(Check out part I…Been chewin on a few thoughts lately as it pertains to vision and the casting thereof. Most places and people I’ve encountered (including yours truly) are extremely weak in the area of envisioning. No, it’s not some new age thingy. It’s walking God’s vision out in your day to day life. I see this pertaining to families, business and just life in general but this one probably lives more in the context of getting a large number of people rallied around something tangible. I’ll try and break it down in a few installments using a travel scenario. Might actually make sense by then:) To all of us…

Now that the why is established on our mock travel scenario, we can turn our attention the the second most prevalent question: where.

(Again, never underestimate the importance of the why question first.  It’s foundational and fundamental to every decision past this point.  If there is overwhelming disagreement at the why stage, might be good just to take 2 separate trips because the whole thing will eventually unravel down the road.  It’s simply a matter of time. If you try to pick where without ever questioning why, you could end up on a business trip while your companion thinks it’s supposed to be a relaxing vacation.  You actually wind up in the same place for very conflicting reasons.  Not good at all, but unfortunately, rather common in large organizations, ministries and families.)

Ok, why is established…now the where.  If it’s just you alone, doesn’t matter.  But if people are trying to follow you, where is critical for a couple of reasons.

1.  It gives people a chance to agree/disagree with the destination.

Unless you’re under a slave, under a dictatorship, in a real army or 4 years old, you probably have the freedom to make a choice.  If you are more a cold weather kind of person and have decided on the why you need a trip and are now wrestling with the where, Alaska or Canada might be on your radar.  If you prefer the sandy beaches and warmth of the Gulf, somewhere down south would be more to your liking. BUT THOSE ARE TWO DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT PLACES.  Neither right or wrong…just different based on your preferences and personality.  If you’re the leader of the trip, people can now start to bail or join you because they know why and where they’re headed.

2. Gives everyone a focal point/target to hit.

Last year my wife and I took a long trip with the kids to Houston, Texas.  We were honored to do a close friends wedding so the why was simple: we had mentored this groom for a long time and we were best friends with the extended family.  The why was even big enough for us to say, “let’s invest in this special moment in their lives.”  Cool.  That was settled.  We also knew how much time we had and more importantly WHERE WE NEEDED TO GO.  We planned on a few days and multiple stops along the journey but WE HAD TO HAVE A DESTINATION in mind and clearly communicated, even to our kids.  That helped curb questions like, “hey Dad, on the way, can we stop in New York?” or “can we see the Eiffel Tower?”  I took a map, showed em where we were headed and that helped everything…

Here’s the deal: you gotta communicate the where just as clearly as the why.  If you don’t, I’ll just assume you are going the same place I am.  And we all know what assuming does:)…getabsorbed…n

Been chewin on a few thoughts lately as it pertains to vision and the casting thereof. Most places and people I’ve encountered (including yours truly) are extremely weak in the area of envisioning. No, it’s not some new age thingy. It’s walking God’s vision out in your day to day life. I see this pertaining to families, business and just life in general but this one probably lives more in the context of getting a large number of people rallied around something tangible. I’ll try and break it down in a few installments using a travel scenario. Might actually make sense by then:) To all of us…

When going somewhere, mode isn’t nearly as important as destination. Especially if we’re traveling together.

If I’m by myself on a trip, where I go and how I get there are up to me. Heck the why doesn’t really even need to be communicated. I can plan ahead, play it by ear or just be whimsical and let the breeze blow me where it will. Personality drives my mode of operation and I’ll fill ya in if I want to.

Now if YOU are going too, it’s a whole new ballgame.  First things first:

-WHY has to be established. If there’s no strong motive to go, then why in the world are we going? Why are we even bothering to leave? The why has to be strong, understood and agreed upon. It has to fit our beliefs, morals and basic understanding of God’s will for our lives. If we can’t agree on the why we don’t need to leave. At least not together…getabsorbed…n

I pretty much noticed it right away.

I took my Bible, my journey (which is Nathan for journal) and a LARGE cup of coffee to the banks of the White River early this morning. I have a spot on the west side of the river, right next to the zoo that affords me the opportunity to reflect, pray and ponder as the sun rises over downtown Indianapolis. It’s a spot God has used to speak to me a number of times. Nothing but me, the ducks and a few fitness zealots. I got situated and looked up at my city.

Something had changed.

What the heck? I’ve never seen that building before and man I could swear something is missing from the landscape.

Oh yeah…the dome!

Opened in 1984, The RCA Dome, home of

the Superbowl Champion Colts was a landmark known across the globe. What had once cost $77.5 million and had put Indianapolis on the map, was deflated yesterday in just under 35 minutes. It’s absence will forever alter the landscape of downtown Indianapolis. I could ramble on about the dome and it’s successor Lucas Oil Stadium forever…but I won’t.:) What struck me this morning was that new structures had grown up in the shadow of the old dome but were previously hidden from my view because of the archaic structure took up all the space.

I started wondering what are the amazing things that God is trying to do in me that I can’t see simply because I’m so attached to the “old structures?” Have new things begun to grow up in the shadows and I need to tear down old things so that they can receive full sunlight?

What’s obstructing your view? Anything that needs to be deflated? The implications could alter your landscape…getabsorbed…n

You totally need a break!

http://www.tripletsandus.com/80s/tv_theme_wav.htm

What is your top 5???

Welcome to reminiscing:)…enjoy!

One of my favorite business philosophers is Jim Rohn. Great stuff on life, leadership and following Christ in every opportunity.

This is from his weekly newsletter. You can sign up at JimRohn.com. Life is waaay too short to not seriously act (not just read) the following….

“You must constantly ask yourself these questions: Who am I around? What are they doing to me? What have they got me reading? What have they got me saying? Where do they have me going? What do they have me thinking? And most important, what do they have me becoming? Then ask yourself the big question: is that okay?”–Jim Rohn
…getabsorbed…n

Yeah the song by U2 is nice but I saw something the other day that totally has been rockin my world, not just my ears.

In addition to other Bible reading, I try to read whatever Proverb corresponds with the particular date.  Thirty-one chapters makes that a pretty handy deal.  Reason?  I need Wisdom.  As a matter of fact, I desperatly need Wisdom.  Too much is at stake to fool around with simple human logic.  There’s an end to all that.  There’s no end to the Wisdom that God offers and He’s a great rewarder of those that diligently seek after Him.  So I’m a seeker. (whoops…that word will get ya in trouble… whole ‘nother blog:)

I’ve always dreamed and thought that the Church (big C…including the full body of Christ..regardless of denomination or tradition) was the hope because we re-present Jesus Christ.  We can actively impact the world in ways that bring people into a relationship with Christ, thus restoring peace with the Creator of the Universe.  Heck, if God be for you, who can be against you, right?  People are on God’s heart; they should be on mine.

God is into the transforming business…I should know.  He desires, as a matter of fact His will is that none should perish.  We got work in the world to do and that work can lead to an entire planet being transformed.  Told ya I was a dreamer.  I just think God can do anything…change my heart, change a city, change a nation…you get the idea.

So last Sunday, the 14th, I came across an incredible verse.  Granted I’ve been doing this for awhile so in my Amplified Bible dang near everything is underlined multiple times. (A guy like me need repetition to get it through this thick skull) This one musta gotten glanced over before.  I’ve been chewing on it ever since and asking God how can I come alongside of Him, play the role I’m created to play and see His purposes fulfilled in my life:

“Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) ELEVATES A NATION, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34

What’s your responsibility?  Do you even care?…getabsorbed…n

I remember the day like it was yesterday.

If I close my eyes I can actually picture my room back home…there…I can see the posters of Bird and Johnson adorning the walls like some dimensionally challenged idols.  I can smell the socks and t-shirts piling up in the closet floor of a warbling pre-teen.  And I can see.. THE BOOK.

It wasn’t a big book by any means. No, nothing out of the ordinary but what caught my eye was the way it was strategically positioned on the small table by the window.  The last rays of the afternoon sun striking the cover of the book threw off a glimmer-flash that momentarily blinding me.  Rubbing my young eyes and moving toward the small table, I slowly picked up the offending object.

You and Your Body.

I read the words slowly, methodically, gazing at the accompanying illustrations .  You and Yo…whoa! Oh crap.  I immediately put the book down and wheeled around, positive that my little brother or my mom or shoot, the nun at piano lessons would be standing there shaking their heads in a chorus of disapproval.  This was a book about REPRODUCTION and I was a little more than embarrassed.  My how things change:)

At 37 and now fully absorbed into the church world, the only thing that embarrasses me is the obvious LACK of healthy reproduction in the lives of leaders.  God is all about reproduction, multiplication and fruit-bearing lives and I’m not just talking about physically either.

If there isn’t spiritual multiplication; some type of intentional way that you reproduce the healthy things that God is doing in YOUR life into the life of someone else, then chances are you’re not fully alive.  Not healthy?  Here’s a challenge for ya.  If you KNOW someone is counting on you to grow in your relationship with Christ because THEIR life depends on it, I got money says the little things that trip you up will get suddenly small.  This isn’t pressure…it’s refinement for Kingdom purpose.  Paul said follow me as I follow Christ.  The guy was into reproduction…and he’s got spiritual kids all through the generations to prove it.  What about you?…getabsorbed…n

So back to the chain-gang…(see previous post if you have no idea what I’m saying…which I still may have no idea but you’re more than welcome to check out the post:)

I would imagine in Biblical times, chain swappin was pretty obvious.   Jewish folks were so ingrained in the Jewish culture that even after trusting in the work of Christ instead of their own, they would often revert back to their former ways.  In Christ they had been made free of their chains but circumcision, religious rituals…strictly adhering to external rules and regulations (shiny chains) was prevalent among new converts and often the topic of discussion in many New Testament writings.  Great pressure was applied by the Pharisees and religious leaders to get folks to accept a hybrid Christianity.  “Sure son, trust in Christ but the only way to TRUE salvation is by living in bondage to the old way.  Here’s some cool chains.  Aren’t they pretty?”  Uhhh..ok.  Yeah…people were dang confused.  Still are…

Maybe we don’t struggle wondering whether to slit the throats of animals and set em on fire on an altar like the Jews did but we do often submit to a bondage that Christ died to free us from.  Notice I’m not talking about reverting to an old, sinful life.  (I’ll deal with that in another post) I’m talking about how we’re often trading in TRUE, CHAINS-FREE, CHRIST BOUGHT FREEDOM for chains that LOOK good, look religious..all shiny and whatnot.  We even polish them or worse yet allow others to.

Here’s the crazy deal:  Either Christ’s death, burial and resurrection sets you free or it doesn’t.  No, that’s not some deep philosophical thought although I appreciate the kudos.  It’s just simple Hoosier logic and a very Biblical concept, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” (Galatians 5:1)  You’re either walking free or you’re not. Simple.

Here’s the crazy kicker to the previous crazy deal:  When you’ve been set free and made right with God by trusting in the work of Christ, you transformationally (nathan word) over time, WANT to follow some rules and regulations!  It’s nuts!  The external stuff you used to whine and moan about doing or not doing, you suddenly do or don’t do because transformation (by the Holy Spirit) is happening internally!  It’s not chains cause no one is forcing you.  “Live by the Spirit and you’ll not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”  (Galatians 5:16) It’s Spirit and you find yourself wanting to.

I’m on the journey of getting rid of these SHINY chains (cause I have the key…you do to:) and walking in the freedom that Christ has promised.  Just wonder if there are any other fellow chain swappers that might wanna…er..swap stories? …getabsorbed…n

Self awareness/examination is a rather lost art.  I know it because, well, I’m a “self.”

It’s easier to push, poke and generally point out the shortcomings of others but when it comes to me?  That can be one of the few times I’d much rather talk about YOU:)

Soooo…now that I’m aware that I’m not aware..:) here’s what I’ve become aware of: I’ve traded chains.

When I approached Jesus Christ, I had some nasty rusty, sharp, heavy, yucky chains.  Jesus broke ‘em.  Like snapped them in half and allowed me to stand with Him, bringing me into a place of unimaginable freedom.  His stripes healed me, His blood cleansed me, His death bought me, His life brings me Hope.

I think the man-made institution of religiosity gives these once bound people a condescending pat on the back, a cordial smile and a whole new set of chains.  Except these are shiny.

I only know cause I’ve been admiring mine…more to come…getabsorbed…n

Acts 13:22And when He had deposed him, He raised up David to be their king; of him He bore witness and said, I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart, who will do all My will and carry out My program fully. [I Sam. 13:14; Ps. 89:20; Isa. 44:28.]

I guess when all is said and done I want to stand before God knowing that I’ve been about following His heartbeat all the days of my life on earth. Yet when I look at David, I see a man that loved God and committed adultery. I see a shepherd/King that worshiped with songs that I sing today and yet had a man murdered in a premeditative fashion. I see a man that loudly lamented the death of his persecutor while struggling to maintain order in his own household. There’s gotta be something more that God looks at…

God looks at the heart and I believe that in spite of David’s somewhat bizarre outward expression, inwardly he desired to please his heavenly Father. I think his confidence in God’s ability to deliver him, his humility in the face of relentless opposition and his decision to take the high road when given the opportunity to kill are what marked the man. He knew his own frailty and propensity to sin. So did God…and that’s what mattered most…getabsorbed…n