The sun will set this evening marking the completion of the 267th day of 2019. In less than 100 days, the sun will rise on 2020. What will I do in and with my next 97 Ordinary days of this year?
I'll start by making a list. (Not a "bucket list;" Lord willing, I plan on sticking around for a bit longer.)
To do in 97 days:
- Thank God for each day.
- Say "I love you" to my wife at least once a day.
- Say "I love you" to my kids at least once a day.
- Preach three-plus months' worth of sermons.
- Pray.
- Play racquetball.
- Hike.
- Ski (downhill).
- Ski (cross-country).
- Eat Moose's Tooth pizza (more than once).
- Drink Dr. Peppers.
- Visit my family in Texas.
- Celebrate the birth of Jesus.
- Exchange gifts.
- Read the Bible daily.
- Read a few more books.
- Get in a few more motorcycle rides (wishful thinking perhaps).
As you read those seventeen "to dos," you learned a bit more about me. That's how it works. When one reveals his or her interests, habits, etc., the other learns a bit more about one's priorities. What makes a person happy? You can find out by studying their list (written or lived).
I encourage you to make your own list of "to dos" you hope to accomplish over the next 97 days. Then go back and read your list. (I'll wait.)
Okay, now that you've done that, what did you learn about yourself?
See any pattern?
Have any "Oops, I forgot that" moments?
Time for a personal reset?
I learn new things about myself on a regular basis. Plato said, "A good decision is based on knowledge and not on numbers."
So, in light of the philosopher's wisdom, don't concern yourself with the number of days 2019 still contains. Focus rather on what you will do in and with them.
Continue to learn about yourself and live your life.
#ordinarylives
This weekend many of the women of Rabbit Creek Church will be at Victory Bible Camp for our church's Annual Women's Retreat. While there, they will enjoy times of fellowship, worship, and relaxation. The theme for the weekend is "Receiving Mercy and Finding Grace." In words not original to me . . .
Mercy is not receiving what you deserve
(think "wages of sin") and
Grace is receiving what you do not deserve
(think "eternal life").
We can all agree that God is the greatest extender of mercy and grace. Make it a habit to regularly thank God for those gifts. Do not stop there. When we read the Bible, interesting and even challenging questions confront us. Many of my biggest questions can be expressed with one word - How?
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:48 (NIV)
How?
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus . . .
Philippians 2:5 (NIV)
How?
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do . . .
1 Peter 1:15 (NIV)
How?
How are we to be perfect, think and act like Jesus, and be holy?
Well, we must start somewhere, and a great place to start is in extending mercy and grace.
Who in your life "deserves" to pay?
Will you extend mercy?
Who in your life really needs some support (listening ear, money, encouragement)?
Will you show them grace?
The pursuit of perfection is never-ending. Striving to think and act like Jesus is a life-long endeavor. Holiness seems out of reach. Yet we can be well along our way of reaching those heights by being champions of Mercy and Grace God extends both. So should we.
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Luke 12:48b (NIV)
#ordinarylives
By appreciating her simple center-of-the-page dot, Vashti's teacher opened her student's eyes to see that even those who believe that talent eludes them can create art. We learn alongside her as we read Peter Reynold's book, The Dot. What began as a fictional tale in a book has grown into a worldwide movement. In fact, inspired by the tale of Vashti and her dot, people around the globe will celebrate International Dot Day on September 15 or, according to the official website - "September 15th-ish." The founders of Dot Day encourage participants to "celebrate creativity, courage and collaboration."
I encourage you to read a copy of The Dot and, therefore, I will avoid giving away too many details that Reynolds artfully includes. I will, however, share a bit.
Vashti doubts herself. "I can't draw," she protests more out of self-doubt than obstinance. However, as stated before, Vashti learns to believe in herself due, in great part, to the efforts of her teacher.
We relate to Vashti - don't we?
- Those who draw - don't think they draw as well as someone else.
- Those who sing - doubt that their voice is important enough to be heard.
- Those who are told they're beautiful - doubt their beauty when they compare themselves with another.
We underestimate the value of our dots.
In my passion for the Ordinary Life, I urge you to see your worth and the value of your dot.
- Take pride in your "B" for which you studied diligently.
- Draw for the sake of drawing - no matter how many (or how few) people see it.
- Love your kids when they succeed and when they fail.
- Strum your six-string even if you never stand on a stage.
After you finish reading this sentence, go make your dot and celebrate it on September 15th-ish and beyond.
#ordinarylives
Christians like Cheese. I should have typed the word "are" between Christians and Cheese. Let me explain.
There is a day in June which provides the Green Bay Packers and other residents of Wisconsin an opportunity to celebrate. Somewhere along the way, a keeper of calendar dates declared June 4th National Cheese Day.
While Americans eat just over half as much cheese per year as the French, 34 pounds per person does sound a bit excessive. I eat my share of the national average - mainly through the regular consumption of Anchorage's Moose's Tooth pizzas. (They're amazingly tasty!)
If you want to begin making plans for a 2020 Cheese Day celebration, the folks at www.holidayscalendar.com provide this advice . . .
"If you want to celebrate National Cheese Day, then all you have to do is enjoy cheese in one of its many forms. You can have cheese soup, a cheese sandwich or maybe just some cheese ravioli. Maybe your idea of a good time is having some cheese on crackers or eating a cheese pizza. How you celebrate this holiday all depends on your personal preferences."
Cheese.com identifies 1829 different types of cheese. Notice that whether one eats Aged Gouda or Zwister, one eats cheese. All cheeses from A to Z are types of cheese.
While I am mentioning numbers, I will shift from the topic of cheese to the matter of Christianity. The keepers of statistics, whomever they may be, identify the total number of Christian denominations at over 33,000. Notice that whether one attends an Anabaptist church or a church belonging to the West Syriac Rite, one attends a church.
While not all who attend church truly follow Christ, many do. Therefore Christians of any of the 33,000 denominations, whether living in Afghanistan or Zimbabwe, share the identity of a Christ-follower.
Just as Cheddar and Brie taste different and are presented in differing ways, Congregational and Baptist churches vary in style and nourish distinct "tastes." Despite their differences, both of the former are still cheeses and both of the latter are still Christian churches.
As you gather with friends to enjoy the great variety of cheeses from Aged Gouda to Zwister, perhaps you will choose to eat a grilled cheese sandwich or spoonfuls of cheese soup. All are cheese.
As you gather at church with other Christians to celebrate Jesus, remember that Christians who meet in a church different than ours, still gather in a church. All are Christ-followers.
#ordinarylives
I'll start by making a list. (Not a "bucket list;" Lord willing, I plan on sticking around for a bit longer.)
