GPS #1 - Directionally Challenged

This week we began a new discussion series called GPS. Our goal over the next few weeks is to learn "systems" or "practices" that will help us grow our relationship with God, so that we on really see where He would have us go.

The trouble is that most of us are directionally challenged.
Instead of finding direction and meaning from God, we finding money, career, power, status, family and friends, etc. We set our life by the stuff of earth instead of the tings of Heaven. Then as life goes by we yell at God that we have no idea where we are going, how we got here, or why our life isn't moving and exciting.

I believe that this directionally challenged life partly because we are asking the wrong question. Most of ask, "where am I know, and where should I be going next."
This is based off of a self-centered few of life. We start with life now... "me now" and the seek direction on life later.... "me future."

When maybe the real question is "where is God moving and how can I join with him."
This directional question is based on the movement of God, his dreams, his desires... not ours. It's a much bigger and much more exciting question... because God is limitless in what is doing and wants to do in our world.

Jesus said, "My Father is always at work, and so am I" (John 5:17)
Then he says, "I tell you the truth, the son can do nothing by himself. He only does what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does the son also does." (John 5:19)

That is amazing and very insightful for us. Set your course by what God is already doing. Start looking for God action in our lives, churches, community and world.

The problem is we can't see what God is doing unless we address a blinding issue in our lives.... STUBBORNNESS. Read the story of Balaam and his donkey in Numbers Chapter 22. A great spiritual man was blinded by his own stubbornness. God had to creatively get Balaam's attention and once again remind his servant to live a humble life of obedience.

Since I can be a really stubborn person at times, I love reading this story. It reminds me that if God can have an "Ass" see spiritual things before the "rock-star spiritual giant Balaam, maybe I can begin to see the things of God as well.

Are you directionally challenged today?
Ask yourself.... "am I a stubborn person"?
Ask yourself.... " am I looking for where God is already moving, or am i trying to have things my way, and make them look really spiritual."

Rites of Passage

There was a time when parents had the honor of blessing their children. This blessing came as the parents saw that the child was "coming of age", or fully able to handle what was been passed on to them.

Our world no longer embraces this idea of rite of passage with a parents blessing.

No now we have a world where most kids believe, "I deserve it." Our children no longer want that special moment with mom and dad... instead they just want the stuff that was once seen as a blessing.

Cars are now seen as a given in a kids life.... not a gift or sign of coming of age.
Cellphones are standard issue to every child.... not a tool that can be afforded and used properly at the right times.
Getting a savings account or check book are no longer seen as great teaching moments, something that need wisdom and guidance... they are seen as absolutes in a kids life.

So many special rites of passage, long term memory moments have been taken, removed or erased from the family of today. It used to be extra special to when dad when and said, "today is the day we start car shopping together, let me show what I have learned. Let's got kick some tires."

Throughout the Bible there are stories of how the blessing and rite of passage was a major event in family and nations life. David and Solomon, Jacob and Esau, Elijah to Elisha, just name a few.

No rites of passage moments appear to evaporating and with it goes a big part of parenthood, family, and memories. I think it is a sad, sad statement on our world today. The objects of the blessing and rite are now more important than the experience and the personal blessing, honor, smile from mom and dad.

As a parent of a senior in high school... this sad reality is hitting home with me.
I wish, I pray that my kids wanted and longed for the blessing, the smiles and impute from their parents... instead of just the stuff. Days are short, and memories and moments are even fewer.

Just some observations and ramblings from a guy, husband and father.

Farve Nation

Tonight the Packers meet the Vikings for the first time since Brett Farve retired (for the first time) and the rejoined the NFL. This will be the first meeting of Farve with his old team mates. 16b years at GB and now he is a Viking. How strange it will be for so many tonight.

I am a Packer fan first.
Viking fan second and a Farve third.

I am really looking forward to a fun game. Rodgers vs Farve. Packer vs Vikings (always good game), cheese heads vs goldie locks.

I predict that Packers will win. But it will be a long, intense game.