An Abundant Life

Anne Jackson asked this question on her blog:

What does an abundant life look like to you?

Here was my 10 second, off the cuff comment….

If you check out Anne’s blog, you’ll read a lot of really great responses of what the abundant life is – in Christ.

My response looks at it purely from a material perspective. In fact, I sound a little angry. I’m starting to understand this strange unexpected perspective of ‘a life of abundance’ colliding with the actions of helping those in need. It’s almost as if when my hands and feet interact with people in need (with the overarching goal to help) – that anger is some sort of odd by-product. Maybe righteous anger? I don’t know.

Thoughts?

friday thought – GoGurt

After finishing lunch today, here’s my Friday thought

yogurt is really really good in a tube

GoGurt Portable Yogurt, affectionately referred to as “tubes” by my kids – are a staple in our house. And when Dad packs his lunch – they are fair game…

one clear choice

Here is the prayer God gave me today…

God, give me one clear choice – that is awesome.  And help me to follow.  Amen.

This was spurred on by two things:

1.  A breakfast meeting with Jon (who totally spurs me on, & maybe instigates a bit too).
2. And by the lyrics of James Blunt.  (God can work mysteriously, right?)

On Blunt’s new album there’s a song called “Same Mistake“.  I don’t completely understand the song, and I don’t necessarily think it’s theological.  But the lyrics do capture my prayer to God right now…

I’m not calling for a second chance,
I’m screaming at the top of my voice.
Give me reason but don’t give me choice.
‘Cause I’ll just make the same mistake again.

HBC – 25 years of worshiping together

Libby and I started attending Hockessin Baptist church (HBC) in 1998. We’ve had such a great time worshiping there. The place is very alive to God. People are real, and it’s a place that real spiritual healing happens on a weekly basis.

I LOVE leading special services. I had the opportunity to help lead our 25 year anniversary service a few weeks ago. It was such a blast to be in the presence of God, celebrating what he’s done over the last 25 years – and looking ahead to what he will do through His little piece of the body @ HBC.

I believe He will do great things. Even this coming year I’m excited of what He will do. I’ve been talking to Jon and Rick about a worship idea I have. I have this vision of HBC getting together on a monthly basis to worship in an informal setting. Right now it’s called “Embers”….the idea is to have a place where we can come together and be free to worship God, practicing different elements of worship. I’m really excited about it. I’ll be talking more about my ideas later.

Here is the set list from the 25 year anniversary…

Set #1

1. Here I Am to Worship (D)
2. You Are My God (D) – I love this song, it proclaims that “early in the morning we will rise to meet him.”
3. Ancient of Days (E) – I think I said something like “this is the song that helped us find our funkier side”.
4. Great is Thy Faithfulness (C)

Set #2

Set #2 was neat because we started with How Great Thou Art, then ended with the chorus of How Great – “Then Sings My Soul…” by taging it to How Great Is Our God. The idea was to have book ends to the set. I love when things come full circle.

1. How Great Thou Art (G)
2. Blessed Be Your Name (A) – Joanna has a great post on this song here…read it!
3. Jesus, All For Jesus (D) – Brett has a great post about this song here…read it too!
4. How Great Is Our God (G) – resolved to “Then Sings My Soul” for the book end.

I love worshiping God with all my friends @ HBC. We have such a great group of people.

If you go to HBC, chime in on something you love about our body of believers….

i love stainless steel coffee mugs – “finishing”

Apparently, I’m really good at drinking coffee and bringing stainless steel coffee mugs to work. I’m not so good at taking them home….sorry Lib.

I hate doing things half-way, but I’m good at it. It’s easy to start something (like taking coffee mugs to work) but I need to work on the finishing part of things…two good friends recently encouraged me to finish something I’ve been trying to finish for the last 2 months. Why are some things so hard to finish??? even if they’re important?

Hey – what do you need to finish that you’ve been putting off?

Here are a few pictures from my typical work set up….this is where it all happens.

I like VW’s and Audi’s….and other things from Germany (like my wife)

confession of my lameness

i’ve had a terribly unproductive day here at work – i feel bad – i need to start working better. my mind and soul is not here at all…only my body. lame!

kick me next time you see me, ok now i’m going to go to work – reviewing a stormwater management report. ~double lameness~