Logical + Unexplainable = Truth

The most logical thing i know is also the most unbelievable and unexplainable thing I know.  It just doesn't make sense, and yet makes complete sense.....

It's the good news of Jesus Christ,

the love of a creator,

the forgiveness and second chances,

the grace and mercy of someone who desires our love, and allows the free will for us choose him or to deny him. 

Our creator loves us so much, and desires our love so much, that he made an example of himself for us

to know,

to follow,

to learn,

to live by. 

All so we could be saved from an eternal separation from him.

Choose,

Know,

Follow,

Learn,

Live.

Consider Love,

Consider Change,

Consider Christ.

Be. Live. Love.

It's been about four months since I last wrote. The main reason is because of change. Some major change. Changes that have been happening in my life, which are outlined and eluded to in my previous post.

I've been making some major life choices.

My world has virtually been shifting it's axis.

Instead of being in the world of retail food sales, management, multiple volunteer organizations, and college studies,
I am now part of something a little different, a world of help,
in the midst of despair.
a world of hope,
among the trouble.
a world of learning,
during times of ignorance.

It's been busy.

Now that I'm working for an organization called Heartlight Ministries, I have an amazing opportunity to be part of a world that is all around us,
even though many don't see it.
A world that needs love.
during a time of need.
I am in the midst of people,
who need
Love!

These times and people are usually also in the midst of trouble, conflict, and trying situations.
The kinds of things that test the will, strength, and drive to be.
And, unfortunately, it's the kind of stuff that drives people away into destructive life styles, low self-worth, depression, self-loathing, and apathy.

And that's where I find a passion, and desire, and empathy, and love.
Not just in what is,
but also in what could be.

Joy in the pain.
Patience during conflict.
Joy in the suffering.
Hope through despair.
Joy in life for what it is....

and
as much as I can teach, I can learn even more.
as much as I'm helping, I'm being helped even more.
as much as i can push others, I'm being pushed even more.

The greatest joys I've found have been in the midst of mutual respect, in hope, in living life together with others, and in honoring an ultimate drive to better the world around me,
to help others,
to be helped,
to be loved,
and to love,
no matter what,
no matter who.


This is what I'm Considering,
this is my desire,
this is my challenge:

to not just do, but

to Be,
to Live,
to Love...

a busy ramble

When you hear talk about someone's plate being full, too many tasks and responsibilities, too much stuff in their lives, it's easy to see. It's easy to recognize when they're taking on too much. We even feel inclined to give some friendly advice and suggest courses of action that could help them simplify their lives, and maybe help them gain some sanity that they once knew.

But I am one of them. And I've been fortunate enough to have those guiding friends, and advice.

But I also know enough about myself to know that it's not that simple.

Don't get me wrong, advice is great. Encouragement for me to live a better, healthier, simpler, and less stressful life is very encouraged and welcomed.

But it's not as easy as a one-time suggestion, or a loving slap in the back of the head to say "hey, knock it off."

I've found that the most beneficial guidance through this over-stressed and complicated life is just that, 'guidance'....

My plate was not full..... It was overflowing!!
So much so that things were getting messy. Life was busy. If I wasn't doing something, I was thinking of what needed to be done. I have even commented a few times that I forget what it's like to be bored... I haven't been bored since high-school (10 years ago)...

So why? What's wrong with me?

Well, quite simply, I was, and sometimes still am, a gluton for busyness. But it's one of those self-realizations that I'm working to apply to my life.

I was raised and grew up with the understanding that if I'm not 'doing' something than I'm a failure. Whether it was intended to be that way or not is irrelevant, that's how I saw it. And it took a long time, a near nervous breakdown, and many instances of near burnout induced stress for me to finally start pushing stuff off of my plate.

And for someone like me who is defined by and prideful of works, that's extremely difficult to do.

But something had to be done. Change was imminent, like it or not, for better or worse.... Things had to change...

So it began.

From the wise words of Sally Holubec, "boundries Bobby, boundries!"

To the everlasting wisdom of God, emphasizing the value of 'rest'.

To the new introspective views of myself borne from my desire to know people, know God, and know myself.

To ever-growing passion to be out, among people, helping people.

To the continued spiritual influences and growth in my life.

...

Time for Change!

So now I sit here in the Lehigh Valley International Airport... Three and a half hours early for my flight, which will take me to Texas to a job interview.. And as I sit here, I'm prompted to write all of this for two reasons.

One: I needed something to do.... Ironic right?

And Two: In the hopes that just one person out there could benifit and learn from my experience, this is for you....

Consider it.

a causal thought

The 1989 motion picture Field of Dreams made famous a phrase that has, does, and will forever shape our way of thinking about this world, our lives, and about everything we do in our lives.

“If you build it, they will come.”

Family, business, church, entertainment, and marketing, to name a few, have been both beneficiaries and victims to this way of thinking. Though in several areas of life this may work effectively, the fact still remains that there are many more factors involved in a person’s decision making process that would cause them to grasp or accept anything, or to go anywhere. Furthermore, we tend to narrow our parameters and begin to lose result as we lose purpose.

The fallacy and misconception of this ever-popular philosophy is not just in underestimating the complexities of choice, but also in ignoring purpose and in turn believing that by simply “building” something people would just “come.”

The solution is not in building, but it’s in first finding a commonality, and then strengthening that link to a level of appeal that would result in the formation of an infrastructure or organization. The success in the formation and strength of any organization or infrastructure begins with the strength, might, will, and purpose of the intangible foundation.

In families, the commonalities are most likely a surname and genealogy. Some say that there’s no greater bond than that of family. Yearly reunions are formed and wars have been fought for family. Small towns have been split and treaties have been signed for the sake of the family name.

In business, there are local, regional, and national organizations formed over commonalities. Whether it’s philanthropy or community growth or profit margin, common bonds in business have a foundation that stands the test of pride, money, and time. It’s evident from the well known LIONS Club to the community business associations or from trade schools to unions.

But one area that lacks in solid foundational understanding of commonalities, and that continues to struggle to survive under the aforementioned philosophy of “if you build it, they will come”, is the church. And, more notably, the religion that usually forms or attempts to form churches.

Whether a church or not, no matter the deity of belief, there’s a basic cause and effect relationship between what we believe and what we do; between belief and religion. A revealing, sometimes disheartening, and often avoidable question is: Which is the cause and which is the effect?

Consider This: Religion should be the result of your relationship with God, not a vehicle to Him.