For those of you who know me realize that I probably could never be mistaken for a contractor or builder, which is probably wise that I choose sales as my profession. However, even I know that one of the very basics of building anything is to start with a strong foundation or cornerstone (there's our word) to build upon. In 1 Peter 2:4, it describes Jesus as a "living stone" and in 1 Peter 2:6 it states "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious..." Is Jesus my cornerstone? Lets get back to that in a bit...
As I listen to this being preached on Sunday the obvious question that came to mind is what kind of foundation have I built my life and my families life on? What is the one thing or things that are the crucial stone or cornerstone that is evident in my life? If this is evident based on my actions or responses it could be a wide range of things, some good some bad. Worry, pride, stress, possessions, identity, Jesus, The Bible, relaxation, anger, to name just a few. However, can I put my finger on the one cornerstone?
Now, back to my original question. If I say that Jesus is my cornerstone and my true identity, shouldn't Jesus show up somewhere in my life? In other words, shouldn't the stones in my life that are connected to the cornerstone (which is everything) represent Jesus? Do I daily remember that my true identity is in Christ and that we who call Jesus our Lord and Savior are part of a Royal Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9)? Maybe this explains why so many times in a week, month, year that life seems to be so out of control or fragile that it feels like breaks or stones are about ready to break. When I choose to go it alone and to try to "build" things on my own, why am I so surprised when they start crumbling?
We don't have to worry about coming up with a answer to who our cornerstone is because our words, works and wealth will reflect this.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Grace....again!
"God drops grace into our lives to show us a glimpse of where we will be going" (Mark Driscoll '09) Am I a grace seeker? Anyone who has spent a good amount of time with me can answer that question without much of a thought. One of the many, many things I love and admire about Buttercup is that she has a way of speaking truth (yes, there is such a thing) into my life about what I need to work on. Being truthful, there are time (most) that I don't appreciate it at the moment, but can look back and see where her heart is and the reason she is so bold about it. This is a reoccurring subject in the Otis/Buttercup household. My lack of grace can usually can be seen in how I react or act towards Buttercup, my daughters, friends and family.
Grace is also tied to hope. which can be described as confident security. This leads to another thought. Is the reason that I struggle with showing Grace because I don't have hope? In myself, in others, in general? Wait, this also can be tied to Faith (see previous post). Is it just me, or are you seeing a trend here? Grace, hope, faith all are related to the heart. I know that even though I have a public education, I can at least see that trend. OK, so these are related now what? It seems like I continue to come back to this same well, over and over again.
What prevents me from showing Grace to those that I love and care for? Why is it that this is not something that comes to mind first, instead of anger, frustration or impatience? Maybe I don't truly appreciate the Grace that has been shown me from God and others. You would think that a person who makes as many mistakes over and over again and struggles in may areas as I do, would understand the importance of expressing Grace to others.
As I think about how I can change this trend I plan on integrating the following three questions into my daily life as a barometer of have I am doing in this area:
1. How is my hope?
2. Where is my faith?
3. Am I being a grace seeker?
Grace is also tied to hope. which can be described as confident security. This leads to another thought. Is the reason that I struggle with showing Grace because I don't have hope? In myself, in others, in general? Wait, this also can be tied to Faith (see previous post). Is it just me, or are you seeing a trend here? Grace, hope, faith all are related to the heart. I know that even though I have a public education, I can at least see that trend. OK, so these are related now what? It seems like I continue to come back to this same well, over and over again.
What prevents me from showing Grace to those that I love and care for? Why is it that this is not something that comes to mind first, instead of anger, frustration or impatience? Maybe I don't truly appreciate the Grace that has been shown me from God and others. You would think that a person who makes as many mistakes over and over again and struggles in may areas as I do, would understand the importance of expressing Grace to others.
As I think about how I can change this trend I plan on integrating the following three questions into my daily life as a barometer of have I am doing in this area:
1. How is my hope?
2. Where is my faith?
3. Am I being a grace seeker?
Faith and a motorcycle
So I have been struggling for a long time or you could say that a major theme in my life is my issue of not having faith. No, I am not questioning my faith in God but rather the issue of why I tend to worry about everything instead of having faith. Although, one could argue that what kind of faith in God do I really have if instead of trusting fully in Him, I let the stress and worry about things overtake me to the point of frustration and possible many grey hairs! What makes this seem even worse is that faith seems to come much easier to Buttercup.
I tend to bottle my worries up inside until they are peculating within me and usually they get released on whomever seems to be in front of me at that moment. I was taught when I was a kid and continue to be reminded that you can only worry about what you can control and to give it all to God. Easier said than done, if you ask me! There seems to be so many examples recently where others are going through much worse things that I am but seem to exhibit a mountain more faith that I have. You don't have to look very far to see this, if you open up any newspaper or on the web, you will find another stat about a company closing their doors or laying up a large portion of their work force. I think of my dear friend Toirdhealbheach Beucail and the trial that he is going through right now, in looking for employment in such difficult times. I also think of my brother who is dealing with some very difficult relationships and the stress and worry that comes with it. Yes, there have been some changes to our home finances due to a pay cut and the slow economy hurting our compensation payout and raising two daughters, there never seems to be a lack of things that can consume my mind with worry. This includes future plans that Buttercup and I have in regards to home improvements, education, etc.
What does this have to do with a motorcycle, you may ask? I had the pleasure of going for a long ride last weekend (yes, we actually do see the sun every now and then). As I enjoyed the adrenaline that you find on a sport bike and the excitement of both taking the curves at a greater speed than you would in a car and the scenery that one finds on many of the winding, country roads in the area. I suddenly realized that being on my bike is one of the few things in my life that I don't tend to struggle with Faith. In a strange way that I can't really describe, I just have total faith when I am on my bike. Now, don't get me wrong the WA state drivers still freak me out at times but I still don't have a problem putting my faith into God's hands as I enjoy this testosterone driving activity.
I want to live a life where I can put my entire faith and being into God's hands and to be able to say "do with me as you will" with a open and generous heart. There are many signs and reminders of the things that God has done in my life but why is it that unless it smacks me in the mouth, I can't seem to remember that?
As it states in 1 Peter 3:7 that "our faith is more precious than Gold". This doesn't mean that we don't have reasons to be concerned or worried. In the previous verse it talks about grieving through our trials. I heard our Pastor describe it that we need to sometimes grieve down to the core of who we are and then rejoice in the mercies of God and what He has done for us and will continue to do for us. Grieve first for a little while, and then rejoice.
What can I do today to start building a deeper faith, one that is more valuable that anything I have or could every have within myself?
I tend to bottle my worries up inside until they are peculating within me and usually they get released on whomever seems to be in front of me at that moment. I was taught when I was a kid and continue to be reminded that you can only worry about what you can control and to give it all to God. Easier said than done, if you ask me! There seems to be so many examples recently where others are going through much worse things that I am but seem to exhibit a mountain more faith that I have. You don't have to look very far to see this, if you open up any newspaper or on the web, you will find another stat about a company closing their doors or laying up a large portion of their work force. I think of my dear friend Toirdhealbheach Beucail and the trial that he is going through right now, in looking for employment in such difficult times. I also think of my brother who is dealing with some very difficult relationships and the stress and worry that comes with it. Yes, there have been some changes to our home finances due to a pay cut and the slow economy hurting our compensation payout and raising two daughters, there never seems to be a lack of things that can consume my mind with worry. This includes future plans that Buttercup and I have in regards to home improvements, education, etc.
What does this have to do with a motorcycle, you may ask? I had the pleasure of going for a long ride last weekend (yes, we actually do see the sun every now and then). As I enjoyed the adrenaline that you find on a sport bike and the excitement of both taking the curves at a greater speed than you would in a car and the scenery that one finds on many of the winding, country roads in the area. I suddenly realized that being on my bike is one of the few things in my life that I don't tend to struggle with Faith. In a strange way that I can't really describe, I just have total faith when I am on my bike. Now, don't get me wrong the WA state drivers still freak me out at times but I still don't have a problem putting my faith into God's hands as I enjoy this testosterone driving activity.
I want to live a life where I can put my entire faith and being into God's hands and to be able to say "do with me as you will" with a open and generous heart. There are many signs and reminders of the things that God has done in my life but why is it that unless it smacks me in the mouth, I can't seem to remember that?
As it states in 1 Peter 3:7 that "our faith is more precious than Gold". This doesn't mean that we don't have reasons to be concerned or worried. In the previous verse it talks about grieving through our trials. I heard our Pastor describe it that we need to sometimes grieve down to the core of who we are and then rejoice in the mercies of God and what He has done for us and will continue to do for us. Grieve first for a little while, and then rejoice.
What can I do today to start building a deeper faith, one that is more valuable that anything I have or could every have within myself?
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