My Year Listening to God

photo by dawnsy58

I awoke to the sounds of a cardinal chirpin' in the trees outside my window. His piercing calls poked at me, to get out of bed. I arose and went to read the portion set out for my in my plan.

In my readings today, I reviewed the curse on Adam after his disobedience. Painful toil--that was his lot until his death. That is my lot until my death. That is your lot until your death. Pretty challenging, but realistic (from a biblical worldview).

I find it challenging to engage work everyday. I know people complain about work. As I go from place to place, I've asked tellers, cashiers, and laborers how work is going. I've heard great laments to a resignation that work gets me a paycheck that I get to blow.

I was at the checkout at Walmart today and the cashier greeted me (I checked that she did on the survey as I scanned my credit card). She is looking forward to working third shift. I worked third shift at a driveshaft plant for Dana Corp. I worked hard, but I did not want third shift. My goal and everyone else's was to land on first shift. Yet here is a woman wanting, begging, looking forward to third shift. I guess the painful toil of labor has even deluded the Walmart worker. She warmly exit greeted me and Melissa, my wife. Then we went home.

I am struck by the strenuous nature of work. I have on my shelf a book to read by Larry Winget, It's called work for a reason! I hope to get more insight into what he means and possibly learn how people deal with the toilsome labors of everyday life and strive to be successful. The working man or woman needs only to blame ol' Adam for falling from a painless workfree existence, all because of his sinful actions.

Since then, work has always been hard. Work has shaped me, chiseled me, wrung me out, flogged me, burnt me, scewerd me, deflated me, beat me, and left me for dead. When I've put my back into work, I've truly labored hard. I have Adam to blame for work being hard. So as I take a few days off this week. I don't look forward to getting back to work. I know that it's going to be hard. Why did you do this to me, Adam?

Wisdom for your life

Photo from National Geographic

My readings in Proverbs is coming to a close. On June first I will begin a year reading through the Bible. You may wonder why a minister, a pastor, a member of the clergy is reading through the Bible (my facebook page). You may ask, "don'cha already know the bible? You did graduate with many degrees of divinity and theology?"

Yeah. But I need a fresh dose of the Bible again. In my spiritual journey I discover that I need variety and a challenge. I will be following the through the Bible in a year format but i am adjusting it to fit my year. So I've adapted an online schedule to suit my need.

In my reading today, I am amazed at a lot of things. Agur, a wise man referenced in Solomon's book of Proverbs was also amazed at four things;

"There are three things which are too wonderful for me, four which I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the middle of the sea, and the way of a man with a maid
(Proverbs 30:18-19)."

I don't understand a lot of things. But as I make time to reflect. I discover some amazing things. One of those is the way of an eagle in the sky. As a teen, I watched a golden eagle soaring the in the sky. At first I thought it was a crow or raven, but my father corrected me. "It's a golden eagle, son. You can tell by its flight (pattern), its size, and its silhoutte (plumage)."

I marveled at how my father could see those characteristics, but then I stared at the sky for a few minutes scanning the celestial spaces, tracking the golden, dark spectre spanning the skies above me. The more I observed, the more I understood what dad said. The more I stood amazed, the more I grew in understanding.

In a way I was jealous of that taloned aviator. I wished I could float on the thermals, to mount on wings over the high desert of New Mexico. To look down and over the barren land with regal stature. Wow! I was amazed and still am amazed at God's creation.

God made great things in creation. That's what my pastor, Pastor Bob will share this weekend in our services on Sunday. You may listen to his message on our website. The main truth is to honor and to enjoy your Creator while you're still young (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Though I am not "young" any more, I stilll honor and enjoy the Creator of my memories of golden eagles today.

I wonder if any of the things Agur mentions amazes you. Make a comment and let me know what amazes you.

The Lord Reigns

As I traveled early this morning from Columbus to Wooster, Ohio, I thank God for traveling with me. It was starting to snow and to accumulate on the roadways. Yet God helped me stay alert and to keep the car on the road. All praise to God!

I marveled at the snow. The precipitation honors God. Although I may desire that Spring begin soon, this snowfall praises the Lord. I forget that. God created the snows for His glory. Yes, it may aggravate me as I travel through it. But God reigns. He rules over all. He set the boundaries of nature. The psalmist in chapter 96 says these words about the Lord's sovereingty, "Say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.' Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice..." Even when the snow flies, the Lord reigns. I believe the Lord releases the flurries and snowfall to honor Himself. He controls everything in creation, especially precipitation. He rules over it all. He reigns.

Because God reigns, I can praise Him. I will honor Him. May you take a moment to reflect on God's sovereign power over you today as you act like a child for a moment--gape wide and "taste" a snowflake or catch a flake and marvel at its uniqueness. Creation reflects the Creator. I choose to honor the Creator today!

Cross-cultural challenges

I ponder my own ethnic background with interesting emotions. I have pride, gratitude, and a sense of obligation. God birthed me into my Native American heritage. I am Navajo. God made me Navajo.

As I seek to lead others to engage in cross-cultural missions I need to consider what I am asking them to do. I need to equip them to engage stepping over boundaries--their own boundaries and leap out of their own comfort zone.

I received a link to a short article which informs me how I can help others engage in cross-cultural ministry. Jeff Yourison shares how to open the door to diversity. He gives some simple things to consider or to answer as each person engages in cross-cultural ministries:

1. Take stock of your current attitudes.
2. Be aware of your own ethnicity.
3. How do you act when you are the minority?
4. What biblical truths help you engage those of a different culture?

He cites two other articles which you can read for further insight. Both articles take the perspective of college campuses however you can apply them to the city or county at large.

God is prompting me to learn more about diversity and reaching out to the lost and the lonely who need God's love and God's people to make them feel and be included in God's forever family. The lost and lonely only need an invitation. Step out of you comfort zone and minister to those around you.

New Year Starting

The new year has started and I want to know God better. As I reflect on my personal spiritual goals I desire the following:

As a man of God I will honor God in my life by continuously developing a deepening love for God so that my family remembers me as a fully devoted follower of Jesus and as a patriarch of faith in Christ for positive influcence towards their own salvation and for godly impact towards their own growth in Christ.

My heart is excited for the new ministry opportunities awaiting me this coming new year. I plan to read a chapter of Proverbs each day and five psalms per day. I need input from God's Word to properly focus my life.

I'll keep you up to date on what God is teaching me throughout this transition year.

Ongoing Journey

One of the valuable things in life is time to think. I am one who likes to mull over things before sharing what's going on in my head. I've been on a quest lately to discover what and where God wants me to do to serve Him.

I've been given a great opportunity to explore options and to investigate fully opportunities over the past six months. I am grateful to Northwest Chapel for helping me on my journey.

God does speak to individuals. He has spoke to me. Over hours, days, months, and miles God has prompted my heart to transition out of Northwest Chapel to pursue a missions pastor role in a multi-staff church where I can better utilize my gifts for advancing God's kingdom. As I shared with the leadership of Northwest Chapel:

I’ve been responsible to lead in many areas of ministry in our church where my biggest strength is seeing the big picture and how individuals can connect with the overall vision of the church. I am a voracious learner—by nature I love acquiring knowledge or new skills but I refuse to rush the process. I naturally identify with an individuals’ situation and seek to develop their gifts and talents. I have found a new ministry position in missions developing God’s church to impact the world where missions is a high value.

This is where the journey begins!