It's alittle different than walking by faith, but...
Heidi and I enjoyed a nice walk tonight. We left the kids in bed and enjoyed the brisk cool air...just kidding. Grandma Bennett is in town for the weekend, allowing us to enjoy our favorite time of the year.
I'm lucky to have a spouse that appreciates the same temperature settings as I do. We love the fall. And we like it cold.
We were out walking to enjoy each other's company. Walking is also good for a woman in labor...
Peace,
M@
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Walk by faith...
This weekend we continued our series exploring who we are becoming. More than what we are doing, God is shaping our hearts to become a certain kind of community. As He shapes our hearts, then our actions will flow out of who we are. Success is not growing. Success is redefined as becoming the people we were created to be. Success is becoming a community that is know by love, walks by faith, and serves as a voice of hope in the world. If we do that, then we win.
Today, we talked about what it looks like to walk by faith. It's a challenge, requiring us to be dialed into God's voice. If we are to walk by faith, we must listen to Him. Frankly, it would be much easier to simply do a bunch of church stuff...not bad stuff, but also not stuff that requires much faith.
It's hard work to listen. It's hard work to wait until God moves. It's hard work to step out in faith. Why? Because all of these things are counter-intuitive for us, as human beings. We're more naturally comfortable with listening to our own voices and motivations, not listening for God. We're more comfortable walking ahead, doing what we think we should do. It's hard work because walking by faith take the focus off of me...and that's not natural.
But the results are worth it! By faith, I connect with eternity. My little step of faith, connects my life with the eternal. A step of faith to mend a fractured relationship connects with the perfect peace that comes in the future. My step of faith toward justice connects with God's eternal heart of justice.
Not only does it connect me with the eternal not-yet, it allows me to see God at work here and now. I believe that God can heal people who are sick and dying. I believe that God can free people from the slavery of addictions. I believe that God can save broken marriages and fractures friendships. I can't do any of those things...for me or anyone else. But by walking by faith, I can see God all of those things...I can see lives being transformed in major ways...and I can experience that in my own life.
So, yeah...it's hard work. But it's so worth it. What do you think?
Peace on the journey,
Matt
Today, we talked about what it looks like to walk by faith. It's a challenge, requiring us to be dialed into God's voice. If we are to walk by faith, we must listen to Him. Frankly, it would be much easier to simply do a bunch of church stuff...not bad stuff, but also not stuff that requires much faith.
It's hard work to listen. It's hard work to wait until God moves. It's hard work to step out in faith. Why? Because all of these things are counter-intuitive for us, as human beings. We're more naturally comfortable with listening to our own voices and motivations, not listening for God. We're more comfortable walking ahead, doing what we think we should do. It's hard work because walking by faith take the focus off of me...and that's not natural.
But the results are worth it! By faith, I connect with eternity. My little step of faith, connects my life with the eternal. A step of faith to mend a fractured relationship connects with the perfect peace that comes in the future. My step of faith toward justice connects with God's eternal heart of justice.
Not only does it connect me with the eternal not-yet, it allows me to see God at work here and now. I believe that God can heal people who are sick and dying. I believe that God can free people from the slavery of addictions. I believe that God can save broken marriages and fractures friendships. I can't do any of those things...for me or anyone else. But by walking by faith, I can see God all of those things...I can see lives being transformed in major ways...and I can experience that in my own life.
So, yeah...it's hard work. But it's so worth it. What do you think?
Peace on the journey,
Matt
Sunday, September 18, 2005
new one...
Stephie is Heidi's older sister. Since she has a variety of mental disabilities, she still lives at home with her parents in Bay City, MI. So whenever we visit there, we get to see Steph. There is much that I have learned from Steph and I'm sure I'll share over time.
Whenever Steph sees an animal get killed, she shouts out, "New one!" As in, this one's done, it's time for a new one! It's pretty funny.
Heidi was driving somewhere with Steph in the car. Seeing a pretty bird fly down near the road was very exciting. Seeing it fly into the sweet spot on the grill of an on-coming semi was...something. Just a big puff of feathers. Heidi sheepishly looked over at Steph, who had clearly been enjoying the bird, to see how she would react. After a moment of stunned silence, she said somewhat quietly... "New one..."
That's a little how I feel about my day today. My day was flying along minding it's own business, dipping down by the road. The next thing I knew...just a big poof of feathers.
In the perfectly fitting words of my sister-in-law... "New one..."
Going to bed in hopes that Monday will avoid the semi's sweet spot...
M@
Whenever Steph sees an animal get killed, she shouts out, "New one!" As in, this one's done, it's time for a new one! It's pretty funny.
Heidi was driving somewhere with Steph in the car. Seeing a pretty bird fly down near the road was very exciting. Seeing it fly into the sweet spot on the grill of an on-coming semi was...something. Just a big puff of feathers. Heidi sheepishly looked over at Steph, who had clearly been enjoying the bird, to see how she would react. After a moment of stunned silence, she said somewhat quietly... "New one..."
That's a little how I feel about my day today. My day was flying along minding it's own business, dipping down by the road. The next thing I knew...just a big poof of feathers.
In the perfectly fitting words of my sister-in-law... "New one..."
Going to bed in hopes that Monday will avoid the semi's sweet spot...
M@
Friday, September 16, 2005
golf...
I don't know why, but I really enjoy golfing. I don't love golf, but I do enjoy it. I'm not all that good, but I've come to the place of realizing that if I get good it's because I spend too much time doing it...
I golfed today. There was a tournament to raise funds (sort of) for Rock River Christian Camp. Props to my team: Jerry, Barry, and Wally. We could have made a good joke...So a chiropractor, insurance guy, sewer supervisor, and a pastor walk onto a golf course...the punch line came shortly after the first tee...
Heidi continues to knock out orientations for various hospitals at which she'll be working after F3 arrives.
Izak works hard at being 2.11 years old. What a great heart!
Libby is about ready to begin ruling the world...seriously...she's a piece of work.
F3 isn't quite ready to come out...but it's getting close.
Peace,
M@
I golfed today. There was a tournament to raise funds (sort of) for Rock River Christian Camp. Props to my team: Jerry, Barry, and Wally. We could have made a good joke...So a chiropractor, insurance guy, sewer supervisor, and a pastor walk onto a golf course...the punch line came shortly after the first tee...
Heidi continues to knock out orientations for various hospitals at which she'll be working after F3 arrives.
Izak works hard at being 2.11 years old. What a great heart!
Libby is about ready to begin ruling the world...seriously...she's a piece of work.
F3 isn't quite ready to come out...but it's getting close.
Peace,
M@
Monday, September 12, 2005
daddy day...
It's Daddy Day in the Furr house today!!! The kids showed mercy and slept until 7!! Off to a good start...except Izak is pretty set on having speghetti for breakfast...Maybe if I put some maple syrup on it...like in Elf...
Libby is walking around roaring at me...darn cute.
Heidi has begun working today. She's at Loyola Medical Center (which is not on the campus of the university, by the way). She passed her tests and continues with her orientation. Loyola is the first of four hospitals that she'll orient to in working for a staffing company. She's excited and I'm excited for her.
Gotta run...the walking lionness approaches!
M@
Libby is walking around roaring at me...darn cute.
Heidi has begun working today. She's at Loyola Medical Center (which is not on the campus of the university, by the way). She passed her tests and continues with her orientation. Loyola is the first of four hospitals that she'll orient to in working for a staffing company. She's excited and I'm excited for her.
Gotta run...the walking lionness approaches!
M@
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Un-retired...
I was pulling for Lance Armstrong in this past Tour-de-France. I admire great athletes; Armstrong certainly fits the bill. I also wanted to see him go out on top. More often than not, great athletes miss their curtain call and hang onto glory (as faded as it becomes) with white knuckles.
Not so, for Armstrong. He told the world that after this year, the Tour was going to be left to the others. He would ride his last for Team Discovery. And then he would focus on his relationship with Crowe (who will become his wife soon enough, his children, who are still quite young and his cancer research foundation.
Great call, Lance!! I'm proud of you. You made your fortune, are leveraging your influence well in the area of cancer research. And you are not content to screw your family over (again). Most athletes don't have the courage to stop on top and leave the stage for others. But good for you!
Lance can do whatever he wants to do with his life. I can't make decisions for him. But the news has been leaking that he will be training with Team Discovery this winter in the probable return to the race that brought him much fame and glory. That's very disappointing to me on several levels...
1) let it go, Lance!! You can't win every time. Don't tarnish what you've worked so hard to earn by finishing 3rd or worse this year or next. I admit, this is a selfish reason. I want to remember him the way he was...not as grandpa Lance.
2) When you brought your kids up on the podium to celebrate your historic 7th victory, you were telling the world that they are more important than more glory. By stepping back into the ring, you are implanting the notion that they are always #2 in your life. It doesn't matter what you say, your actions speak very loudly. I'm not asking you to be a perfect parent, but I would challenge you to put the same amount of energy and commitment in your family that you have put into racing all these years.
3) Feed the true hunger in your life. I'm not judging Lance, but I suspect that there is something stirring deep within him that is unquenchable. It's a hunger for intimacy with God. Like most people in this world (even religious folks), I'm betting that if he rides hard enough, the hunger begins to go away. When he was riding into Paris victorious, he didn't notice the hunger. But now, in the quietness of retirement, the hunger resurfaces. But it's not a hunger for more glory...it's a hunger for the glory of God. Seek him out, Lance...find satistfaction in Him.
So those are my thoughts about Lance Armstrong toying with the notion of returning to biking. I hope he doesn't. But that's just my opinion.
M@
Not so, for Armstrong. He told the world that after this year, the Tour was going to be left to the others. He would ride his last for Team Discovery. And then he would focus on his relationship with Crowe (who will become his wife soon enough, his children, who are still quite young and his cancer research foundation.
Great call, Lance!! I'm proud of you. You made your fortune, are leveraging your influence well in the area of cancer research. And you are not content to screw your family over (again). Most athletes don't have the courage to stop on top and leave the stage for others. But good for you!
Lance can do whatever he wants to do with his life. I can't make decisions for him. But the news has been leaking that he will be training with Team Discovery this winter in the probable return to the race that brought him much fame and glory. That's very disappointing to me on several levels...
1) let it go, Lance!! You can't win every time. Don't tarnish what you've worked so hard to earn by finishing 3rd or worse this year or next. I admit, this is a selfish reason. I want to remember him the way he was...not as grandpa Lance.
2) When you brought your kids up on the podium to celebrate your historic 7th victory, you were telling the world that they are more important than more glory. By stepping back into the ring, you are implanting the notion that they are always #2 in your life. It doesn't matter what you say, your actions speak very loudly. I'm not asking you to be a perfect parent, but I would challenge you to put the same amount of energy and commitment in your family that you have put into racing all these years.
3) Feed the true hunger in your life. I'm not judging Lance, but I suspect that there is something stirring deep within him that is unquenchable. It's a hunger for intimacy with God. Like most people in this world (even religious folks), I'm betting that if he rides hard enough, the hunger begins to go away. When he was riding into Paris victorious, he didn't notice the hunger. But now, in the quietness of retirement, the hunger resurfaces. But it's not a hunger for more glory...it's a hunger for the glory of God. Seek him out, Lance...find satistfaction in Him.
So those are my thoughts about Lance Armstrong toying with the notion of returning to biking. I hope he doesn't. But that's just my opinion.
M@
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
perspective...
I had lunch today with a guy who is helping oversee the logistics for about 600 emergency personnel who are traveling from IL to Lousianna to help with the situation down there. It's a huge job for him and his crew.
Because of his involvement in emergency situations on a local, county, and state level, he has some great insight into what is going on down there. I just can't understand the confusion and why everyone is blaming someone else. So I asked him about it.
So as to not publish anything that he might prefer to be unpublished, let me just say that he gave me good perspective. All you need is someone to make a bad decision, which impacts the other decisions down the line, adding further compication to the decisions that need to be made. It's an illustration of the power of one.
This is me, not this guy...let's say that the mayor of New Orleans makes a decision to approve an emergency evacuation plan that doesn't include tens of thousands of people who don't have vehicles. That decision impacts the decisions that his emergency personnel have to make. So now, instead of having to make decisions about how to get water out of the city, they also have to make decisions about what to do with tens of thousands of stranded people in the Superdome. But because they were unprepared to make those decisions, the opportunity to make poor decisions increases exponentially. And on down the line until we have incredible chaos and disorder.
Boy, I'm sure glad that I don't have to carry that kind of responsibility and weight! Whew...I'm off the hook...or am I?
I make decisions every day. So do you. And the decisions we make will either create order and health in the lives of other people or they will contribute to choas and disease. When we short-change a decision, it impacts more than just us. There is no decision that can effect just me...none.
The way that I choose to communicate love to my son and daughter, will diretly impact their ability to receive and communicate love in the future. The decisions I make will play out generations...people who will only know me as "my great-great-great-grandfather, Matt Furr."
My decision to confront a person and bring healthy discussion to a fractured relationship will impact so many other people.
There are not too many casual decisions that we make throughout the day. It might not matter what color socks I wear (unless it's such a distraction that is causes a traffic accident as the person driving by stares while I walk down the sidewalk). But the choices I make about how I interact with others, how I give myself to my work, the corners I choose to not cut...these are all decisions that will ripple through the lives of other people for (potentially) generations.
We're looking at the result of some key bad decisions by people who should have known better. But every day, we live in the ramifications of key bad decisions that we and others make all the time.
It makes me pretty thankful for a mysterious thing called grace...
Peace on the journey,
M@
Because of his involvement in emergency situations on a local, county, and state level, he has some great insight into what is going on down there. I just can't understand the confusion and why everyone is blaming someone else. So I asked him about it.
So as to not publish anything that he might prefer to be unpublished, let me just say that he gave me good perspective. All you need is someone to make a bad decision, which impacts the other decisions down the line, adding further compication to the decisions that need to be made. It's an illustration of the power of one.
This is me, not this guy...let's say that the mayor of New Orleans makes a decision to approve an emergency evacuation plan that doesn't include tens of thousands of people who don't have vehicles. That decision impacts the decisions that his emergency personnel have to make. So now, instead of having to make decisions about how to get water out of the city, they also have to make decisions about what to do with tens of thousands of stranded people in the Superdome. But because they were unprepared to make those decisions, the opportunity to make poor decisions increases exponentially. And on down the line until we have incredible chaos and disorder.
Boy, I'm sure glad that I don't have to carry that kind of responsibility and weight! Whew...I'm off the hook...or am I?
I make decisions every day. So do you. And the decisions we make will either create order and health in the lives of other people or they will contribute to choas and disease. When we short-change a decision, it impacts more than just us. There is no decision that can effect just me...none.
The way that I choose to communicate love to my son and daughter, will diretly impact their ability to receive and communicate love in the future. The decisions I make will play out generations...people who will only know me as "my great-great-great-grandfather, Matt Furr."
My decision to confront a person and bring healthy discussion to a fractured relationship will impact so many other people.
There are not too many casual decisions that we make throughout the day. It might not matter what color socks I wear (unless it's such a distraction that is causes a traffic accident as the person driving by stares while I walk down the sidewalk). But the choices I make about how I interact with others, how I give myself to my work, the corners I choose to not cut...these are all decisions that will ripple through the lives of other people for (potentially) generations.
We're looking at the result of some key bad decisions by people who should have known better. But every day, we live in the ramifications of key bad decisions that we and others make all the time.
It makes me pretty thankful for a mysterious thing called grace...
Peace on the journey,
M@
Sunday, September 04, 2005
weekend wrap-up...
Had a nice visit with my folks on Saturday evening. They are in the area because they are heading to WI to visit my cousin and his folks (Uncle Howie and Aunt Ann, Mom's brother and sil). So they stopped in for about 24 hours. It's nice to be close enough that they can do that.
After dinner at the Rainforest Cafe', we enjoyed some ice cream and time with the kids. Then bed and I went back to the office.
I've been really wrestling this with my weekend message. Today was to mark the beginning of a new series, but I knew that we also had to address the situation in the south, too. I wasn't sure if I could accomplish both and how that would be done.
I had finally been able to do both, but still wasn't done wrestling. What more did God want from me? What more needed to be brought up this week? I thought I had the bases covered.
But...the one thing that was lacking was me. I hadn't owned the message yet. So Saturday night was spend brining the message home. How do I respond when life is shaken up?
I had to own that I don't like some of the stuff that's been spilling out lately. There's an issue that consistently comes back to my mind. In this setting the issue isn't important. I've noticed that I have gotten angry in situations that didn't warrant quite that level of response. Wow...there's something there that I think God wants to put his finger on.
Will I let Him? Or will I blow it off as a little bit of stress that will go away?
Nope...not going to blow it off. The goal is too great to pass this up. Through the issue I'm grappling with I'll become a little more reflective of the character of Jesus. And that's the point of this journey I'm on...
Peace on the journey,
M@
ps - I get the next two days with my family! It's been a while since I've had this kind of time with them at home. Hope they can put up with me!!
After dinner at the Rainforest Cafe', we enjoyed some ice cream and time with the kids. Then bed and I went back to the office.
I've been really wrestling this with my weekend message. Today was to mark the beginning of a new series, but I knew that we also had to address the situation in the south, too. I wasn't sure if I could accomplish both and how that would be done.
I had finally been able to do both, but still wasn't done wrestling. What more did God want from me? What more needed to be brought up this week? I thought I had the bases covered.
But...the one thing that was lacking was me. I hadn't owned the message yet. So Saturday night was spend brining the message home. How do I respond when life is shaken up?
I had to own that I don't like some of the stuff that's been spilling out lately. There's an issue that consistently comes back to my mind. In this setting the issue isn't important. I've noticed that I have gotten angry in situations that didn't warrant quite that level of response. Wow...there's something there that I think God wants to put his finger on.
Will I let Him? Or will I blow it off as a little bit of stress that will go away?
Nope...not going to blow it off. The goal is too great to pass this up. Through the issue I'm grappling with I'll become a little more reflective of the character of Jesus. And that's the point of this journey I'm on...
Peace on the journey,
M@
ps - I get the next two days with my family! It's been a while since I've had this kind of time with them at home. Hope they can put up with me!!
Thursday, September 01, 2005
random thoughts (or pseudo-thoughts)...
I actually don't feel much like writing. It's been a busy week, requiring many words from me...I've used up my alotment and am looking for a place to just curl up and say nothing. But until then...
- I've been keeping up with the unfolding devestation in the south along with the rest of the country. My thoughts range from prayer for those involved to unbelief that anyone would think it a good idea to build a city in a bowl. But I have the luxury to second-guess and avert my eyes from the pain because the bodies aren't floating by my submerged home. Mostly I pray. I pray for endurance for those who are working so hard, peace for those who are still awaiting rescue, grace for those who are at the end of themselves, and comfort for those who would be happy to have lost just their home.
- I'm proud of my boy. I don't think he's completely ready to outsource the daddy job, but I'm not sure he's needing me these days (I'm not really serious about this, so don't bother writing me about all the ways that daddies are important). He has pretty much potty trained himself. He's not so much into the whole pooping thing, but he's all over the fun work of aiming! And now he's put himself into his "big boy" bed. Yup...no more cribs...at least not for now. He's all over his twin bed with railings to keep him in bounds when he jumps. It's pretty incredible to look in on him and see him sleeping in a "real" bed. Just in time to move the crib into the other room for "you-know-who"...
- My wife is going to have another baby soon. Yup...I'm not sure why no one told me about this! We're counting weeks instead of months. And soon, it will turn to days...then hours...then pushes. I can't wait to meet this kid. No strong hunches yet...boy or girl?
- My folks are coming for a quick visit this weekend. It's nice to be close enough that we can do overnights. It's good to check in with them, share a bit of life.
- Heidi and I went on a date tonight. She texted (may not be a real word, but pretend with me that it is) in the middle of the day that she found a sitter and made reservations. We went to Tsukasa, a Japenese steak house. We've heard this one was good...even better than Bennihana's. It was good...but not better than our normal Japenese steakhouse...it's just nice to be out together.
So there is a random spattering of things floating loosely through my mind.
Peace,
M@
- I've been keeping up with the unfolding devestation in the south along with the rest of the country. My thoughts range from prayer for those involved to unbelief that anyone would think it a good idea to build a city in a bowl. But I have the luxury to second-guess and avert my eyes from the pain because the bodies aren't floating by my submerged home. Mostly I pray. I pray for endurance for those who are working so hard, peace for those who are still awaiting rescue, grace for those who are at the end of themselves, and comfort for those who would be happy to have lost just their home.
- I'm proud of my boy. I don't think he's completely ready to outsource the daddy job, but I'm not sure he's needing me these days (I'm not really serious about this, so don't bother writing me about all the ways that daddies are important). He has pretty much potty trained himself. He's not so much into the whole pooping thing, but he's all over the fun work of aiming! And now he's put himself into his "big boy" bed. Yup...no more cribs...at least not for now. He's all over his twin bed with railings to keep him in bounds when he jumps. It's pretty incredible to look in on him and see him sleeping in a "real" bed. Just in time to move the crib into the other room for "you-know-who"...
- My wife is going to have another baby soon. Yup...I'm not sure why no one told me about this! We're counting weeks instead of months. And soon, it will turn to days...then hours...then pushes. I can't wait to meet this kid. No strong hunches yet...boy or girl?
- My folks are coming for a quick visit this weekend. It's nice to be close enough that we can do overnights. It's good to check in with them, share a bit of life.
- Heidi and I went on a date tonight. She texted (may not be a real word, but pretend with me that it is) in the middle of the day that she found a sitter and made reservations. We went to Tsukasa, a Japenese steak house. We've heard this one was good...even better than Bennihana's. It was good...but not better than our normal Japenese steakhouse...it's just nice to be out together.
So there is a random spattering of things floating loosely through my mind.
Peace,
M@
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
