Although I don’t often feel sorry for myself on the blog, I have to say that it’s been a rough year. Make that year and a half.
Intrinsic in faith is living with a few assumptions:
1) There’s more going on than what I see and feel.
2) Things will get better, eventually.
3) When they do, I will see the dark times as a short, forgettable moment before the fun began.
Over a year ago I started marking any verse in my Bible that promised hope. Faith tells me that these represent the reality of how things really are, and someday will be.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
The righteous may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers from them all;
He protects their bones, not one will be broken.” Psalm 34:19-20
“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” Psalm 37:25
“When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way” Psalm 142:3
I blatantly stole this post from my former roommate Trevor. He’s probably the only hobby blogger I know more committed to it than I. Check out his awesome reflections and resources here.
I want to introduce you to a friend of mine; Chad Overman.
Chad and I were in a community group in San Antonio and at first I could only just tolerate Chad. For at least three reasons: (1) He just so pretty, (2) when he first went to shake my hand I reached out and he quickly turned his into a fist at the last second for a fist bump…this annoyed me for some reason, and (3) Chad has some long fingernails on his strumming hand which still creep me out.
But Chad’s a great guy who has worked through some tough challenges and has gained some valued wisdom. After I somehow fell into the role of “leader” for that group I really appreciated Chad’s insights and questions, especially when I wasn’t as prepared as I should have been.
Also Chad married a great gal, Jamie.
And his dad was once a motivational speaker!!!
Here’s Chad’s video for a song off his upcoming album Songs For The
Much of the time I spent reading Hinds’ Feet on High Places, I wasn’t exactly sure what a Hind was and why there feet were so special. The book is an allegorical tale in the tradition of Paul Bunyan, and provides a simple but meaningful visual aid for understanding the process of sanctification.
The book tells the story of Much Afraid, who lives in the Valley of Humiliation and serves the Chief Shepherd. She is invited by the Shepherd to follow him to the High Places where she will be given a new name, and strong, nimble feet like the feet of a female deer (hind.)
Along the way Much Afraid is kept company by two companions, Sorrow and Suffering. She is forced to go through many detours. On each side trip, she finds herself struggling against he evil relatives, including Pride, Resentment and Craven Fear. Every time the Shepherd saves her and she creates a small altar on which she sacrifices what is holding her back: self will, pride, etc.
The best part is that the book does not end with Much Afraid’s transformation. Having been given the Hinds Feet, she looks back into the Valley of Humiliation, and sees her relatives with pity. She returns home with a new sense of mission, imagining what her family would look like if they, too could be transformed.
Hinds’ Feet provides a much needed understanding of how God changes people. It is not a story about getting to Heaven, but a story about how to become more like our Chief Shepherd. The book has reminded me that life is journey, and, if done at his leading, each sacrifice made along the way serves to shape and form us into the image of Christ.
2. Run a full marathon. Check. Knees still hurt. The key now is create new fitness goals. I’ve been slackin.
3. Climb a 14,000′ Mountain. I really want to do this, but my financial situation will really have to change to make it happen.
4. Visit somewhere I’ve never been. See numero 3.
5. Find a full-time job. I’m praying a lot about this. I’m hoping God will provide a clear opportunity. Maybe even an alternative to a full time job that is more in line with my skills/passions.
6. Take at least one graduate course. Researching grad schools today, actually.
7. Read 40 books. I’m up to about 15, with Forgotten Ways and Spider and the Elephant in the hopper.
8. Volunteer at least 1 time a month. Had a great time with the families over at Foundation for the Homeless.
9. Pay off all debt, except school loans. Slowly but surely.
10. Share my faith regularly. I’ve had two really awesome chances to talk about my faith with non-believers recently. I’m praying for God to send others to follow up on that.
11. Begin leading and/or hosting a regular gathering for skeptics and Christians to study the Bible. Taking a big step in this direction this weekend. Definitely could use your prayers.
12. Write daily, including journaling, blogging and working on a book. Getting a little better at this, though there are more missing dates on my calendar than I’d like.
Bad News: no promotion. Good news: Spent the evening w/ Vox peeps serving Foundation 4 the Homeless http://ht.ly/2hy3W #thestuffthatmatters www.twitter.com/chrismorton822010/07/28
Although I don’t often feel sorry for myself on the blog, I have to say that it’s been a rough year. Make that year and a half.
