Often in life I learn some of my best lessons from just being in the world around me. Like when driving my car… on the first night of really good weather, beautiful sunshine and warmth – so of course traffic on the West Side highway was really bad. An hour of stop, go, hurry up, slow down, go, stop, go, stop and an awful lot of sitting and waiting and sitting and waiting to hurry up, stop, go, and slow down.

After the first half hour of watching the people running up and down the river, I started thinking about how that drive was a bit like my faith walk. When I first joined God’s “West Side highway” I was definitely in hurry-up mode. Everything was fast and new and exciting and I wanted to do it all, experience it all, and serve it all. Initially, God put some stop lights on my roadway, some serious Christian community traffic to slow me down and make me pay more attention to the roadway, to what was moving around me. And then I would hurry up again, to slow down again; occasionally looking at the world around me. Somewhere along the line I started to put my own stop lights on my roadway. I stopped listening to Gods cruise control, stopped being tuned into the community around me – deciding I could do it all on my own. Amazingly enough, every time I took total control back – my faith drive would come to a full and complete stop. And I would sit and wait, and maybe complain just a bit about the fact that I wasn’t going anywhere and maybe complain a bit about the people around me who I thought were stopping me instead of being on the journey with me.

And I would sit and wait and expect it all to get better because I wanted it to.

And then I would call out to God, get back to his plan. The light would turn green and forward I would move. Sometimes slowly, sometimes more quickly, always hitting bumps, lumps, and holes in the road. Sometimes coming close to being taken out by a fallen traveler on his own path, sometimes being guilty of doing the same to others. Sometimes being thoughtful, patient and serving – sometimes more focused on my own drive at the expense of others.

It was a long time to think while on the West Side highway. At the end I was maybe a bit wiser, maybe a bit happier. Thankful for God’s light on my path (did I mention I was in the convertible with the top down?) I am sure this brilliant revelation won’t mean the rest of my faith walk will be smooth sailing. I am sure I will continue to put my own red lights in my path, and as always I will have to deal with others along the road going different places at different speeds. But I am still glad for this glimpse of knowing! And believe it or not, it was a little sad to be turning of the West Side highway. Good to know that God turns right along with me, and is always there whether I let him drive or whether I have taken control back.

My God is Amazing
Shh, Don’t tell anyone
#spreadingrumors

In my life I have been blessed with great people who have been friends, supporters, storm wreckers, prayer warriors, cry ’till we laugh and laugh ’till we cry partners. They have been sunshine when clouds crowded in, smiles when frowns seemed so much easier, and pillows to cushion inevitable crash landings. They have stayed up all night with me just because we can, goofed and laughed and built amazing memories with me. They have stood with me on the court, field, and diamond and battled with me when a fight needed fighting. They have been my camp-mates, school-mates, play-mates, work-mates and church-mates. They have lead me, they have followed, me and they have stood right beside me. Some have come and stay fast and true, some have come and are still there on the edge, some have come and are gone – from my world but never my heart.

I pray that they all know they are crucial to me being me, important to me now and in memory. And I pray they all know they are loved. That when they experience joy I smile with them. When they are in pain or hurting, my heart aches for them. When they are in the midst of the storm, I stand in the rain with them. I pray they know in this world they are never alone, whether we talk daily, weekly, every once in a while, or even if we haven’t talked in a year (or since grade school). A shout out and I would be there – a shoulder / ear / or prayer away!

And as great as that all is — it is impossibly small compared to the love, friendship, and grace of our God who has been everything in perfection. Who waits only for us and whose gifts to us are greater than could ever be fathomed. I am God’s favorite… and so are you!

In light of the recent disturbing news that a convicted felon’s photo has become a viral hit and hundreds of thousands of women are swooning over this “handsome” man — forget that his arrest / conviction history includes weapons, drugs, gangs, theft etc — I decided to share my thoughts on the rebel syndrome.

I see so many girls go for the “bad boy”. They say he’s attractive because he is a rebel. They think that is cool. And by girls, I mean teens to adults. But the “bad boy” is no rebel. The Urban Dictionary has a great definition of a rebel. “Rebel – A person who stands up for their own opinions despite what everyone else says. A true rebel stands up for what they believe is right, not against what is right. It is not about smoking crack, drinking til’ your rendered unconscious, or beating the crap out of anyone that crosses your path. It is all about being an individual and refusing to follow a crowd that forces you to think the same way they do even if it means becoming an outcast to society. The rebels know who they are and do not compromise their individuality or personal opinion for anyone. They’re straightforward and honest and they will sure as hell tell it like it is”.

“Bad boys” aren’t rebels, they are predictible and complete products of everything that the world tells them they should be. They will tell you they aren’t, but just watch a “bad boy” for awhile. My guess is you will have seen at least 10 of him modeled on some television show. My guess is, after a very short time, you will be able to guess just exactly what he is planning to do, what his next move will be. There is not a unique thought nor does he stand up for ideals. Frankly, the only stance a “bad boy” takes is against authority — even when authority is clearly right (and how predictible is that?).

The real rebel — give me a Christian man who is not afraid to praise God, pray in public, live a pure life before and after marriage despite the cajoling and constant pressure from the world to do otherwise.

The world says: have as much sex as you can with whoever you can.
The “bad boy” does (predictable)
The rebel says that is not what God intended, I will save sex for my marriage and honor God and my bride with my purity even though everyone is making fun of me for my choice.

The world says: Do whatever it takes to make money, get ahead, and don’t care even a little for how you do it or who you damage along the way.
The “bad boy” does (predictable)
The rebel says I will follow the path that God has called me to even if that is not filled with glory or dollars — and I will love and support others in my quest. I will not leave ethics or people behind. I will not leave casualties of my conquering even if it means I will not be famous or rich by the worlds standards.

The worlds says: Go for the youngest, prettiest, the easiest… and if you find someone younger, prettier, or easier, drop the first and go for it.
The “bad boy” does (predictible)
The rebel says I will wait for the partner that God has planned for me and she will be my partner for life. Even if others look from the outside and don’t understand, even if the world throws other choices in my path — I will be faithful to God and to the partner he planned for me.

The world says: amass as much stuff and money and gizmos and gadgets as you can, you are what you own.
The “bad boy” does (predictable)
The rebel says I am known by my love for and relationship with Christ and He is all that I need. I may have money or things or gizmos or gadgets, but I use them for His glory and He owns it all. My stuff does not own me.

I don’t kow about you — but I don’t want some boring, predictible “bad boy”, I will take the real rebel any day. Him I will wait for.

For awhile I had maintained another blog site, but it was hard to use, hard to share and therefore I didn’t keep up. But with a new plan, new goals and a new passion, I have decided to jump ship to a site that meets my needs a bit better.

Enjoy!