"I used to be afraid of failing at something that really mattered to me,
But now
I'm more afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter."
Bob Goff
Love Does p. 25
Thomas Nelson 2012
What could I possibly add to that?
Lonnie
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
I DIDN'T EVEN CRY
"Neither of us was a very good shot and we rarely hit what we aimed for, so we just called whatever we hit the target."
Bob Goff
Love Does p.16
Thomas Nelson 2012
LOVE IT! It's the only way I'll win.
If a skill or sport requires aiming, count me out. I offer no serious competition--but, more likely, poor sportsmanship.
A young great-nephew was being taught not to cry when he lost a game. Family game done--neither of us won.
"And I didn't even cry," I said.
"No. But you did whine a little."
Never too old to learn.
Never too young to teach.
Lonnie
Bob Goff
Love Does p.16
Thomas Nelson 2012
LOVE IT! It's the only way I'll win.
If a skill or sport requires aiming, count me out. I offer no serious competition--but, more likely, poor sportsmanship.
A young great-nephew was being taught not to cry when he lost a game. Family game done--neither of us won.
"And I didn't even cry," I said.
"No. But you did whine a little."
Never too old to learn.
Never too young to teach.
Lonnie
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
OBNOXIOUS NOISES
" . . . but if you don't have love, you're obnoxious. This is the noisy gong, the clanging symbol of 1 Corinthians 13. If you hold correct doctrinal positions but are irritating to be around, you have missed the point."
John Eldredge
The Utter Relief Of Holiness p. 21
Faith Words 2013
As For Me
Crinkling a candy wrapper while you eat it . . .
Spoon clanking bowl while someone tries to get every last drop . . .
10+ keys jangling while you walk through a store or library . . .
Snapping gum . . .
"Do you know how wonderful I am?" conversations.
Yep. I've got a problem. Those everyday noises, barely noticeable to anyone else, drive me to Crabby Corner.
The point is, though, how they irritate me Is Not How I Want My Faith To Irritate Others.
Pandora and Earplugs Are Sanity Savers,
Lonnie
What noises "send you?" Can you use them as a reminder to love?
John Eldredge
The Utter Relief Of Holiness p. 21
Faith Words 2013
As For Me
Crinkling a candy wrapper while you eat it . . .
Spoon clanking bowl while someone tries to get every last drop . . .
10+ keys jangling while you walk through a store or library . . .
Snapping gum . . .
"Do you know how wonderful I am?" conversations.
Yep. I've got a problem. Those everyday noises, barely noticeable to anyone else, drive me to Crabby Corner.
The point is, though, how they irritate me Is Not How I Want My Faith To Irritate Others.
Pandora and Earplugs Are Sanity Savers,
Lonnie
What noises "send you?" Can you use them as a reminder to love?
Monday, May 28, 2018
TRANSGENDER AND THE CHURCH
"Compassion does not mean approval. But neither does compassion mean silence.
Compassion says,
"I'M SO SORRY YOU ARE EXPERIENCING DEEP INNER ANGUISH ABOUT YOUR GENDER. I CANNOT FATHOM THE TYPES OF STRUGGLES YOU EXPERIENCE,
"BUT I WOULD LIKE TO LISTEN TO YOU AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE HERE FOR YOU.
"I AM SORRY FOR ANY HURT OR REJECTION YOU'VE ENCOUNTERED FROM OTHERS.
" . . . YOU ARE LOVED."
(emphasis mine)
Andrew Walker
God and the Transgender Debate p. 101
The Goodbook Company 2017
As For Me
You might think that I began reading LGBTQ books after our grand-daughter came out as transgender. Not so.
Probably a decade ago, Sue attended our church in her "butch" haircut and overalls. A woman so willing to serve. Our church and pastor modeled love for her so well that I realized that the Church (and I) had not handled homosexuality well. I determined to change the world!
I have, by no means, changed the world. But God has changed me.
Through Sue, family, and co-workers, I continue to discover that there is so much more to a person than their sexual preference: talents, humor, compassion, and faithful friendship. I could easily follow each of those with exclamation points; but writers are told to use them sparingly.
It would seem that my next piece of this journey is to listen.
It will be difficult to initiate that conversation. Will they trust me when I do?
In Your Hands, God,
Lonnie
Compassion says,
"I'M SO SORRY YOU ARE EXPERIENCING DEEP INNER ANGUISH ABOUT YOUR GENDER. I CANNOT FATHOM THE TYPES OF STRUGGLES YOU EXPERIENCE,
"BUT I WOULD LIKE TO LISTEN TO YOU AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE HERE FOR YOU.
"I AM SORRY FOR ANY HURT OR REJECTION YOU'VE ENCOUNTERED FROM OTHERS.
" . . . YOU ARE LOVED."
(emphasis mine)
Andrew Walker
God and the Transgender Debate p. 101
The Goodbook Company 2017
As For Me
You might think that I began reading LGBTQ books after our grand-daughter came out as transgender. Not so.
Probably a decade ago, Sue attended our church in her "butch" haircut and overalls. A woman so willing to serve. Our church and pastor modeled love for her so well that I realized that the Church (and I) had not handled homosexuality well. I determined to change the world!
I have, by no means, changed the world. But God has changed me.
Through Sue, family, and co-workers, I continue to discover that there is so much more to a person than their sexual preference: talents, humor, compassion, and faithful friendship. I could easily follow each of those with exclamation points; but writers are told to use them sparingly.
It would seem that my next piece of this journey is to listen.
It will be difficult to initiate that conversation. Will they trust me when I do?
In Your Hands, God,
Lonnie
Friday, May 25, 2018
OLD DOGS
"You can teach an old dog new tricks
With
The right kind of treats."
Cynthia L. Copeland
really important stuff my kids have taught me
Workman Publishing 2015
Needing comic-relief today. I like this . . . and wonder what kind of treat I need. The last two weeks have been off the chart for this old dog. Red Licorice wouldn't touch it. Coffee, my drug of choice, made me crabby. I found myself dipping into my boss's nun cookie jar for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. I don't like peanut butter cups!
Was that the trick I was supposed to learn?
Hmmm. Know what I AM learning?
A new trick isn't mastered in a day.
Keeping my mouth shut, my schedule and expectations reasonable, and my fears down may take more than a few tries. But, God's Word assures me that . . .
1. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians)
And yet . . .
2. APART FROM HIM I can do nothing. (John 15)
I have found myself saying over and over, "Jesus I need you. Jesus I need you."
(I know. I'm here.)
Feeling Loved,
Lonnie
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
GETTING THERE
"God values the process as much as the outcome.
" . . . In our bottom-lined oriented society, it's vitally important to remember: How we get to the end is every bit as important as that we get there, because how we get there--the choices we make and the way we live between now and then--will determine who we are when we arrive."
Kenneth Boa & John Alan Turner
The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible p. 42
Baker Books 2008
As For Me
I don't know how I can be both goal oriented and a procrastinator; but I suppose there are odder ducks in the pond. At any rate, the end/completion is my focus--and via the shortest route, thank you.
But who I become . . . do I become irritable, proud, more patient, a pursuer of excellence, more compassionate? Do I become self-determined or God-reliant?
Rambling and Pondering,
(Join me--Does "the way" change when you consider who you are becoming?)
Lonnie
" . . . In our bottom-lined oriented society, it's vitally important to remember: How we get to the end is every bit as important as that we get there, because how we get there--the choices we make and the way we live between now and then--will determine who we are when we arrive."
Kenneth Boa & John Alan Turner
The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible p. 42
Baker Books 2008
As For Me
I don't know how I can be both goal oriented and a procrastinator; but I suppose there are odder ducks in the pond. At any rate, the end/completion is my focus--and via the shortest route, thank you.
But who I become . . . do I become irritable, proud, more patient, a pursuer of excellence, more compassionate? Do I become self-determined or God-reliant?
Rambling and Pondering,
(Join me--Does "the way" change when you consider who you are becoming?)
Lonnie
Saturday, May 12, 2018
IF I HAD TO CHOOSE . . .
"Listen, my brothers and sisters; has God not chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith . . ."
James 2:5a New International Version
As For Me
I've asked myself, at times, if I had to choose between wealth or poverty with/or requiring faith, what would I choose?
If you had to choose . . . ?
Wealth and poverty (and that wide space inbetween) inherit challenges.
Another question, in a similar vein, is "Would I rather have time or money?" Because it doesn't seem that you can have both. I suppose if you retire well, that's a possibility. But then, there's the health question.
One man I know, residing in assisted living and bound to a wheel chair and an oxygen tank, won a settlement because his work environment caused his lung disease. "Now I have money, but no way to spend it."
What I've seen in our life, is that God provides in different ways. He has given Ray and I simple tastes. Gourmet meals don't tempt us. Cruises? Not really. Being served? Not! Dad said, of his cruise, that they did everything for him but chew his food. No thanks.
Nature, beauty, a reliable car without rust, coffee shop brew, family, friends, conversation with fellow believers, good books, music, highschool plays, McD's breakfast . . . We are fairly easy to bless. There are dreams that we ache for -- beauty a little further from home, gospel concerts, and treating our children and grandchildren to a vacation of beauty and togetherness.
God gives us tastes even of those. Memories have a life of their own that still bring smiles and feelings of love.
If I had to choose--riches or faith?--I'd choose both.
Because . . . I've been given both.
In Him Is Fullness Of Joy,
Lonnie
James 2:5a New International Version
As For Me
I've asked myself, at times, if I had to choose between wealth or poverty with/or requiring faith, what would I choose?
If you had to choose . . . ?
Wealth and poverty (and that wide space inbetween) inherit challenges.
Another question, in a similar vein, is "Would I rather have time or money?" Because it doesn't seem that you can have both. I suppose if you retire well, that's a possibility. But then, there's the health question.
One man I know, residing in assisted living and bound to a wheel chair and an oxygen tank, won a settlement because his work environment caused his lung disease. "Now I have money, but no way to spend it."
What I've seen in our life, is that God provides in different ways. He has given Ray and I simple tastes. Gourmet meals don't tempt us. Cruises? Not really. Being served? Not! Dad said, of his cruise, that they did everything for him but chew his food. No thanks.
Nature, beauty, a reliable car without rust, coffee shop brew, family, friends, conversation with fellow believers, good books, music, highschool plays, McD's breakfast . . . We are fairly easy to bless. There are dreams that we ache for -- beauty a little further from home, gospel concerts, and treating our children and grandchildren to a vacation of beauty and togetherness.
God gives us tastes even of those. Memories have a life of their own that still bring smiles and feelings of love.
If I had to choose--riches or faith?--I'd choose both.
Because . . . I've been given both.
In Him Is Fullness Of Joy,
Lonnie
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