Roadside Perspective

So we spent yesterday morning with our Tax Guy going through 2009. First let me say, as a guy who was in the remedial math courses in college—and getting Ds mind you—it is great to have a wife who has taken the bull by the horns when it comes to this area. Anyway, last year was a learning experience. Owing thousands of dollars to Uncle Sam was no fun. But yesterday morning, on account of my wife's due diligence, we were pleased to see a bit of a refund....Phew...

Happy smiles and some relief were traveling with us in the Xterra on our way back to our place in the burbs. As we were traveling along at a sinful speed on the highway, I heard a little noise in the left rear. As a guy who might tend to ignore this sort of thing and chalk it up to a twig, it wasn't until we'd slowed down to exit that the noise became more pronounced. The "twig" had turned into what sounded like a break rotor, or metal on metal....

We pulled over after exiting. There is this piece of weatherstripping which has on occasion been knocked out of position on the left rear door. I was happy to see this was the case today. A quick repositioning and we were good to go.

So, this begs. What would my perspective have been if this was a high ticket repair.
  1. Gosh, just when you think you can catch some sort of financial break, something goes wrong and drops a bomb on it.
  2. Thank God, that He's provided this little tax return which can help us pay for said bomb drop.

I pray that I'd choose "2".

Why I Am

There's a great new song by the Dave Matthews band (well, its been out for about a year, but in the grand scheme, its kind of new), called "Why I Am". Its a good song. A bit more conventionally upbeat for some of Dave's stuff and has a nice positive sound. I am not really sure as to why Dave is (I think its something about a Gru Grux King), but it got me thinking. How often have we asked ourselves, or considered the proverbial pre-saved question of "Why am I here". Typically this is the self introspection which can lead to a relationship with the Lord. A more interesting question is "Why I am". Not really a question at all, I guess. This is a statement. Certainly one from someone who has come to a conclusion.

As I consider why I am, it was evident yesterday. Yesterday was a tough one. The work load is heavy. Very heavy. And I am putting some long days in. Anyway, yesterday some of my past self-questioning as to where I am valid, what do others think of me, etc. came to roost. My pal Clark had once shared with me that sometimes there are things in the past which have rightfully left your "nest" may every now and again come back to roost. We need to (with God's help) recognize these, and recognize why we are—or Why I Am. It is important to have "Clark's" in your life. People who we have transparent relationships with. People who know us. Really know us. People who can unintentionally remind us why we are.

Let me tell you why I am. I am here to glorify the living God, and His Son, Jesus, through the influence and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. If I can remember this (which I try to). If I can remember this often (which I often don't) . If I can remember this moment by moment (very cool when I do). Then the "why" will be forefront. And the ripple of the "why" will be allowed to more freely happen. And we'll see more of it. And be encouraged by it.

Am I a Blogger?

This is my third entry. I consider myself a "creative". My job is "creative". My thoughts are "creative". My spiritual walk is "creative" (or at least not process driven and über traditional—probably more to come on this in future entries I suppose.). People tell me I can talk a lot. Not mindlessly, mind you. Just a bunch. I like to talk. I like to converse. I like to dig deep into dialogue. Sometimes I like to write. I have always had a great respect for copywriters—their wit, targeted communication, and frankly, their lack of grammatical mistakes and typos. Honestly, I am gonna try to see if I can keep up this talking...err writing....err blogging. If I can, I may invite others to join in. Or read. This may require me to utilize Twitter, or Facebook, or some other social media outlet that my 42 years have been trying to get my arms around. I mean, Facebook is fun and all, (connecting with folks I haven't, or most likely wouldn't have kept in touch with) but is hard to fit in to the day. So, will I blog? Time will tell.

Long Time Sitting

I think I need to get a more ergonomic desk chair. Although, regardless of how effective our chairs are for our posture, we still find ways to slouch. Sort of like everything else of this world. We have great, wonderful moments, intentions and days. But the slouching begins. Sometimes when I am working alongside someone (a couple of friends in particular), I believe that we notice each others posture and it causes us to sit up straight—then the other will see the other sitting straight, and adjust/fix posture accordingly. I guess that's how the body of Christ works. We are "tracking well spiritually", (more air quotes, then written quotes) then we either get lazy or pious and the slouching begins. We either need someone to tell us to sit up straight, or we simply see them doing it, recognize our own slouch, and, adjust accordingly.

Waking Early

I woke up a little uneasy this morning—bright and early though. The darkness, either late or early always seems to allow for self contemplation—"Where am I?", "How am I?".... At least there is the Word to go to in this state. This morning, I opened to Proverbs. I don't normally read this book. Sort if reminds me of "Confucious says".... Then I remember, these are the timeless wisdoms from Above. Proverbs 14:4 "Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest". This makes me feel good. As a worker and server, this brings me home. Trusting that the Lord's grace is sufficient for me. I guess this is where He wants us...