tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72650973025515234602024-03-12T23:33:01.409-07:00Expect the UnexpectedBy Richard BenavidesRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-20024645177061387872013-11-20T21:15:00.002-08:002013-11-20T21:15:15.991-08:00Power SourceI am one of those people who takes their phone battery to the limit. I have it charging when I can, but there are times when I see it going down into the single digits, with no hope of charging any time soon. I try to do everything I'd normally do, but simple tasks become difficult as warning signs pop up everywhere. Eventually, my poor phone has nothing left; it goes dim, and then dark. My 600 dollar technological marvel becomes a glorified fashion accessory because it lacks the power to do anything else.<br />
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Spiritually, I operate like this sometimes. In Philippians 2, Paul clearly outlines what must come before we live the Christian life. Encouragement in Christ, comfort in his love, and participation in the spirit are presented as pre-requisites to living in true humility, true unity, and true dedication to Christ and the world He so loved. We need to be plugged in to these power sources, or we too will find ourselves struggling with even the "basics" of Christian brotherhood and service.<br />
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We don't naturally serve with humility, and we don't naturally look out for those who don't "deserve" our consideration. We may serve, but we serve to feel good, and stop when the going gets tough. We may look out for others, but only until it is no longer convenient for us. We may try to change this mindset, and change this selfish heart, with the best of intentions... but we will never find success in our own power.<br />
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The only source of true Christian humility is the power that comes from finding our everything in Christ. Without this power source, we are perpetually running with a low battery. At best, we struggle; in most cases, we end up completely useless.Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-75480776649469564742012-12-27T11:52:00.002-08:002012-12-27T11:52:56.303-08:00Thoughts on ReturningI am back home.<br />
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At least, that is the way most of us describe coming back to the place we grew up, the area we explored during our younger, more exploratory days. I point out different things to my wife, telling her what happened here, who I met there, or why that thing is new and therefore inherently interesting. She politely smiles, nods, and says "that's cool" a few times. I wax eloquent on the comparisons between my old "home" and my new "home". I laugh with my wife at the way everything here, especially at Grandma's house, is made for those 5'7" and under. We are both much taller.<br />
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But home isn't as much about the place, as it is about the people. It is about visiting and playing an impromptu house show for mom and sister and aunts and uncles, playing everything from Christmas songs to praise songs, even throwing in songs I wrote and a Pink Floyd song I enjoy covering (for Uncle Bobby, and you can hear it below from a few months ago on YouTube). All of these on my grandpa's old Jasmine guitar.<br />
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It is about visiting old friends, who all seem to be married with new, cute babies. Thank you, Daniel and Monica (<a href="http://monicawantsit.com/">Her blog is pretty legit</a>), for standing strong with us (probably the only cousins we'd choose to be friends with even if not related)! It is about being frustrated with my baby sister and her first choices as an adult seeming kinda... well... childish (I never, ever was like that... ever... stop laughing). It is about my mom always plugging away, never having an ideal situation, and yet always thriving more than you could ever imagine. I am crazy proud of her.<br />
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It is about my friend Steve and his South Texas Christianity, and his complete aversion to dancing and "secular" music. Nuance is sometimes lost on him, but what he lacks in nuance he makes up for with an unmatched zeal for seeing lives changed and souls saved by Christ. That man is bringing a whole lot of people to the party with him when the saints go marching in.<br />
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It is a time when there is so much tumult in my own personal life and my professional life, when only my church and my wife seem to be steadfast (and I am thankful for them both). It is a time where every turn brings a new reflection; a new consideration of where I was, where I am, and where I will be. With each turn, I remember where God was faithful, and where he brought me closer to who I was meant to be, out of the mess of who I was. With each day here, I realize that God will be God wherever I am, whatever I am doing.<br />
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I am a natural worrier. God is making it really hard to worry. Bobby McFerrin would be proud. This return home is just what I needed. Thanks, Corpus Christi (and Mathis, and Kingsville, and Beeville), for being who you are and reminding me to...<br />
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<br />Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-21469420065123483112012-11-07T23:09:00.001-08:002012-11-07T23:09:43.667-08:00The Longing<div><p>We were created with a longing for our Creator. </p>
<p>It makes perfect sense when you think about it. The best gift a perfect God could give us would be himself (followed closely by a MacBook Pro). Creation begins with us willingly choosing to fulfill that longing with God and His command, and we are perfectly fulfilled.</p>
<p>It has always been the Devil's job to entice us with lesser attempts at filling that longing, and to make us mistake rebellion for independence. His success in deception, and our short-sighted attempts at self-actualization, have led to this moment you stand in.</p>
<p>This longing you have will only be fully satisfied by your fully sufficient Savior; the God that you do not get to define, and yet the God who is everything you need. </p>
<p>That woman or man, that job or degree, that award or notoriety... it will only be temporary, and it will invariably fall short of what we long for. All of it is useless in our hands, unless we are in God's hands.</p>
<p>Do you feel the longing?</p>
</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-73295570940476402582012-08-19T22:24:00.002-07:002012-08-19T22:24:59.962-07:00DoubtSometimes I look at everything I have set out to do, and I doubt. I doubt the calling, and I suppose that means I doubt the God who calls. I don't mean to, but it just feels like quite a bit that I am taking on. I work full-time, lead worship and youth, do grad school online, try to be a good husband and friend, and I'm trying to find some time to be able to get healthier. I don't know why tonight is one of those nights...<br />
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When the great men of God had any sort of doubt, it seems God himself would come and remind them of who He is, and who He created them to be. I am not saying I am a great man by any means... but I could sure use a visit right about now.<br />
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Then again, it could happen, and I could totally bug out like Isaiah. That would probably be me.<br />
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Do you ever doubt yourself and your calling?Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-58113916821260457812012-07-18T22:23:00.001-07:002012-07-18T22:24:13.317-07:00My music room (so far)<div><p>This is without the keyboard, and with the drums in the closet. I've always wanted to have a music room!</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHC1bWK750sIxeAEQ4LDpwzNYTlPB31216dZpY_Q-1s6AL20REXW9VvgVgBOUd_NyK1Zgp5hcGJSZk57IzVy7GueoXmoSEIFYv9875jIUmYZCMDYK7zfCmSKfKA54AfF2frjvRh0J-IU4/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hFRaCA1SFk4nIJx_Zv27ovaSJWUx7yVMVI4Nilbq_spsxVqPwsLXFLyEBI6rijTytoXIMKiUzmpj1mmMsSBARE-PDY1cgbMob4zb84FKmwpy6RQcEQmqAOltu73cQYq8XFFjXDU0GoCw/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2j5gshfu64S083cNwjw81YAXFEsnD2TiDzBjXyBTdEtLszWWfyBckDRYVQMzHCyfJB8xqLlcQUu7miL4KkeZ-FndnZa64_6vPYkIcnQxDu8HhGIjIr4pWwkjDCVwnne-5J8-CK35AbPoC/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u9FYDKYOsZn-2Zn5YUpknyMfOB7GdpkbmzEgSYn_VxJ5N-Rny9eAsQ5ue7D4H2zah6WBwpYeoLAWEB7zWTsbEv5wAbvYPR0duJM5BLo7kk03RAFkuJbOWmZBSO8G3tLZFueyoZFNHToS/' /></div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-84087414676669367632012-07-09T23:22:00.000-07:002012-07-09T23:22:23.797-07:00Blessings and Curses<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought
not to be so.</em></div>
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<em>-James 3:10</em></div>
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Words are powerful. With simple words, I have been taken to the brink of destruction, and I have seen the edge of my sanity. With a few precious words, I've been brought back from the brink and picked up from the ground. I have seen and known the power of words.</div>
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I can't trust myself. My own words are often so reckless. I find myself controlled by forces within me that mean nothing but harm, forces that see pain as a means to an end. It is a constant bubbling spring within me. I want it gone.</div>
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There is no point to causing pain with our words. There is no benefit from the pain of others. My spirit wants to do good. Christ in me wants to be love, and wants love to be my defining characteristic. This cannot happen with the internal treachery brought about by my lack of self-control.</div>
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All of this to say, I need to have better control of my words.</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-3827581370297500642012-05-17T22:18:00.001-07:002012-05-17T22:18:37.531-07:00It's Not About Me<div><p>I have been struggling to get my mind around this concept. I find myself unsatisfied with life events and areas of struggle. My selfish theology wants to question God, to ask why this or that couldn't just be a little different, a little (or a lot) better.</p>
<p>But as it turns out, He is already making all things work together for our good. Our good is not necessarily a painless existence. Sometimes there is growth or empathy, or merely experience, that we will require in order to live out our purpose.</p>
<p>The fact is, we do not live for our enjoyment, but rather for His glory. Only when we realize this truth, will we experience true fulfillment and joy.</p>
<p>This all seems basic, but for some reason it just gets more and more profound. And harder to just "do".</p>
</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-27539298169234574062012-05-12T23:39:00.001-07:002012-05-12T23:43:05.321-07:00Harmony and Worship<div><p>What if there was no jealousy? What if our humility allowed us to look out for others before ourselves? What if our love for our families were strong enough to make even the very thought of impropriety abhorrent? What if we spoke in love and acted in grace and worshiped in unity?</p>
<p>God tells us that this is not only possible, but necessary to truly worship God as a community. Invariably, every church falls short in this matter. What if we weren't satisfied with that?</p>
<p>What if our passion for God were greater than our desire for acceptance, or attention, or status? What if our spirits were satisfied with nothing less than God's vision for the church?</p>
<p>My spirit is discontent. I know I've fallen short in this. I feel like we are missing out. I feel like there can be so much more to our worship, and so much more beauty in our fellowship. If you feel like me, let's be radically peaceful this Sunday, and resolve to act in love and reconciliation.</p>
<p>It would make Mama proud :-). At least, I know my mom would be proud.</p>
</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-68891741715341473382012-04-20T13:49:00.000-07:002012-04-20T13:49:48.862-07:00Freedom is FoolishnessIn freedom, you don't know what you need to do to feel good. You don't know who to impress in order to get what you want. Freedom is foolishness.<br />
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In freedom, you aren't kept in one place. You are liable to be in different places each day, experiencing new and dangerous things. They call it adventure, but you know better. Freedom is foolishness.<br />
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In freedom, you trade what you've always known for the promise of something better. When is the last time you ate or slept in a promise? Freedom is foolishness.<br />
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Our hearts know this isn't true. Our spirits long for freedom. It is merely our survival instinct that makes us afraid of the unknowns of freedom. This is no small thing.<br />
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This is the reason the Bible tells us to die to ourselves. We need to give ourselves up to the unknowns of freedom, trusting the one thing we do know... a God who uses the foolish to confound the wise.Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-71969376016365828712012-04-11T15:41:00.001-07:002012-04-11T15:41:15.680-07:00Difficulty and Distance<div><p>The hardest part of love is selflessness. It is in our nature to expect reciprocation and response. That is not love. That is a transaction.</p>
<p>It doesn’t mean that this reality doesn’t tear at our hearts. When we love someone, and they do not act toward us in a loving way (especially when we ourselves have expended effort of mind, body, and/or spirit), we are hurt. We do not have the capacity to be impervious to each other… even the callous are simply in a perpetual deadened state, trading in the sharp pains of imperfect love for the dull ache of ignored longings.</p>
<p>So why do we hurt so much when we attempt to love? Why is love, by nature, a selfless act… when selflessness is so very difficult?</p>
<p>Real love is impossible without trust in God. Perfect love casts away fear, because the beloved does not worry that their actions will cause the lover to stop loving. Perfect love is based on the Eternal, trusting God to be all-sufficient, and needing nothing from the beloved. This allows every moment of love to be perceived as a beautiful gift, rather than a rightful obligation.</p>
<p>This is the love we should strive to have for each other. However, it is easy to say and incredibly hard to accomplish, because our hearts are not yet fully alive. The closer we are to the Savior, the more in step we are with the Spirit, and the closer we will be to this beautiful love. Our difficulty lies in our distance from God.</p>
</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-69654089265549439092012-02-03T09:56:00.001-08:002012-02-03T09:57:06.751-08:00Two Voices<div><p>Verse 1:</p>
<p>Wandering through the darkness</p>
<p>My eyes are still used to the light</p>
<p>Disoriented and discontent</p>
<p>I wish I had an escape somewhere in sight</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hear two voices, they’re ringing out</p>
<p>They’re saying two different things</p>
<p>One says I’m dead, one I’m justified</p>
<p>But both still say “follow me”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Chorus:</p>
<p>They’re ringing</p>
<p>Through the night, through the sky</p>
<p>O they’re ringing</p>
<p>And it’s all I hear</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I need a transformation</p>
<p>A renewing of my mind</p>
<p>So I can know</p>
<p>which voice is Yours</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Verse 2:</p>
<p>One says I should have known otherwise</p>
<p>There’s no escape from darkness or pain</p>
<p>So come and live for the short release</p>
<p>It carries you till you hurt again</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The other tells me there’s something more</p>
<p>And speaks of a light that I cannot see</p>
<p>But even if a brighter place could be found</p>
<p>What would I do with all the darkness in me?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Chorus:</p>
<p>They’re ringing</p>
<p>Through the night, through the sky</p>
<p>O they’re ringing</p>
<p>And it’s all I hear</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I need a transformation</p>
<p>A renewing of my mind</p>
<p>So I can know</p>
<p>which voice is Yours</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bridge:</p>
<p>My heart it aches to believe the light</p>
<p>And leave this heavy darkness behind</p>
<p>With a love louder than my enemies</p>
<p>And a grace that I’ve been longing to find</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Ending Chorus:</p>
<p>I need a transformation</p>
<p>A renewing of my mind</p>
<p>So I can follow</p>
<p>Your sweet voice</p>
<p> </p>
<p>- Richard Benavides</p>
</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-45394822071910268432011-07-02T00:38:00.000-07:002011-07-02T00:39:45.528-07:00New EndeavorsThere is excitement and anxiety in building something new for God. The human psyche has a torrid, hot/cold love affair with the new and the unprecedented, and the mixture of anticipation and trepidation is enough to keep us up at night. We dream of the day when we will regale a new generation of young trailblazers with stories of the sleepless nights and unsure days that led to our ultimate, unmitigated success. We are plagued by the thoughts of being another in a long list of those who have tried and failed, and cringe at the possibility of suffering as a result of our efforts.<br />
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In dealing with these conflicting emotions, we often tell ourselves (and others) to put thoughts of suffering and failure as far from our minds as possible, and reassure ourselves that we are too blessed to be stressed, too secure to fail. Our focus is on doing away with those thoughts, and fostering more of the big, beautiful dreams. We are told that everything will be amazing, and that "God has great things in store for us." This, we are told, means we are going to be wild successes, never touched by the unfortunate or unpleasant.<br />
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In reading through Philippians, I have to wonder; is this the best way to deal with the range of emotions that come with new endeavors? Paul doesn't shy away from the possibility of danger and suffering. In fact, he considers suffering to be a certainty, and more than that, a gift. For those believers paving the way in Phillippi, he offers more than the typical "everything will turn out great" response to their plight. He confronts the weight of anxiety and persecution, and tells us it is a blessing, because we share in the suffering of Christ. Not just this, but as he is writing this you can almost hear the unbridled, almost manaical joy in his tone.<br />
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He has realized that even the weight is a gift, and even the burden is a blessing to the child of God. He serves a God who takes <em>all things, </em>not just <em>good things</em>, and works them together for our good. This is the way to have an unquenchable desire for God; to desire not just the good, but even the painful, if it brings God glory. This is "foolishness" to those who don't know God in this way, but if you really get down to it... this complete trust and contentment is the only method we are given to live the Christian life.<br />
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And yet, I'll be completely honest with you. I kind of don't want to learn this lesson, because there are a whole lot of ways I could get hurt right now. I wish there was an easier way. I suppose it is time to get to know God a bit more, because there is something inherently trustworthy in Him that will make this all make sense. Or, alternatively, make me completely crazy.<br />
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Oh well, either way.<br />
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(Check out my new blog for Church Plant Worship Leaders, at <a href="http://www.churchplantworshipleader.com/">www.churchplantworshipleader.com</a>)Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-23009492962713792742011-06-16T22:41:00.000-07:002011-06-16T22:41:32.687-07:00I Have Known Heroes.I have been privileged. I have known heroes of the faith; men whose lives challenge and enrich mine. I have been shown the way to live for God, by men who changed their towns and their world with the love of Christ.<br />
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One of these men, Van Hilliard, is an octogenarian who has lived more in his 80s than most of us have in our entire lives. He has smuggled Bibles into countries in Eastern Europe, helped start churches there, and served on Disaster Relief teams here in the states (and that's jus what I know of). This amazing man of faith fell and hit his head. He is now in a coma, and has been pulled off of life support.<br />
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I am thankful to have known him, and I know he will be completely happy to be with Christ... but selfishly, I think many of us hope and pray that Van will somehow make it through. The world needs heroes.Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-77100305353187375252011-02-18T23:13:00.000-08:002011-02-18T23:13:45.660-08:00Google, is this your way of getting back at me?I got onto my blog today, after several crazy, no-blog days. The first thing I see is an ad in my "adsense" stuff to the right there (feel free to click on it, usually). The ad is one of those "...and I'm a mormon" ads.<br />
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Very funny, Google. Very funny indeed.<br />
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It is funny, though, how they actually have an ad campaign designed to let the world know that they're normal. Unfortunately, nothing can really explain away this...<br />
<img height="480" id="il_fi" src="http://thewhitebull.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/mormonunderwear.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="640" /><br />
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I once heard these mormon underwear described by Mark Driscoll as "a onesy with a trapdoor".<br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">*sorry if this offended any mormons... feel free to make fun of Christians when we do weird stuff, like, you know, wearing onesies.</span></em>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-91113382909127773832011-02-02T13:03:00.001-08:002011-02-02T13:03:08.835-08:00DistantI have a lot of stuff going on in my head right now, literally. I am super congested and I've been sick for the past several days. When I get like this it is hard for me to think straight or talk right. It is like there is a wall between me and the world, or even me and my own thoughts. Everyone sounds far away. Everything seems... distant. <br/> <br/> I feel like this spiritually sometimes, as well. I think this proves that sin is a sickness... it enflames what occurs naturally inside of us to make us feel distant from God and keep us from thinking straight. <br/> <br/> That is all I've got for now. Hope this all clears up by Friday!<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.6</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-7816440056309592932011-01-27T16:45:00.001-08:002011-01-27T16:45:25.384-08:00Turning Good Intentions Into Great ActionsI wish I could tell you how to do this, but it is honestly one of my greatest struggles. It is hard to get the feel of momentum when I do manage to get started, and I am both easily distracted and a procrastinator. I end up talking about a lot of things, but starting much less. Then I start several things, but end up continuing only a few. <br/> <br/> Like right now, I would like to be working out, writing songs, growing the music and youth ministries at my church, working on my masters degree, doing a benefit concert with friends, learning the mandolin, reading the entire bible, and becoming a more consistent blogger. In the past, I would probably have started five of those things, and finished three. I am no longer willing to settle for that kind of result. The only problem is, I don't know exactly how to live differently. <br/> <br/> I haven't started working out yet. I haven't played the mandolin in a while. I am on pace to finish the bible sometime next decade. The songs aren't coming, and the blog posts sometimes feel forced. I even fell behind on the concert stuff... Luckily my friends are incredible musicians! <br/> <br/> I know that if I were to tell you I was working full time, going to Grad school, leading music and youth, and doing the benefit concert, you would probably think my life was busy. The thing is, I also spend about 10 hours a week watching TV or playing video games. I sleep too much on Saturday mornings, and every morning for that matter. I know I could do so much more. <br/> <br/> So instead of a "how to" post, this is more of a "have you ever felt the same" or "how do you deal with this" type of post. I know so many of you are flippin amazing, raising entire families while doing enough to make me look downright lazy. How do you keep yourself moving? How do you stop yourself from staying still for too long? <br/> <br/> The only time I want to "be still" is when I'm "knowing He is God" :-P.<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.6</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-17702537784948335272011-01-25T16:58:00.001-08:002011-01-25T16:58:07.954-08:00Something For NothingIn my day job, I work in an industry where the customers expect something for nothing. We work with federal money, and we get people who seem to believe that should be their primary source of income. The welfare culture has created a generation that believes in participation trophies, a generation that can't bear to call anyone below average. People expect their mere existence to be a rewardable achievement. <br/> <br/> I am disheartened, therefore, to hear about that same mindset plaguing the church. I hear about churches with otherwise amazing people, being shuttered because of a lack of giving. Ministers with years and years of training end up working at fast food restaurants to keep their families fed. And yet, everyone bristles at the thought of being asked to give more, sometimes leaving churches because they were "all about the money." <br/> <br/> Yet, I think this is merely an educational issue. We have been conditioned in one way of thinking. That way isn't correct. <br/> <br/> Hear me, Texas and Arizona friends... Nothing is free. In the case of federal money, the price for the handout for some is paid by the taxes of another. There should be a gratitude there. <br/> <br/> The situation with churches is different. The price is not going to be paid by anyone else. We are all called to sacrificial giving countless times in the Bible, and this sort of uncomfortable giving is a show of faith. Even ministers do this. In fact, they give more than you may ever know. <br/> <br/> Nothing is free. The price for a "something for nothing" attitude in the church is nothing short of closed churches, broken hearts, and a generation of disillusioned pastors. I am annoyed to see this attitude in my day job... and brokenhearted to see it in my spiritual family. <br/> <br/> Because of the life I've lived, chances are you know me from some sort of ministry. Wherever you are attending right now, be a cheerful giver. If you know the joy that come from faithful giving, teach others. If you don't... don't come to God with your money in a clenched fist. Have an open hand and a cheerful heart, and do something out of faith. An open hand is the only way for money, or anything else, to come into your hands. God doesn't promise to bless a clenched fist.<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-91640767874356811792011-01-24T15:52:00.001-08:002011-01-24T15:52:36.379-08:00To The Guy Who Puts Massive Wads Of Toilet Paper In The ToiletNobody thinks you're cool. You arent being funny, or ironic, or rebelling against "the man." The man has a private toilet, fashioned from the bodies of underperforming sweatshop workers from overseas. Instead, you just made a mess for the janitors, and ruined the afternoons of people stuck in the same job you apparently hate. <br/> <br/> However, I would like to meet you. In fact, I will gladly bear the burden of your friendship, and the stories of your jerkness, for simply one golden opportunity. You'll be happy that day, when I come to your house and watch an inevitably horrible show with you and your family. We will laugh, and then I will excuse myself to your restroom. You will lead me to the guest bath, but that isn't my objective. Oh no, I will move quickly to your bathroom, and your children's bathroom, and drop off payloads that require hazmat suits to approach and flush. I will cover the presents with copious amounts of toilet paper, like the Poop Santa wrapping his presents, and exit without saying goodbye. <br/> <br/> The next day at work, you'll approach me in a state of disbelief, but in your heart you will know that you have gotten what you deserve. As a look of horrified understanding crosses your face, I will smile and laugh. It will be a beautiful moment.<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-53724323858516987712011-01-21T13:27:00.001-08:002011-01-21T13:27:38.762-08:00Everybody Should Listen To MeWhenever I read a story, I am asked to comment. Even status updates of long lost acquaintences demand my immediate feedback. The people on the TV screen and radio station insist that I text, call, or otherwise share my obviously important opinion. Restaurants ask that I rate them, and websites ask me how they are doing. <br/> <br/> In short, I am very important, and everyone should listen to me. <br/> <br/> What's that you say? You are very important too? Awesome! We can totally change the world by simply talking and sharing our opinion. Unless... <br/> <br/> Unless everyone is getting the same message. Unless this world is giving everyone a false sense of the scope of their influence. Unless all of those comments, ratings, and opinions create nothing but a cacaphony of white noise. <br/> <br/> But surely this isn't the case! I mean, why would the entire world perpetuate a false sense of power in all of us? It's not like we're all so easily satiated, like we all are satisfied with the illusion of progress instead of a truly changed world. <br/> <br/> No, that can't be the case. I'd better go ahead and post this already, so that I can get back to telling the world how to turn. <br/> <br/> I mean, what would this world do without me?<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-85845519711541661252011-01-20T10:44:00.001-08:002011-01-20T10:44:59.499-08:00Google is Your BFFI've recently notices that Google knows me a bit too well. It seems to know what I need, when I need it. It keeps me updated on the world around me, and is almost always interesting. Google recently even started finishing my sentences for me. <br/> <br/> I mean, even the ads on the side of my blog are usually, though not always, something I think is awesome. It's my shopping buddy, my source for movie info, and the place where I keep some very personal matters (password protected in gmail, so it can keep a secret). <br/> <br/> Now I like every one of these facts individually. However, I've come to a very disturbing realization... <br/> <br/> Google is becoming my BFF. <br/> <br/> Is this how nerdy I've become? Does Google really know more about me than my closest friends? Soon, I'm afraid, Google will expect me to reciprocate, to sit and listen to its problems, and to cover for it when it has something else to do. I think that's a lot of pressure... <br/> <br/> Look, Google... maybe we need to slow things down. <br/> <br/> Please stop crying, Google. It will only make this more painful.<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-38760958567978400602011-01-19T11:03:00.001-08:002011-01-19T11:03:27.982-08:00Time OffA little bit of time off is a good thing. The chance to decompress, to unwind from the daily grind, can be refreshing and uplifting. Some extra sleep, maybe catching up on your favorite shows or going for long walks... I could go on. <br/> <br/> But too much time off can be destructive. I see this every day with the people I talk to. They have been laid off for so long, living off of government checks, that they just lost all drive and motivation. Their can-do attitude has been replaced with a lethargic string of excuses. It is sad, that our generation has so much talent being wasted on the couch or in dead end jobs.<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-7035508277674244062011-01-14T12:13:00.001-08:002011-01-14T12:13:43.386-08:00Choosing SidesWe are often happy when two of our friends start dating. We are even more excited for them when they prepare for marriage. We have pictures from their wedding, and invite them to double dates and game nights, and all is right in the world. <br/> <br/> Then it starts. You see one of them constantly dejected, or the other constantly unavailable. You see less love and more obligation. The tension between them is palpable. The effort becomes more one sided. <br/> <br/> And then we pick sides. Inevitably, one person becomes the obvious choice, the other a pure villian. I am okay with this in certain situations. If one person gives up on a relationship, or cheats, or simply leaves, and the other person hasn't been abusive and has tried to reconcile a situation they didn't create, the answer is obvious. The villian has chosen their path. <br/> <br/> But what do you do when the answer isn't so obvious? What do you do when both people have hurt the other, when neither has been willing to compromise? What do you do when your long time friend is the obvious villian? <br/> <br/> Is it ever really that cut and dry? <br/> <br/> All I know is that when I pray for my couple friends, the prayers always have a small selfish element. I don't want to have to choose sides. I like you both! Besides, Kristen and I need good double date partners for the next 50 years or so.<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-45343419331155846662011-01-12T23:15:00.001-08:002011-01-12T23:15:27.075-08:00Missing The PointI was reading the yahoo report about Obama's speech at the memorial service in Tucson. I had listened to the speech earlier this evening, and was impressed with his leadership in the situation. The way that he spoke to the polarized political factions who are attempting to pin the blame on their opponents was perhaps the most poignant message he could have delivered, in the midst of what could still be an explosive situation. I don't agree with everything he does, but that hopeful and triumphant tone is what was needed in this time of knee-jerk politics. <br/> <br/> Imagine my surprise when I scroll to the bottom of the story, and the first two comments are complaining about Obama "taking advantage of the situation for a political rally" and calling for him to apologize. Another proceeded to place all of the blame for the situation on "liberals" or something. Essentially, they completely missed the point. <br/> <br/> People, this is a democracy. We elect a leader... and we need to let him lead. Obama was there to eulogize, but also to play an inspirational role, and he did quite well. He is right about the need for civility in our political discourse... and it is sad that the only people who don't get that are the ones who need to hear it the most.<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-47998045988882360992011-01-11T10:48:00.001-08:002011-01-11T10:48:22.155-08:00ImaginationAll it takes is a little imagination to make your world more interesting. For instance, today the breakfast vendor at my office had drops of water on the tray toppers. The water on the stainless steel reminded me of the liquid metal in the Terminator movies. I imagined the droplets coming together and forming a tiny terminator. Except, this Terminator would serve you breakfast instead of ruthlessly eliminating you. It would terminate your hunger with eggs and bacon. <br/> <br/> I don't know about you, but i would be happy if a tiny terminator gave me breakfast.<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265097302551523460.post-82584546085529635842011-01-08T00:31:00.001-08:002011-01-08T00:31:25.425-08:00More thoughts on aliens...Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to find out i was from another planet. Would I want to stay here because it felt like home? Would everyone treat me differently? Would I have super powers? Would Sheriff Joe still try to deport me?<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01193953363432489217noreply@blogger.com0