Today, I was at the dentist. I had the privilege of receiving the 2nd of 3 fillings I need due to cavities. I've never been particularly fond of the dentist - but neither have I particularly minded it. It's one of those things in life that I endure, knowing that it's for my overall benefit.
However, I need to evaluate why I had 3 cavities that needed attention in the first place. Of course, I could blame the snack food industry and the pop conglomerates - for, after all, their treats are filled with sugar and teeth rotting ingredients. It should be obvious that its their fault for forcing all their tasty morsals my way. In reality, I could be seen as the victim for years of being force fed those vile snacks. I mean, it really is true, 'you can't eat just one'.
And yet, somehow, I don't think that that argument will work. I guess that no one really forced me to indulge.
Perhaps, it had more to do with the fact that I hadn't been to a dentist in 6 years, prior to moving to Truro. Since July, I've been to see him 4 times. That's 4 times in the last 10 months or 4 times more than I'd been to a dentist in the last 72 months. Ouch! I guess the dentist did say that it could've been worse. Perhaps that explains why I have 2 more visits scheduled in the next 3 months.
Oh, it's fun catching up...all the needles, drills and rinses.
As I think about our spiritual life (walk, journey), I wonder how often we might let things slide, like I did with the dentist. You know, the walk with God stuff. Reading the Bible - not just to do it, but to discover the riches that God wants to say to you on that particular day or moment; spending some thoughtful and soulful time in prayer - for the lost, as Jesus called them, and for the presence of God to be evident - really evident - like the 'old-timers' used to talk about; or about making a difference to those in difficulty or need - thinking beyond ourselves (which I find quite easy to let slide).
As I discovered with my cavities, if we allow the 'routine' things (ie: dentist visits) to pass by, there is a price. Could it be that same way in our spiritual life, if we skip over or take lightly the things that God uses to make us like Him?
Wonder what the church would look like if we all skipped our God visits. Would it look differently than today?
What do you think? Let me know...I appreciate your feedback.
"Send Revival, Start with Me"
Pastor Ken
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
I'm Back...
House shopping. It's not all that it's cracked up to be. For the last 6 weeks or so, April and I have been looking for a potential new home. We, of course, currently live in a church owned parsonage. It is up for sale and we're waiting to see if it will be bought. It needs to be sold in order for us to be able to pick out our next family abode. Because we're in limbo, and unsure as to what the future will hold, we're trying not to get too anxious about it all. However, we can't help but think of packing and preparing in the event of a move. We're certainly ready to do just that. In fact, we've already chosen a home and placed a conditional offer on it. The condition being that the parsonage sells.
Because it's out of our hands and the possibility exists that someone else could swoop in and buy up 'our' future home - we are on 'proverbial' pins and needles waiting. This is where house shopping is not all that it's cracked up to be.
It has been fun, mind you, looking at possibilities of where we may end up living. Comparing amenities of one property over those of another. Thinking of neighbourhoods in which we would like to raise our family - all within our price range, of course. Trying to haggle a 'good' bargain and sensing that we're pleased with the transaction is all a part of the excitement.
But then there's the waiting...the uncertainty...what if the parsonage doesn't sell? Will we be satisfied with going back to live there, even though we never left (it's a mind thing now)? What if someone else buys the house that we want? Oh, the inhumanity...
Whether it's buying a house, or living life in general, we can find truth and sanity in the words of Paul in Philippians 4:11-12, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
Being content truly is a secret that far too few of us have learned. We're often looking for what's next...the latest and greatest...something that will give us a thrill in life. I have fallen victim to that (or am I the guilty one).
Being content doesn't mean that we don't look for opportunities or ways in which to be better - it means that we're not stressed out, in competition with others, or comparing what we have with what we do not. I guess it's being ok with where we find ourselves at any particular moment.
House shopping...it's not that big of a deal. I just need to learn to be content.
What do you think?
"Send Revival, Start with Me."
Pastor Ken
Because it's out of our hands and the possibility exists that someone else could swoop in and buy up 'our' future home - we are on 'proverbial' pins and needles waiting. This is where house shopping is not all that it's cracked up to be.
It has been fun, mind you, looking at possibilities of where we may end up living. Comparing amenities of one property over those of another. Thinking of neighbourhoods in which we would like to raise our family - all within our price range, of course. Trying to haggle a 'good' bargain and sensing that we're pleased with the transaction is all a part of the excitement.
But then there's the waiting...the uncertainty...what if the parsonage doesn't sell? Will we be satisfied with going back to live there, even though we never left (it's a mind thing now)? What if someone else buys the house that we want? Oh, the inhumanity...
Whether it's buying a house, or living life in general, we can find truth and sanity in the words of Paul in Philippians 4:11-12, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
Being content truly is a secret that far too few of us have learned. We're often looking for what's next...the latest and greatest...something that will give us a thrill in life. I have fallen victim to that (or am I the guilty one).
Being content doesn't mean that we don't look for opportunities or ways in which to be better - it means that we're not stressed out, in competition with others, or comparing what we have with what we do not. I guess it's being ok with where we find ourselves at any particular moment.
House shopping...it's not that big of a deal. I just need to learn to be content.
What do you think?
"Send Revival, Start with Me."
Pastor Ken
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
