Meyer writes about doing things on purpose, not waiting till she “feels like” doing them. She writes about not being afraid or doing things afraid, so as to not let fear rule you. That I get. But she also says things about how she, at times, will decline speaking invitations or other such things because she doesn’t have peace about it.

My problem is this: how do you know the difference between something being a fear and it just not setting right with your spirit?

I considered prayer as the answer, and maybe it is. For prayer to be the answer though, a person would have to be completely open to hear God and be able to tell the difference between what God is saying to them and what their own feelings about the situation are, something that is incredibly hard to do if fear is involved.

The problem of having too much to do starts with giving ourselves to much to do; we try to take on too many roles. We try to be every member of a team ourselves instead of letting others join our team. This doesn’t even have to mean things that work like a team, sometimes we just try to be it all. For example, if you’re a web designer, worship leader, photographer, Sunday school teacher, janitor, and office manager, do you really think you’re doing the best that can be done in all of those roles? Are you able to give all of them the attention they deserve or wouldn’t it be better if others were able to take on those roles so that every role was being filled to the best of each person’s ability? We’re not meant to be great at everything, that’s one reason we need others.

I’m currently reading The Confident Woman by Joyce Meyer and in it she talks about how we are not supposed to fill every role, we are not meant to be good at everything. We will feel much better about ourselves if we focus on the things we do have talent in and grow in those things instead of trying to create talent for ourselves where we don’t have it. Moreover, when we try to fill every role, taking on tasks that we’re not so good at, we’re depriving the person who is talented in that area from doing what they’re supposed to be doing.

So, if we stop trying to wear everyone’s hat, we’ll feel much better about ourselves and can give ourselves the change to excel in the things we are talented in. We will be less stressed and we won’t feel so bogged down by having too much to do.

Other ways to simplify your life:

Romans 12:3I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

4-6In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.

6-8If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.

That’s all for now.

I don’t like the politics of church. I don’t like most of the fellowship (read: people getting together to gossip and be overly dramatic about everything while being highly critical of those outside their circle). I don’t like the judgment and stereotyping: how the inside is high and mighty, their wrongs are okay (sure when they realize they’re wrong they can ask and be forgiven, but so can anyone who is sincere) while everything outside is basically evil. Yes, the “outside” stereotypes the inside as well, but is the inside doing anything to break that trend and mold? From my perspective, (“on the fringes” maybe) the inside strengthens that negative stereotype in 85% of their interactions with the “outside.”

This is only part of it, but I believe that too often the people of the church forget that they’re in the world, there’s other people out there and they matter to God just as much as you do. They matter even more, remember the parable of the lost sheep?

Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

But instead of creating community with others, people of the church create an insiders clique.
Jesus made friends with sinners, people who were not part of the church circle.

Mark 2:13And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. 14And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. 15And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

For me, while I’m “in the church,” I’m also in the world, which isn’t all bad, after all it’s the world that God created for me to be in for a time and I have a purpose here. I am not of the world, but I’m also not of the church, I’m trying my best to be of God.

For now, I think watching church on TV may be my best choice.

Many people would be annoyed that they took a wrong turn and let it ruin their whole day through their attitude. Months ago I may have been the same way, but it’s so much easier to not let things like that be a big deal. This turned out to be a good thing. I was being annoyed by a car on the interstate who kept going faster, slower, faster, slower (cruise control is there for a reason, use it!) which is how I ended up distracted and took an exit that looked similar to mine, but was one too early. Because I didn’t let taking a wrong turn upset me it ended up being a fortunate accident. Not only did I get away from a bad driver, I also go to see another beautiful part of God’s creation.

Caring for Your Introvert: Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am for the most part what one would call introverted. This is a good piece to read if you know any introverts and still an interesting read if you are one yourself. I don’t like the title of it though, I don’t think we need to be “cared for;” it would be better titled “Understanding Your Introvert,” or “How to Act (and Not to Act) Around Introverts.”

What Would Jesus Buy?: Trailer for a Morgan Spurlock (of “Supersize Me”) film on consumerism. I have not yet seen it, but looks very um…interesting. Check it out.

Super Mario Galaxy in Amsterdam: This site is not in English, but it’s the pictures that are great. It’s the celebration of the release of Super Mario Galaxy in Amsterdam. The first pic is awesome.

Bake a Book: Gizmodo post about book technology (yes BOOK technology) with thermo-reactive ink. Basically, the pages are blank until you bake the book in the oven, then words show up.

50 Years of Lego: So I missed posting about the birthday of the Lego brick, but here’s the timeline (also Gizmodo).

Polaroid to Nix Polaroids. What?: Yep, no more instant photos (aka Polaroids!) from Polaroid. Next thing we know Aunt Jemima will quit making syrup, rain will stop being wet, and we’ll here that the John Montagu (look him up if you must) never ate sandwiches.

Defend Your Coffee Habbit: I must have at least 2 cups of coffee every afternoon, if I do not you do not want to be around me. I’ve used each of these defenses at least once.

Bradley Hathaway Interview: A wonderful interview with Bradley Hathaway from HM Magazine. The best parts are what he says about love, both God’s love and romantic love. If you don’t know who Bradley Hathaway is, educate yourself, you won’t be disappointed.

And I’ll end with a quote:

“American movies have been using satire for years to take the edge off sex and violence. Occasionally, perhaps sex and violence should be treated with the seriousness they deserve.” – Roger Ebert

I guess that’s it for goals. Now if I were to make a resolution, and I usually don’t, it would be the same as a couple years ago: a never-ending quest to find beauty in everything, aka find God’s love in everything.

Saw some old friends, met some new ones, had a good time with God.

Best part of coming home: my own coffee, my own bed, oh and taking my contacts out! I forgot to bring my contact case or my glasses so I had to sleep with them in for 2 nights.