The Dream Factory

Obstacles in My Path

I composed a prayer this morning:

"Lord, put those obstacles in my path today that cause me to trip over that which must not be ignored or avoided."

I can be absent minded and highly distracted. This insight into my own spiritual need for reminders emerged from the realm of the mundane.

I did not want to forget the fill my gym bag with the clothes from the dryer and take it with me this morning. So I placed it in the doorway of the hall through which I pass on the way to my car.

I either trip over it or take care of business (or both).

I do that. I put my car keys on my wallet because I cannot go anywhere without the keys and should not without my wallet.

I can set up some spiritual safeguards, but the really big ones require outside help.

So I pray things like, "God, make me nauseous over the sin in my life," and "Lord, remind me of why I am really here when I start thinking it is all about me."

It seems to work ... most of the time.

However, sometimes I need stronger prayer and stronger intervention. I need the "trip me up" level of praying. I can be stubborn at times.

A friend, Darryl Curry, recently posted one of my favorite verses:

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6

It caused me to reflect:

Funny how it takes both trust in God and rejection of my own self-sufficiency. I sometimes get stuck in a thinking loop of my own invention and fail to see outside of it. But sometimes, I doubt the quiet promptings of the Spirit to move forward.

Some trust , but continue to lean on their own understanding. Others lean not on their own understanding, but don't trust God either. 

The first group gets bull-headed and everyone does what they want to do. As a result, they sometimes miss the subtleties that only God sees.

The second gets frozen by fear and does nothing.

It takes both trust in God and rejection of my own stubborn inclinations to move in the God is leading.

At least, I find that true in my own life having been both bull-headed and frozen from time to time.

So, I need to refine this walk a bit and, until I "get it" fine tuned, I need some "reminders" along the way.

Polarized for the Wrong Reasons

I am not against polarization. It is built into the nature of the universe. It bestows balance and keeps our planet in proper orbit.

I am against polarization for the wrong reasons. I am opposed to opposition for the sake of opposition.

I am opposed to vitriolic utterances against our opponents just because they have differing perspectives.

I am opposed to almost every political ad I see in opposition to the other side.  First, one caricatures ones opponent and distorts his or her viewpoint. Then, one attacks that person's character.

And all this is done with cliches and lowest common denominator appeals to our sensibilities with the assumption that we are unable to think for ourselves.

And it works!

I am opposed to good people being mean and nasty to other good people.

I am opposed to the over simplification of complex issues.

We are in a dangerous place in this nation and in the church. It is not because of any of the reasons that cited by opposite poles of opinion. We are in a dangerous place because of the number of people on either side who completely miss the point.

The point is that there is not always a point. Sometimes there are dull edges and gray areas of ideology that need to be discussed intelligently and respectfully. We are becoming increasingly unwilling to do so and, we are missing the real point.

I speak to Christians here who are polarized by competing ideologies. Christians, in our zeal and desire for truth, miss the core truth and the core command of our Master - the call to love at all costs and to love supremely.

What would it mean in and to our nation if we really loved God and other people as we are commanded to do?

We would not blindly surrender our differing perspectives. We would not glibly gloss over our viewpoints. We would not be silent about our convictions. But we would meet our neighbors differently. We would greet our opponents with greater grace. We would look our adversaries in the eye and we would listen to them.

We would speak respectfully to them and of them.

And we, the church, would set the example and lead the way to a more civil society.

And we would find solutions to some of our deep and pressing problems.

Even more important is the possibility that we would actually point the way to Jesus rather than obscuring the view for those who are seeking authenticity.

If we do not learn to love and practice love, I believe that this polarization can destroy our nation. More than any perceived threats from the right or the left, incivility and polarization will destroy us.

Our core problem is that we are operating with a love deficit.

The call to God's people is to create a stimulus package -  to stimulate love in our world by practicing love.

It is called being salt and light.

Will we?

I Had Been Writing about Writing, but Haven't Written Anything Since ...

... not since the last time I wrote.

I wonder how much I write is really just an exercise in getting my own attention on something.

How much of it is just a probe into my brain through the exercise of typing a few words to prime the pump?

How much of it is something that, somehow, needs to be communicated beyond my own awareness?

Sometimes I really have something to say. That is when it is exceptionally hard to say it. Perhaps it is because of the self-imposed pressure to 'say it just right" and get all my thoughts in some orderly arrangement.

But, now, for instance, there is no pressure because I don't have any particular axe to grind. I come to this moment with no idea about what to write or why.

I am not saying that this is not important. My not knowing is no criteria for insignificance. I am a tool in a Larger Hand and writing is a tool in my hand. I simply opened this "Compose" page to make myself available.

I have done so and I seem to be out of words.

That could, of course be remedied, but my 7:30 appointment just showed up 20 minutes early.

That happens and it someones works into the plan.

As I said the other  day, "write something."

Write Something

Writing will prove to be a great burden if you insist on maintaining your perfectionism.

If you must say it perfectly, you will find it difficult to say anything.

If you fear mistakes, you will be reluctant to tap the "publish" icon.

If typographical errors cause you to tremble with humiliation, blogging may not be your forte.

These phobias can be overcome and you can emerge as a carefree, candid, and fallible blogger just like me. in fact, you can emerge as a self-publishing machine with multiple "correctables" if you will take this simple advice:

WRITE SOMETHING!

You may not think you have anything about which to write. It doesn't matter. You may not have the right words. No one cares. (Make them up if you must as I just did.) You may not feel accomplished. Practice. You may doubt that anyone wants to read you. Don't worry about it.

Just write. The ideas will come. The words will come. The people will come to read.

Lose the perfectionism and get on with it. If you have the itchy urge, follow it.

you can fix your mistakes later.

Be bold; be vulnerable; be free.

Write something!

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." - Eccleisastes 9:10

What is free? Today, I am at Border's Books for free access. Of course, the question is about what "free" really means.  I bought coffee, three magazines, and one book. But I have the warm feeling that I am not paying directly for the Internet. Someone at a nearby table is speaking pleasantly and softly about great ideas.

I am glad grace has no strings attached.

Still, I am grateful to be here.

A Square in the Square

I am in the public square again ... writing.

I got a good handle on my sermon on the stationary bike at the gym. Now, as you can see, i am blogging.

I like doing more than one thing at a time.

I like being alone in a crowd.

I also like talking to people.

And seclusion is good too .. everything in its time.

This food court in the mall actually has some hidden electrical outlets for plugging in laptops. Why else would they exist?

Since I ordered so little, they gave me my chicken at the Chinese place for $2.18 including tax. I ate half and gave the other half away to a skate boarder dude who had just bombed out trying to get a date with a girl in a nearby booth.

He was most pleased ... with the chicken ... not with the failure of his romantic overtures.

Did I mention the free wireless access?

I am actually what we used to call a square, not "with-it," and relatively "uncool." But, I like to hang around places where cool people gather - like a square in the square.

It makes you think thoughts ... like whether or not that skater dude shared the chicken with his two friends - like whether or not the girl in the next booth really did have a boyfriend ... and is that who she is texting right now?

Who is the lady with the two really well behaved and cute preschoolers calling? Why did she later decide that they were not behaving well and take them away?

Is the guy two booths down, who is the size I was 5 months, ago getting enough to eat?

What are all these people thinking and doing?

If I start coming here regularly, will there be conversations trivial or deep? We will all start to recognize each other.

Someone behind me and behind the counter just said business has been really slow. I think it is the young lady who gave me such a great price on the chicken. Nice young lady!

Will it pick up? Can this wonderful place survive now that I am really discovering it?

What would Jesus do here?

Wrong question perhaps. The right question might be: What is Jesus doing here and am I, somehow, part of it? Can i be? should I be? Will I be?

Is there a place for a square in the public square?

Another Moment Within a Moment

Sitting at McDonalds, in the Play Place to be specific, I am trying to crank out whatever I can.

Free Wi-Fi is not working, but the grandchildren have finally engaged in some creative play.

I have a moment and I am seizing it. My laptop battery is charged and so am I.

I brought enough materials to give me some choices . If I had not done that, I would not have been able to do this.

“What have I done?”

Legitimate question.

I have demonstrated the truth of the last posting which was also accomplished in this moment.

Now it is time to go.

Another Moment Within a Moment

Sitting at McDonalds, in the Play Place to be specific, I am trying to crank out whatever I can.

Free Wi-Fi is not working, but the grandchildren have finally engaged in some creative play.

I have a moment and I am seizing it. My laptop battery is charged and so am I.

I brought enough materials to give me some choices . If I had not done that, I would not have been able to do this.

“What have I done?”

Legitimate question.

I have demonstrated the truth of the last posting which was also accomplished in this moment.

Now it is time to go.

I only had a moment to think about moments …

Take the Moment

Fritter, fright, flight, or flow. Those are the choices when time expected becomes time allotted and we are disappointed with the time we get.

“I need more time,” is a common cry among the hurried, harried, and harassed of the earth. But there is no more time. The time we have is the time we get.

Most of us fritter the time that we think is not enough for meaningful work.

Or we fritter it further by futilely fighting for fleeting moments that cannot be given by the givers of the earth.

Or we flee from the uncomfortable reality that our plans and expectations will not come to fruition.
With each of those choices, we waste more time and fail to accomplish anything in the moments we have.

All we can do, and remain productive, is flow with and in the moment.

Time how long it takes to savor the flavor of a sip of sweet tea. It is a moment. Track the seconds it takes to entertain a powerful thought. A moment.

When I put something in the microwave, I do not stand and wait for the beep. I go and do something.
And I get it done – in a moment.

Don’t just seize the day; seize the moment!

Movement in the moment can make all the difference in what you produce. If it is only a moment, take it; live it; use it; make a difference!

You have this moment. What will you do with it?

Redeeming the time

(A moment is what I had to write this post.)

Words Matter

Words matter because, in some mysterious way, they are alive.

"Logos," is defined most often as "word," but it is also "principle," "idea," "truth," or "the things spoken of." It is also the act of speaking.

It is both in-transient and dynamic.

You speak a word, with our without intent, and the DNA of that word plants itself in the soul of the hearer. There, is is influenced by biases and that soul's own hunger. It takes root and bears fruit.

We ought to choose our words so that they are clear, compelling, compassionate, and consistent with what we truly want they to convey and accomplish.

We ought to choose them before we speak them. Choose them with intent and purpose. Choose them knowing that after we release them, we will no longer have control over how they are received or what they will do in the lives of others.

We need to remember that words matter and that they can build up or tear down.

Let us speak to edify.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." - Proverbs 25:11

Writing in the Public Square

The title could mean at least two different things.

To write in the public square might mean to write something that is meant to be widely read and discussed among the public. That is a good thing. However, success depends upon writing well, addressing timely topics, creating interest, and attracting attention.

I may or may not be doing that right now.

Yet, I am certain that I am writing in the public square because I am sitting in a public place and writing.

That is the other meaning.

And where I sit informs my writing because, as the world passes by my private seat, some of their questions, hurts, conversations, and energy get inside me and inform me and the questions I ask and answer.

I often need privacy to write, but at the moment, I am getting all I need in the public square.

Now, will anyone read it?

More to Do

There is more to do than can be done.

There is a smorgasbord of fun.

The race is longer than can be run.

Face it; we are under the gun.

So ... do what you can while you can.

"“As long as it is day, I must do the work of Him Who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” John 9:4"

Margins Too Wide and Too Narrow

I'm working on margins.

I come to this challenge from time to time and I find it to be a balancing act between making them too wide and too narrow.

If they are so wide that you could drive a truck through them, there is the danger of wasting time between events and responsibilities. That is, unless you carry around a sack of contingency tasks.

Even if you do, you have to take a moment to decide which one fits best with the geography and time allotted - as well as the time of day.

If they are too narrow, you may find that there is not enough time for the most important tasks you'd like to "fit in."

Either way, you have to use your head and that can be painful.

A more important lesson to learn is that no matter how detailed and well considered our plans, there are people and circumstances beyond our control that can alter our plans. If we become to rigid about them, we will crack.

The mighty redwoods are tall, strong, and deeply rooted ... but they are also quite flexible.

Maybe I will use a margin to go stare at one and get back with you.

Love Edifies through Words

One implication of the fact that love edifies is manifest in our use of words to communicate knowledge.

Knowledge, of the sort that puffs up, is shared with the goal of aggrandizing ourselves and asserting our superiority over ideas and people.

Love, when shared in words and deeds, is for the good of others.

We weigh what we say to determine the potential benefit and share on that basis.

When there is no benefit, it may be that silence is the order of the day.

Love Edifies

"... Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies."  - I Corinthians 8:1 (NKJV)

To edify is to build something from the ground up ... like people ... toward the direction of their purposes and dreams.

We can know much and build little.

Knowledge plus pride is just puffiness.

Knowledge plus love brings wisdom.

Wisdom leads to good choices.

Good choices lead to growth.

Love is wiser than knowledge. It takes knowledge and humbly employs it in the service of others.

The test of love or puffy knowledge is in whether or not people are being built up.

How utterly quotable one might be if words were fewer and not so free.

Say It

Here is a little formula for saying what you want to say: S.A.Y.- I.T.

S - Search your own heart and mind for what you really want to convey.

A - Assess your audience so that you can access their attention.

Y - Yell softly. Choose high impact words. Notice how the room gets quiet to hear a whisper.

I - Involve multiple senses and receptors.

T - Terminate before you lose attention. It is better to stop short and leave the door open for future interaction.

Say It

Here is a little formula for saying what you want to say: S.A.Y.- I.T.

S - Search your own heart and mind for what you really want to convey.

A - Assess your audience so that you can access their attention.

Y - Yell softly. Choose high impact words. Notice how the room gets quiet to hear a whisper.

I - Involve multiple senses and receptors.

T - Terminate before you lose attention. It is better to stop short and leave the door open for future interaction.

Saying More With Fewer Words

"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." - Proverbs 10:19 (New International Version (©1984))

I am working on using fewer words to say more.

At the very least, there is a hopeful suspicion that more might be read, understood, retained, and activated in choices.

Add the decreased possibilities of slipping into one of many snares of life that are labeled with my name (or so it seems).

There is much more that I could say, but there is wisdom in not saying too much.

That is our working assumption after all.