Unsatiated

The leech has two suckers that cry out, "More, more!"

There are three things that are never satisfied -

no, four that never say, "Enough!":

the grave,

the barren womb,

the thirsty desert,

the blazing fire.

~Proverbs 30:15-16 (NLT)

When I read this proverb this morning, I was captivated.  

I began to think about the idea of satiation.  This is defined simply as "the state produced by having had a specific need, such as hunger or thirst, fulfilled." (Dictionary.com)  The things referenced in the proverbs can never be satiated; they will always require more.  

We are beings that have moments of satisfaction.  We are hungry, we eat, and then we feel full.  We are thirsty, we drink, and then we are satisfied.  In time, the satisfaction dissolves, and we crave more.  If we repeat the cycle, we are satisfied again.

What if you had an addiction that left you with a feeling that you could never satisfy, not even for a moment?  Imagine for a moment that feeling of thirst after working outside.  Imagine if you could not get to a water source, but had to remain outside continuing to work; continuing to thirst.  Finally, someone brings you water, but the water is only a four ounce cup.  You drink, but you remain thirsty.  The desire for water never goes away.  If this went on all week, you would continually think about water.  You would constantly wonder when the next four ounce cup would come, knowing it would relieve the thirst, just a little bit.  Not much work could be done in these conditions.

An addiction takes hold of us in this same manner.  It doesn't matter what the addiction is.  What matters is that something has taken over our minds and/or bodies to consume us.  We long for the desired item, but it can no longer satisfy us.  It doesn't matter if someone tries to talk us out of the addiction, the longing is still there.  How do we overcome this?

I believe we are made to long for God.  We are made to never feel satisfied here.   The more I learn about God, the more I desire Him.  I long for the things in heaven that He promises.  I am never satisfied.  I believe my constant desire for the things of God has helped me manage my old longings for earthly things.  

I lift my hands to you in prayer.

I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.

~Psalm 143:6 (NLT)

Just for a Laugh

This just made me chuckle.  

How many of us use that bathroom mirror to get psyched for a challenge?  

A Lesson About Hope

Charles Xavier talks sense into his younger self

I went to see "X-Men: Days of Future Past" yesterday at my favorite movie theatre.  Normally I wait until a movie is out on Blu-Ray, to get the full experience via the closed captioning.  However, after reading the rave reviews, I just couldn't wait.  This one is definitely worth going to see at the theatre (especially if you have the special "Avon mix" popcorn - a blend of caramel, cheese and butter!).

Honoring our Veterans

I found this online recently, and it just seems like a great song to sing today.

Generalization

How can we tell if we truly learned something?  It isn't a rote memorization that helps us prepare for a test.  That kind of learning is easily forgotten.  How many of us can really recite all the presidents in order, or name all the state flowers?  Most of us forgot that stuff 20 minutes after we took the test.  We can truly know we learned a concept when we apply it outside of the context we learned it.  This is the concept of generalization.

For example, I once taught students who traditionally have difficulty learning new concepts.  To teach a new skill, I needed to break down a task, teach it repetitively, and in the setting the student was likely to use the skill.  I taught older students, so I focused on teaching the independent living skills they would likely need as adults.  We broke down the task of going to the grocery store into units of instruction.  For math, we worked on the concept of determining which item would be cheaper, and how to determine how many and which dollar bills to use to pay the cost.  For reading, we would work on the vocabulary words of food items, and have them write out a shopping list.  All of the units were taught in the classroom, but the real test for knowledge was if the student understood what to do in the store at the end of the week.

Graduation

Graduation.  This is a moment of life that brings many mixed feelings for all involved.  This is the time of transition for the child who finds himself graduated from high school, facing life as an adult.  Kids long for the day they no longer have to go to school.  Life ahead seems golden.  Parents face the challenge of the empty nest.  While facing uncertainty is inevitable, most people look forward to graduation as a sense of completion.  My own son graduated last year from high school and next year, will graduate simultaneously from the local community college and the Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) program at our church, preparing for some type of full-time ministry.

Finding Joy

Yesterday, I noticed I was a little grouchy and rather annoyed with almost everyone that I came upon (family, friends, and strangers in the store).  At first, I thought to myself, "Boy! Everyone sure is in a grumpy mood!"  Then, I realized the common denominator was me.

I was the Grouchy Ladybug (children's book by Eric Carlson).  I was the one that had a sour outlook on everything.  As the conviction took hold of me, I asked God to help me find joy in the moment.  I needed a smile to break my sour mood.

Just the very next moment, God fulfilled my need.  A car rolled past me with the happiest dog sticking his head out of the window.  I don't know what it is about dogs in cars, but they always makes me smile.

And, the rest of the day was great!

He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. 

~Job 8:21 (NLT)

Accommodations

Earlier this week, I spoke about the principle of Differentiation.  This is an educational word used to help teachers understand the individual learning needs of their students, so they can alter the curriculum, expectations, or assignments based on what the student himself needs.

I'd like to talk about accommodations today.  Accommodations are tools or assistance given to a person to help them access something or to do the essential functions of their job.  Everyone needs accommodations for something.  For example, there may be an item in a store I really want.  However, it is on the top shelf, and I cannot reach it.  I have to request a ladder to climb to get to the item, or a store associate to get it for me.  Without the accommodation, I would not have been able to access the desired item.

Equal is not Fair

"Fair is not always equal, and equal is not always fair." ~unknown

Have you ever wondered why some people are treated differently than others?  It's sometimes difficult to understand this, especially when you feel like you are the one getting the short end of the stick.

Last week, I spent some time in the book of Matthew.  The story of the landowner and workers struck me.  This is a parable found in chapter 20, verses 1-16.  If you would remember this story, it is the one that illustrates that no matter when the landowner hired the workers that day, he chose to pay for a full day's wages.

The ones working all day were very upset that the ones hired last were paid the same.  The response by the landowner was that the ones hired first had agreed to the wages when they were hired.  He went on to say that he has the right to pay people what he wishes.  He admonished them by saying they should not be jealous because he is choosing to be kind to others.

Life Lessons from a Starship Captain

I definitely have a favorite Star Trek Captain, Jean-Luc Picard.  I wrote about Picard in one of my earliest posts: Defeating Oppression.

I recently came upon this article of leadership lessons, and thought I would share.  The writer definitely captured the character traits I loved watching.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2012/03/13/five-leadership-lessons-from-jean-luc-picard/

No where in the series do we understand that Picard is a believer, but if you watched him, you would think we was.  His morality center was iron-clad.  He knew what was right and what was true, and he knew he must enforce those things, no matter the personal cost.

This is the morality standard I want to live by.  There is one God and one Truth.  There is right, and there is wrong.  Picard made mistakes he would regret, just like I do.  However, he did not live each day wavering his beliefs. I hope that I can do the same.  Let my decisions and my actions reflect my beliefs.

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. (2 Timothy 4:3, 4 NLT)

Without the foundation of Truth, we waver in our moral decisions. Stay grounded in the Word.

Honoring my Mothers

I am blessed with two mothers.

My mother's name is Karen, and she could be described as a person of great moral integrity.  She is very bright, and could grasp new concepts quickly, and would want to make sure everything is just right.  She is very private and would be mortified that I put her photo out here for everyone to see.  She loves my brother and I, but we didn't always hear about it.  She's a woman of few words, but every word spoken is one of wisdom and grace.

My other mother is my mother-in-law, Connie.  While she is a person of great moral integrity, she is vastly different than my mother.  She is the life of a party, always telling great stories and jokes to make you laugh.  She's a hoot to be around.  She loves attention, and this photo was her idea.

Both of my mothers are believers.

I was reminded of the book of Ruth in the Old Testament.  Ruth was a foreign woman who became close to her mother-in-law, Naomi when her husband died.  Even though Ruth could have gone home, she chose to stay with Naomi when they would go back to Naomi's homeland.  The entire book is compelling, as you can see very plainly the love these two women had for each other.  This verse, often used in weddings, was actually Ruth speaking to Naomi.

"Don't ask me to leave you and turn back.  Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live.  Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.  Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.  May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!" ~Ruth 1:16-17 (NLT)

Let's take some time to honor all the mothers you have in life.  Happy Mother's Day!

The Last will be First

Bear with me, as this post is going to seem a little narcissistic at first.  

Last night, I was talking with some friends from church about each other's careers, and what each of us do (or did) as a job.  My job came up, and during the course of the conversation, the others became impressed with what I do for a living.  I usually try to make light of this, by saying, "I coordinate the special education programs for the area," or "I work with special education teachers."  In reality, my job could be defined as a CEO of a medium sized corporation.  We employ around 450 teachers, teaching assistants and support staff to serve the needs of around 3,100 students with individualized education programs (IEPs) across 13 school districts in central Illinois.  Our operating budget is around $26,000,000.  

Impressed yet?  You shouldn't be.  I can be replaced.  

You see, lately I am finding that what may be impressive to the world is not impressive to God.  I spent so much time climbing a "corporate ladder" in public education, that I lost sight of what is really important.  

The things that Jesus valued were humility, mercy, and grace.  He was not impressed with successes that society promotes.  He instead noticed the meek and poor.  He noticed the children.  

But many who are greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. (Matthew 19:30)

It seems like Jesus was telling us that God was telling us to "get over ourselves."

So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last. 

(Matthew 20:16 NLT)

Some days I think I will be last in the Kingdom of Heaven.  There are many more worthy in God's eyes to go before me.  That's OK.

It was never about me.

Life Lines

Many of you may remember I began sailing last summer.  If you want to recall my first solo sailing trip, click Winds.  We are associate members of the Commodore Decatur Yacht Club, and we try to get on the lake every chance we get.  The club membership is open for anyone interested in sailing, and it only costs $75 a season to belong (family).  The club has five boats available for associate members to use, once the senior sailors deem us worthy to sail alone.

Damage to the keel

We received news this past Monday that the choppy wind conditions caused one of the club boats to break free from the ropes (lines) that bound it to the dock.  Because the lines snapped, the boat drifted against some rocks and caused damage to the keel (the weight on bottom) that made it nearly sink.

Investigating the damage

After some investigation, the senior sailors determined the lines were not adequate to keep the boat secure.  We learned that we must use double-braided ropes to secure the boat to the dock.

This made me think about the lines that keep us tethered to God.  If we are not firmly anchored to God with double-braided cords, our lifelines may snap, and we could find ourselves drifting away toward dangerous conditions.

What are some of these lines?
1. Attend a church that teaches Bible truth.
2. Read the Bible, a little each day.
3. Think about the things the Bible teaches.
4. Pray.  Again, I say pray.
5. Spend your free time with other believers who encourage you, and who can keep you accountable.
6. Learn how to love others the way He loves us and act on it.

There are more... name them!

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT)

Star Wars Day - May the Fourth be with you!

I don't know when I became such a fan of this series, but the message is clear.  There is good in this world, and there is evil in this world.  Good can become corrupted and become evil.  Evil can repent and become good.

Does that sound familiar?

It should.  The bible is full of examples of men and women who demonstrated difficulty navigating life, who made mistakes, who fell away from God, who repented, and who walks with God today.  

Be aware though, although it is never too late to repent, if you are consumed by the dark side, it will be very difficult to turn back.  This is a famous passage from the Empire Strikes Back.

Yoda: Yes, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will, as it did Obi-Wan's apprentice. 

 Luke: Vader... Is the dark side stronger? 

Yoda: No, no, no. Quicker, easier, more seductive. 

Luke: But how am I to know the good side from the bad? 

Yoda: You will know... when you are calm, at peace, passive. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, NEVER for attack. 

Luke: But tell my why I can't... 

Yoda: No, no! There is no "why". 

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters.  But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.  Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.  For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.
~Galations 5:13-15 (NLT)

Dry Bones

Consider the vision of Ezekiel:

He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out.

Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the lord! This is what the Sovereign lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again!
(Ezekiel 37:2, 4 NLT)

The passage further goes on to show how the bones assembled, grew flesh and life was breathed into them, indeed they became a great army.

Sometimes, I feel as dead and dried up and useless as the bones in the desert.  These feelings paralyze me and prevent me from doing the work of the body of Christ.  I find myself sinking deeper into depression and despair.  When I feel overwhelmed, I shut down my feelings, and then there is nothing.  

I need Jesus to breath life into me.  Indeed, I need the Holy Spirit to dwell within me.  This is the only thing in my life that keeps me anchored to life.  I no longer have these moments of paralyzing depression, but I am still at risk to retreat back into a world of nothing.  

Pray for me, that I can remain passionate about the things of God.