbo B. wasn’t exactly gifted for an adventure… he simply went along with a game-changing calling.

Here’s my go at the Gospel:

God created the world. He also created man in his image. When he created man, he gave us a gift: free will, or the freedom to make choices. “The fall of man” occurred in the Garden of Eden shortly thereafter when Adam and Eve exercised their free will and sinned, following the instruction of satan disguised as a snake, and disobeying God. Therein lies the problem – the wage for disobedience or sin is death and eternal separation from God. We, as humanity, have royally messed up. Since Adam and Eve, all of humanity has fallen short… we’re all sinners in need of a Savior… there is no other way.

Fortunately, our God is a loving God. So, he sent his son, Jesus, to live a perfect, sinless life on earth in the flesh as a man and to die on a cross as a substitute for our sin, thus providing an opportunity for us. Again, there is no other way. Jesus didn’t come into our world to make bad men good. He came into our world so that dead men can live. Thankful.

Jesus reigns in heaven at this time called the church age and offers us forgiveness for our sins. When we repent from our sins and believe in him we all can have eternal life… If that is our choice. Here’s another cool part of the story: when we belong to God and are a part of His family the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Our human body actually becomes a temple where our living God dwells.

Can you dig it? Or maybe I should say can you feel Him within?

How would you explain the Gospel?

Image courtesy of Jim Pennucci on creativecommons.org

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