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Archives For November 30, 1999

Hello. My name is Dennis…and I’m a multi-tasker

May 1, 2009 — 2 Comments

OK, I’ll admit it; I’m a compulsive multi-tasker.  I’m doing it right now as I write this.  I do it all the time – even when I don’t realize it!  It can be an advantage – getting more “stuff” done in less time and I’m obsessive enough that I’m typically pleased with the results (ok, maybe not all the time.)  But one area that I really challenge myself on NOT multi-tasking is during my focused time alone with God.  I’m not saying I’m always successful, but I try.  Jesus did it – He carved time out to focus and pray – so should I:

“When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.”  Matthew 14:13

“…He went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.  When evening came, He was there alone…”  Matthew 14:23

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up…”  Mark 1:35

I believe focused time alone with God is crucial for every believer.  Without it, we’re unprepared, running aimlessly and punching at open space as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9…picture a noted computer entrepreneur dancing on TV, its bad (ok, he tried, but it was still bad – not that there is anything wrong with bad dancing). Sadly, without focused time alone with God, we’re missing out on [don’t miss this] communion with the Creator of the whole universe. This is nothing new or profound, but it is basic.

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IT’S OBIVOUS…don’t miss it!

April 23, 2009 — Leave a comment

sunset

We’ve all seen it on the news…a reporter standing in a war zone talking into the camera – gunfire and bombs going off in the distance. He or she knows the gunfire and bombs are there, but keeps talking – giving the news, describing their surroundings. Suddenly, the gunfire or bombs are no longer in the distance…we see them “hit the deck” – now, they are fully aware of their surroundings. We say to ourselves (or the TV) – “hello, don’t you know what is going on all around you?”

Sadly,  it is often like that for us…with GOD? We know He is THE Almighty and Sovereign Creator – but we miss the obvious affirmation of HIS creation!
O, the Psalm 19-of it all! We take for granted the mind-boggling fact that He was and is so creative by not fully “seeing” everything around us – at any given moment, whether you’re standing on the beach or (like me right now) sitting in front of a computer (“I’m a PC!”  But I love my iPod & iPhone – guess I’m conflicted.)

Think about the snowball effect of our Awesome God’s Genesis 1:3 command. The person sitting next to you, the one on your mind right now, the phone you’re holding, the car you’re driving down the freeway in at 65.1 MPH…while Twittering, the iPod you’re listening to, the amazing creation that you are about to shuttle to soccer/baseball/gymnastics practice, the beans that were cooked/ground up/brewed that you are drinking, the very ground/carpet/pavement you’re standing on…all a result of those four, powerful, monosyllabic words: Let there be light!

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“Take My LIFE, Please!” NOT “Take My WIFE, Please”

April 20, 2009 — 1 Comment

hennyMaybe it’s just me, but isn’t it funny how we often associate things we experience or hear with something we’ve done, heard, or seen before. It’s that déjà vu thing…all over again. Wow, I hope it isn’t just me!

Many of us have probably heard that famous one-liner, “Take my wife, please”…actually originated by Henny Youngman and not Rodney Dangerfield. (if you’re not with me – Google it!) Youngman probably didn’t “really” want someone to “take his wife” – it was a great one-liner, for which he is remembered and that got him tons of laughs.

Recently, that one-liner came to mind.  I was driving to work and the Passion Band version of the hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be” came on the iPhone. It’s a great hymn of surrender and I really like the added chorus by Tomlin and Giglio – in fact, we sang it at church this past Sunday.

Anyway, shift to me driving down the road (in traffic) singing/mumbling the words – I’ll admit, probably thinking of a bunch of other stuff (like trying to not rear-end the car in front of me!). I got through most of the song before I really realized what I was saying/singing/mumbling – wow, some pretty serious lyrics!

Did I really mean them? Could I actually sing them…honestly?

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Two Thoughts on the Susan Boyle Phenomenon

April 17, 2009 — 6 Comments

sb-postSo by now you’ve probably heard about Susan Boyle and her experience on the UK TV show Britain’s Got Talent – it’s all over YouTube and she’s even on Wikipedia! If you haven’t, you gotta get out more!

The obvious lesson here is how we judge by appearances – all of us. Whether we are willing to admit it or not, we do it. We know it’s wrong and unfair, but it’s a natural reaction…

In an interview with the Washington Post, Boyle said it all to well:

“Modern society is too quick to judge people on their appearances. … There is not much you can do about it; it is the way they think; it is the way they are. But maybe this could teach them a lesson, or set an example.”

That’s the obvious take away…I have two other observations:

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TRUE, True Beauty

April 8, 2009 — Leave a comment

treu-beautyConfession time. I admit it – I watched the recent ABC series True Beauty. I guess I could call it “research on the human condition”; but really I just was just intrigued – and at times saddened – by how people act when no one is looking. Honestly, some self-examination is probably needed here also!

If you are not familiar with the show (or won’t admit it), here is the show’s description from the ABC website:

The series will determine the True Beauty of six stunning females and four handsome males who will live together in a spectacular Los Angeles mansion as they undergo a series of challenges to determine who is truly the most beautiful.

The gorgeous contestants assume they’re being judged solely on their outer appearance. They’re only half right; outer beauty is one component the judges are looking for, but contestants are also being evaluated — unbeknownst to them — for their INNER beauty as well when they’re put through scenarios and situations that require them to make moral decisions.

I will spare you the details on the show (actually you can “research” it for yourself on ABC’s website.) Most episodes were pretty sad in showing how people acted (although there was some good behavior exhibited.) I’m not completely judging, since basically we are all the same – albeit in varying degrees – and nobody’s perfect except for GOD. Honestly, I’m probably just as guilty of the vanity, selfishness, etc. that was exhibited by the show’s contestants.

The bottom line is that in addition to being a GUT CHECK for me (my heart and my actions), the show really reminded me of what true beauty is – or actually WHO true beauty is: Jesus Christ. His beautiful love for us was and is shown in SO many ways (the biggest of which was His death on the cross for you and for me).  In truth, I only truly see but a glimpse of it through my sin-clouded vision (O to Grace how great a debtor…am I).

The little that I am blessed enough to see makes me want to cry out in praise:

x

“AWESOME GOD AND GRACIOUS SAVIOR,
YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL!”

x
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Thinking About Mom.

April 6, 2009 — 1 Comment

mom_heart_tattoo

One year ago today was the last time I saw my mom this side of heaven.  I had traveled to see her and my family in Montana since she had been sick and was back in the hospital.  As had been the case many times, her room was the gathering point for the family.  It was a great visit – all we really did was just spend time together – with each other…with Mom.  We laughed, cried, ate, talked, prayed – it was nice.  In my heart, I knew her time was close and I will always be glad I went.

If someone in your life has passed away, I’m sure you’ll agree that there are things that bring thoughts of them to you as you go through any given day – leading to tears, laughter, smiles, etc. As I was driving to work recently, doing my morning multi-task drive/prayer/worship, the Charlie Hall song below came on and just reminded me of my mom and the later stages of her life here on earth.

My mom’s body was weak and tired and I know at times she simply wanted Jesus to call her home (she would often tell us that)…but it was in His time, not hers (or ours). I get chills just thinking of my mom and the lines: Finally the voice I have followed for life / has a glorious face that is lit up with light / And you’ll come for me, no more pain, peace, / No more fear, release / just lost and consumed with my glorious King.

Mom is no longer tired or in pain, just worshiping her glorious Savior in His presence!

I can only imagine the day when I will say: Finally the voice I have followed for life / has a glorious face that is lit up with light.

Maranatha!

x
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Jesus loves us. Simply amazing.

April 4, 2009 — 1 Comment

jesus-hearts-u1Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so

Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong

Yes Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me

Yes Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so

Many of us learned that song when we were young. We know God loves us, but do we KNOW it…grasp its deep and intense truth?

God loves us with a perfect and profound love that is honestly hard for us to fully comprehend. We can read about it, watch it in a movie about His life, but to fully understand is difficult – we are humans…He is God. We really must simply accept His love for what it is – a gift undeserved, immeasurable, and quite simply amazing.

Just think of it – the creator of the entire universe LOVES YOU AND ME! HE LOVES US!

As we celebrate Holy Week and ultimately Easter, I pray we each personalize it:

For God so loved [insert your name here] that he gave His one and only Son, that if [insert your name here] believes in Him he shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn [insert your name here], but to save [insert your name here] through Him. – John 3:16-17

Again: The creator of the entire universe LOVES YOU AND ME! HE LOVES US!

I love the way the Andrew Peterson song below says that God loves me as I am, as I was, and as I will be – really meaning that God’s love for us always existed and will never end. No matter how distorted my view of His love is (based on my limited, human knowledge and understanding of love), the fact is that God’s love is so much more deeper and stronger than I can even come close to comprehending. Its perfect love. Something that we really cannot give and truly can only receive from the One who is perfect: Christ.

Meditate on these lyrics, reflect on how much God loves you, and really personalize this coming week – from Palm Sunday, through each day, to Good Friday, and ultimately to Easter Sunday. Everything Christ went through was out of love for you and for me. Simply amazing.

x
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Earth Hour? Hey, God Doesn’t Want Us to be GREEN!

April 3, 2009 — 1 Comment

bluetreegodofthiscitySo, March 28th at 8:30 PM was “Earth Hour” around the world.  It was an event whose purpose was to urge world leaders to take action to fight global warming.  A noble cause, but:

I firmly believe that God calls us to NOT be GREEN! Honest…it’s in the Bible – I have a verse!!

Now that I have your attention – let me explain!

A little over a year ago, I first heard Chris Tomlin’s God of This City and immediately liked it. As I tried to find the guitar music (it wasn’t out as it was so new), I discovered that the song was actually written and originally recorded by an Irish worship band called Bluetree. One internet search led to another and I found the music AND the Band’s CD. Ah – another little known artist to listen to…and enjoy!

Fast forward to March 2009 and Bluetree has re-released their CD – sporting a new cover and title (the original title was “Greater Things”).  Well, it’s back on my iPhone (proudly sporting my original cover and title!) and I highly recommend giving it a listen.

Bluetree’s website is: http://www.givmusic.com/bluetree/ The story behind God of this City is pretty cool! [Their version of the song is quite different than Tomlin’s – I like both.]

“Dennis, alright already! Get to the part about God not wanting us to be GREEN!”

WELL…It’s all in a name…and a great song! An article I read on Bluetree said that their band name comes from their belief that we (as Christians) are called to stand out in the forest of people – just as a BLUE TREE would in a forest of GREEN trees.  Pretty creative and profound as band names go!

Thus, “God Doesn’t Want Us to be Green!” We are to stand out just as Christ did!

Check it out:

  • “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” – Jesus [John 17:16]
  • “Do not be conformed to this world…” – Paul [Romans 12:2]

I love how the Bluetree song below talks not only about BEING a “blue tree”, but also about having an IMPACT as a “blue tree”. We are to be gathered and scattered Christ Worshippers (probably another good post topic)!

BTW, Karen and I DO recycle!  I don’t recall what we were doing at 8:30 on the 28th, but hopefully it was earth-friendly!



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