What to do in the "new"

I love riddles.

"What gets wet as it dries?"

"What appears once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years."

"When you don't know it it's something, but once you know it's nothing. What is it?"

(Answers @ bottom)

Riddles.

I meet with many young adults in the course of my work (college students, young professionals, and young married couples), and as I do I see some trends that emerge.  When you're moving into a new season of life whether it's a new job, a new move, a new school, or a new marriage it's wise to make sure you're grounded in God's lasting truth and not a storm of opinion/advice that tends to accompany our new seasons of life. Why? Because by nature your "newness" makes your current situation somewhat unclear to you - a riddle if you will. I see many young people who, in new stages of life, grab every idea, concept, or opinion that comes their way. During times of change we need good grounding.

Here are 5 "Holy Habits" to build into life's new seasons to help us stay grounded in true truth and not in feeling/opinion.

Reading

You need to be reading and hearing from God's revealed Word. Grounding your mind in God's truth keeps you focused on what He says about your situation. If you are new to reading the Bible there are hosts of quality devotional books & plans to start with. 

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. (Psalm 119:9-16 NIV)

Journaling

Write about what God is doing and what you're doing about it in this new season. Journal your prayers, your concerns, scripture your trusting in, and how God is providing a way. This is healthy now because it makes you stop and reflect, and it's also something you will treasure later.

You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:3 NIV)

Listening

You don't have all the answers. Listen to those who have been down this road before you, listen to advice from godly men and women. Fight the tendancy to either go it alone or think you have the tools you need. The skills it took to get you here are not possibly what will make you successful at the next phase of life.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, (James 1:19 NIV)

Serving

It's our natural inclination during times of change and newness to turn inward.  The truth is that during transition serving others, and maintaining your commitments to serving will stir up humility in your heart, and humility serves you well in new seasons. Furthermore, we are never more fulfilled (or like Christ) than when we are serving therefore service is a natural confidence and emotional lift.

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, (Ephesians 6:7 NIV)

Doing what you don't want to do so God can do what Only HE can do

When in new waters placing your selfish desires, wants, and ambitions aside and asking yourself what God would call faithful is a path to open doors that only can open when God does what only he can. Because I believe the Biblical narratives are instructive for life I see this in the "life examples" of Moses, Gideon, Joseph the father of Jesus for starters. Fight the temptation to turn self oriented in your new season but instead establish habits of doing what God calls best at the expense of your own pleasures.

-------------

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19 NIV)

Answers:

Towel

The letter "m"

A riddle

The Passion Week Experience @ Second

When I was young I remember what impact the Stations of the Cross services had on me! They gave me a foundational picture of what Christ did for us, and as a Christ-follower I believe these moments of worship are invaluable. 

This week Second Baptist Houston is hosting an event on all 5 campuses called The Passion Week Experience. It's an interactive devotional exercise for all ages, preschool to adults, to reflect on the importance of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Early believers sought to more fully remember the events of the Passion Week by setting up trails, with guided stops along the way, built to remind themselves of various events leading up to the crucifixion. 

Walk through eight areas displaying items associated with the events surrounding the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus. If you wish, you may touch, pick up, or even smell any of the items. Experience the Last Supper and it’s foreshadowing of the cross; sit in the Garden of Gethsemane and sense the anguish; feel the crown of thorns and spikes and imagine the pain. 

A printed guide (written by Gary Thomas) will help you reflect on each element’s relevance to the story of Good Friday, and how its truth can impact your life today. This is not a traditional rendering of the Stations of the Cross, but a fresh take on an ancient practice to help us prepare ourselves to more fully remember and embrace the Passion story.  

I invite you to join us!

Wed • Apr 16 • 9AM-9PM
Thu • Apr 17 • 9AM-9PM
Fri • Apr 18 • 6:30-9:45AM, 1:30-9PM **Good Friday Service • 12PM**

You are what you read...

What have you been reading lately that has shaped your world?

In a have-it-now digitally pleased world it's good to remember that no 140 character tweet or catchy Instagram tweaked with PicLab is going to take the place of reading an actual book to stretch your thinking, deepen your understanding, and sharpen you as a person. 

I tend to be a regular reader, but lately I've observed a tendancy toward reading more blog posts, and short digital op-eds instead of actual books.  As I refocus myself back on the habit of regular reading here are some thoughts...

You are what you read.

Tell me what you've been reading and I'll tell you who you will become. Read only the news today off your Fox or CNN app and you will be come anxious in the least or paranoid at the worst. Read licentious material (ie. Fifty Shades of Grey and the like) and you will become preoccupied with physical desires either that God never intended for you or those that will wreck your marriage/future marriage. Read book of history, biography, research, and/or Christian Life and you will grow as an individual.  Read nothing and you give yourself no margin to effect change in your life, and personal , professional, and spiritual stagnation will come.

Readers are leaders.

Harry S Truman said, "not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers." To get ahead of others and lead the pack you must read. Plain and simple.  In a recent Forbes.com article (http://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2012/08/03/why-leaders-must-be-readers/) I read, "Reading and learning from peers within, and outside of, your industry enables you to grow as an employee, business owner, and leader in three distinct ways." The article went on to say we read to:

Be reminded- of what we have already learned. Re-reading books that have shaped you is the mark of a good leader.

Be Challenged - reading challenges my opinions and gives me reason to criticize my ways of thinking. Reading something you disagree with can have a big impact on your ability to think, both creatively and logically.

Interact with others - Okay Facebook generation, it's true - you can successfully interact with others in person. A great way to spark discussion with friends, co-workers or your team is to discuss something you have been reading. 

Watching my kids read the other day was the true catalyst for writing this post. Here are a few pictures of my kid's reading time (It looks like my daughter Is asleep - how ironic!)

Now, for those of us who are Christ-followers most of these are purely secular observations until we realize that it was God's idea to have us implant the right ideas (His ideas) in our heads long before the printing press or e-readers changed reading.  For years God's people were challenged to write God's Word on their heart (Psalm 119); how much greater of an opportunity do we now have to sharpen our mind, learn of God's ways, and hear from those who walk closely to Him in a day and age when reading is at our finger tips? Let's now waste it!

How to become a reading leader:

1.  Ask others whom you respect what they are reading, collect info on what's out there (old and new).

2. Create a "to-read" list for yourself.

3. Set aside certain times to read (this is where e-readers are an advantage because you can read anytime you have downtime). Habitual reading times will help.

4. Begin reading with the goal of completing the book in a certain length of time to both finish and to stay motivated.

5. After reading take a moment to document the main points and your "takeaways" from the book. (This can be a seperate document or in the back of the book itself)

6. Move on to the next book on your list & enjoy the life-long benefits of regular reading!

Mockingbirds and Monkies

Monkey see monkey do. Recently I've noticed a trend in my home, mostly among my oldest daughter Olivia.  It all started when we were given a picture frame with the phrase "I love you because..." written on it. It's a beautiful gift and we have given something similar to others as gifts on several occasions since then. The idea is that Erin and I would write encouraging notes to each other that finish the sentance "I love you because..." then the other would see it and be reminded in that moment of another reason that they are loved.  Such a great way to encourage each other!

Well, recently we have noticed that our children, especially Olivia, has been leaving notes of the same kind around the house. Our kids are turning into regular old encouragers themselves! What a great real-life reminder that people are always watching our example-- they are always watching what we do, and not specifically what we say. There sure are a lot of mockingbirds and little monkeys in our midst, let's let them see the right things to imitate!

What is it that you are modeling to others?

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7 NIV)

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7 NIV)