He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along. Psalm 40:2
I love this verse. I love the personal flavor that David gives us when he says, "He lifted me out"... God set MY feet. I needed my dad and he showed up.
Tonight, I was at a picnic with people from work. We had our staff time together and I must say, I enjoy the family like atmosphere. I love the people I work with. I, however, had a special night because God reminded me of His love for me and for all of us.
I was playing with a co-worker's little girl. She is 3 and pretty darn awesome, if I do say so myself. It made me miss my niece. LOL. I digress..
Well, after taking the usual beating that I do at the hands of small children, going through my plethora of random funny voices, and playing imaginary games.. I thought to myself... "man, good times."
I decided to walk over by the pond that my host has set up in the yard. A massive little pond (if that makes sense) with some huge fish. Well here comes the little girl... running... you can guess the rest. Right into the pond. Without panicking, or even having time to hear the cry... I was leaning down, reaching out.... and picked her up and out of the water. I held her and took her to mom's awaiting arms who would later thank me for being so quick to get her daughter.....
As the kid was taken inside to get cleaned up, I sat there and thought to myself... "that's what God is like." Sometimes we get so excited when run after God, then something comes along and "trips" us up. BUT when we fall... ahh... He's right there to pick us up and hold us. He doesn't even give it two thoughts.. He's already leaning down with arms of love to help his kids up.
I realized tonight, after playing with this little princess and the time I've been able to spend with my awesome niece and nephews, man, I long to be a great dad. I want to be what my dad was not able to be to me... a great dad that loves with his whole heart! I want to be that.. so bad! I know that God will help me see that goal to completion because it is so ingrained in my heart and being.
Some, when they read my notes will think to themselves, "man, this guy over spiritualizes wayyyyy too much." I would respond and answer, "man, this guy sees God in so many places and everyday life brings him closer...." would you rather be the person that can meet with God only in four walls every sunday morning or the person that can meet God in every other person, place, and thing that you come in contact with.. knowing that He NEVER leaves you.... just a thought.
Hope all is well and remember, when you stumble, He will pick you up!!
Dan
Friday, August 14, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Prince Charming: A Blog About What I am NOT!
I must confess that I wrote this note out of repentant heart.
Recently, I have been watching Ron Carpenter (a pastor in South Carolina) talk about relationships and what they look like in the Kingdom and should look like on this earth. I like it. Actually, to confess, I love what he's saying, because it's not spiritual, it's practical, he doesn't emphasize feelings and attraction.. he talks about compatibility and complementing each other. He points that Eve was brought out of Adam and because of her being birthed out of Adam's side.. there is longing for the two to become once again in such an intimate connection that it is nothing short of a gift of God. So refreshing.
I write this note because I think for the first time in my life I am starting to see what true relationship and compatibility looks like. Traditional dating does not teach us that. It asks us to dress ourselves up, look pretty, and wear a facade that shows nothing of what we are really like. I want to be real in relationship.
A small tangent, I apologize.
I grow weary with what guys are becoming nowadays. Seriously. Too many of my friends are stuck in relationships in which the guys are lazy, don't work, are bums, and are not willing to step up and be a man. Men are not being men. Women are asked to fill a role that is not their's to fill because the man has lost his position and has chosen to be a passive leader and just let life pass by. Breaks my heart.
I, even in this last relationship, let my selfishness take root and hold and did not honor what I should have honored. Now it didn't work out for a number of reasons, but God is showing me the importance of honoring Eve and what I can do to work on myself during a season of singleness. I guess it's a call and a challenge to let God so transform, change, and overcome me that I am no longer the boy that is full of selfishness and in the negative, but I have value to offer a relationship and something to offer someone... OTHER THAN MY BAGGAGE! I don't want the next girl in my life to inherit my baggage... I want her to gain someone who is self aware, acknowledges that there is some junk in his trunk, but is willing to take it to the Cross and let God work on him and change him, little by little, from glory to glory.
I don't want to be a hindrance or burden, but a blessing and man that complements her very being.
Ugh.
The start of the note was birthed out of my frustration as to what guys are not. We are no longer honoring women, no longer pursuing women, no longer praying for them, no longer just calling to see how they are, no longer talking to them about their future and what they want in life.... but what we are doing is: taking them to meals we can't afford, waiting for them to pursue us, letting them treat us like we are the only person in their life while we treat them like they are the least of importance to us, we are beating them, abusing them, flirting with them, sexing them up, shacking them up, and ignoring and avoiding any type of commitment. I DO NOT WANT TO BE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God. Bring me back to the heart of Adam. He loved Eve, he loved YOU, he screwed up, but man... grace. I'm tired of being a boy... I'm tired of the "shopping" bring me to a place where the love I have for you.. meets the love that someone else has for you..... deep calls to deep.... father me and teach me to be a man.
Thank you for relationship and grace to learn from our mistakes. Bring us back some real men.. we sure as HECK could use them!
Dan
Recently, I have been watching Ron Carpenter (a pastor in South Carolina) talk about relationships and what they look like in the Kingdom and should look like on this earth. I like it. Actually, to confess, I love what he's saying, because it's not spiritual, it's practical, he doesn't emphasize feelings and attraction.. he talks about compatibility and complementing each other. He points that Eve was brought out of Adam and because of her being birthed out of Adam's side.. there is longing for the two to become once again in such an intimate connection that it is nothing short of a gift of God. So refreshing.
I write this note because I think for the first time in my life I am starting to see what true relationship and compatibility looks like. Traditional dating does not teach us that. It asks us to dress ourselves up, look pretty, and wear a facade that shows nothing of what we are really like. I want to be real in relationship.
A small tangent, I apologize.
I grow weary with what guys are becoming nowadays. Seriously. Too many of my friends are stuck in relationships in which the guys are lazy, don't work, are bums, and are not willing to step up and be a man. Men are not being men. Women are asked to fill a role that is not their's to fill because the man has lost his position and has chosen to be a passive leader and just let life pass by. Breaks my heart.
I, even in this last relationship, let my selfishness take root and hold and did not honor what I should have honored. Now it didn't work out for a number of reasons, but God is showing me the importance of honoring Eve and what I can do to work on myself during a season of singleness. I guess it's a call and a challenge to let God so transform, change, and overcome me that I am no longer the boy that is full of selfishness and in the negative, but I have value to offer a relationship and something to offer someone... OTHER THAN MY BAGGAGE! I don't want the next girl in my life to inherit my baggage... I want her to gain someone who is self aware, acknowledges that there is some junk in his trunk, but is willing to take it to the Cross and let God work on him and change him, little by little, from glory to glory.
I don't want to be a hindrance or burden, but a blessing and man that complements her very being.
Ugh.
The start of the note was birthed out of my frustration as to what guys are not. We are no longer honoring women, no longer pursuing women, no longer praying for them, no longer just calling to see how they are, no longer talking to them about their future and what they want in life.... but what we are doing is: taking them to meals we can't afford, waiting for them to pursue us, letting them treat us like we are the only person in their life while we treat them like they are the least of importance to us, we are beating them, abusing them, flirting with them, sexing them up, shacking them up, and ignoring and avoiding any type of commitment. I DO NOT WANT TO BE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God. Bring me back to the heart of Adam. He loved Eve, he loved YOU, he screwed up, but man... grace. I'm tired of being a boy... I'm tired of the "shopping" bring me to a place where the love I have for you.. meets the love that someone else has for you..... deep calls to deep.... father me and teach me to be a man.
Thank you for relationship and grace to learn from our mistakes. Bring us back some real men.. we sure as HECK could use them!
Dan
Thursday, July 23, 2009
On the Road
Think back to the last time that you got ready for a long trip. What did you pack and take with you? Socks, shoes, toilet paper, towels, some underwear, probably some deodorant, maybe a toothbrush, perhaps you took your favorite book or stuffed animal..... to you, these were all necessary.
To me, this journey is necessary. It's a journey of the heart. I have packed nothing more than my faith, trust, hope, and fears.. all in one convenient carry on. Normally, I will reach into my bag and pull out my fears, worries, and anxieties for the day, but today, this day, I reach in and pull out hope, trust, and faith.
I'm not sure where this journey is going, but I know the ride will be very worth it. I invite you to come along with me, to embark on this journey of the heart, the man, the spirit. Here's to new beginnings! Come with me!
To me, this journey is necessary. It's a journey of the heart. I have packed nothing more than my faith, trust, hope, and fears.. all in one convenient carry on. Normally, I will reach into my bag and pull out my fears, worries, and anxieties for the day, but today, this day, I reach in and pull out hope, trust, and faith.
I'm not sure where this journey is going, but I know the ride will be very worth it. I invite you to come along with me, to embark on this journey of the heart, the man, the spirit. Here's to new beginnings! Come with me!
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