The Mind of the Lunatic

This post will vary from most any other posts. I am just writing this because someone asked me one time what makes me think the way I do. You see, those who know me know that random thoughts are the major part of the way my life operates. That’s what made the title of this blog so appropriate. What I am thinking can vary from one moment to the next. Some say I am probably ADHD, which is probably true. The fact is I am simply who I am and I have stopped trying to fight my process. I work to change my underlying point of focus that gets me from point A to point B. This is a good thing.

I am often called  a veritable cornucopia of useless knowledge (this is something I see now as a term of endearment than anything). What makes me that way? I would say more than anything it’s my overwhelming desire to ask questions. I try not to stifle the questions I ask to make sure that I don’t interrupt the process. I think it helps me be more balanced and well-rounded.

Image via Wikipedia

Tonight while I was doing the dishes I was thinking about Vienna Sausages. I really don’t like them but they were there in my mind nonetheless. I found out later this evening that real Vienna Sausage does not remotely resemble that which we are accustomed to in the United States. They are generally larger and are usually fresh and not canned. I believe I would like the real deal much more. I can never get past the gelatinous mass within the can surrounding the sausages.

The funny part about being me now is that it seems the more of this stuff I fill my mind with the more random the process seems to come. This makes life that much more humorous for me; probably mostly for me, and maybe not so much for others. I find myself laughing to myself a lot more these days.

If I were to say anything about all of this I would say that I am so thankful to God for giving me a mind and the ability to process thought (all thought). Some say the stuff that I retain is so often useless, but if the human only really uses a little over ten percent of the brain than I have room to spare for extra stuff. I have found that no thought is necessarily a waste, but what you do with it is the kicker.

For those of you who wanted to know why I think what I do – there you have it. If you aren’t one of those people just stick it in the memory bank; you might find it makes you think of something someday. Just don’t be afraid to think. That may be the biggest crime of all. God gave us all a mind. Take it out and play with it once in a while.

Thanks for reading.

the lunatic

Addison Road

Addison Road via last.fm

I got an opportunity to see another great concert at The River in Forsyth, MO last Wednesday. Addison Road was playing and they were amazing. Sometimes you go to a concert and there is great music, but this was much more. I love being able to feel like you have been a part of something special that not everyone may experience. That is what it felt like last Wednesday.

Ryan Gregg, Travis Lawrence, Jenny Simmons, Ryan Simmons, and Jeff Sutton make up Addison Road. Their music was great, and the show was powerful. Jenny is the lead singer for the group and you can tell that she genuinely loves being where she is. Some bands are great to hear; you could actually feel a pulse with Addison Road. Some bands just seem to “get it” and this is one of them.

In addition to seeing a great concert The River in conjunction with Addision Road was able to send over 1000.00 to Convoy of Hope for the people of Haiti. It’s amazing to have a good time and know you are helping people in the process.

If you get an opportunity to see Addison Road when they come through your area jump at the opportunity. In the meantime, pick up some of their music. Thanks so much, Addison Road, for coming to The River; we loved the experience!

the lunatic

The Book of Eli

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

I want to take a moment to talk about a movie that really affected me this week. A buddy of mine and I saw “The Book of Elii” last Friday night and found ourselves watching one of the best movies we had seen in years. I had no idea what to expect from this movie and sometimes that makes me nervous because often that means I am giving up a couple hours of my life I won’t ever get back.This was not the case this time. I sat at the edge of my seat enthralled by each twist. It’s the first movie I have gone to see on an opening night in ages and I absolutely loved it. I will not talk a lot about the movie plot itself, because I want you to experience each wrinkle as it occurs. I will say this is one I don’t think you should miss.

This movie is going to take some criticism because of the “F bomb” that lands on a few occasions. Many will say that this is not something that should occur in a movie that involves the Bible in any way. I want to say to those people this movie is a movie about potential human condition, and be very careful how we judge it. This is a movie full of excitement and action with a message that will stir your soul.

Denzel Washington was amazing in this movie. I don’t know that I have ever seen him do something like this before. He was awesome! In a world full of actors that just seem to carry little range, Denzel proved that he has yet one more facet to add to his already stellar portfolio. Gary Oldman was also really good in this movie; he gives a very stark contrast to this movie and paints a perfect picture of how desperate people have tried to grasp at straws to harness ultimate power.

There are many entertaining movies, and also many that try to bring a message, but “The Book of Eli” does an amazing Job of doing both. Regardless of your background, if you don’t come away from this movie changed you need checked for a pulse. There are a lot of other things I could say but I really want you to experience this and I don’t want to draw your attention to anything that may distract you from other nuances. What I do want to say is if you are only going to go out and see one movie in the next 5 years go and see this one.

This movie is going to take you on a thrill ride that will take a hold of your inner most being. Don’t be surprised if you end up going to Denny’s with your friends and talking about the many important themes this film has to offer.

On a scale of four stars, I can say we ought to add another star. Enjoy!

the lunatic

Who Woulda’ Thunk It? (In Memory of My Granny, Norma Buyack)

On January 2nd a lady that was a very special part of my life passed away. I have been holding off on writing about the way I felt about this until it all made sense to me. Tonight I was sitting thinking about the many ways Norma Buyack impacted my life. It seems like all in a flash memories came back to me through recollections that conversations with my brother and sister seemed to spur. As I was thinking of all of these things a familiar passage came to me as well.

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – ⁸Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)

I was very fortunate because I got to know my Granny better than many ever would. I stayed with her often while my Mom would work. In today’s world a kid stuck in his Grandma’s house might be seen as a nightmare, but it was just the opposite for me. God knew what He was doing when He paired my Granny and I together.

As I was growing up those who knew me would recall that I talked a lot. I talked a lot about the things I saw, and heard. I didn’t see very well but my memory was good. Granny was the sounding board for a lot of my early ideas and questions. She used to tell me things that I said in vivid detail; not just general ideas, but complete verbal documentation of my ramblings. I have come to realize now that those things were things she held onto because of her interest in me. This was a lady who loved me so much that she would hang on things I would say and then internalize them. She genuinely, patiently, and gently cared for me.

I remember times when my Granny would pitch endless innings of wiffle balls to me; she would pitch the ball to me for hours it seemed some days. We played War and Slap Jack with an old deck of cards until we couldn’t see straight. I remember her letting me go through her counters and her shelves throughout her house countless times. She never seemed to care what I got into as long as I put it back where I found it. Always it seems I would ask questions one right after the other and she would always answer them. When I am sure half the world would have told me to shut up she swould let me prattle on about anything.

As I grew up I got busier with school events and extracurricular activities. She would always make time to be there. When I sang in Church she was there, and often a tape recorder accompanied her. She not only attended, but she relived many of those events looking through pictures and programs while she listened to tapes and videos. I didn’t often see her doing it, but I knew whenever I had a question she could pull the information from an album she saved to tell me what I had done and when. I still hear people tell me to this day that there were times they would come over and she would play one of those videos or tapes for them. I just can’t imagine how anyone in this world would care that much for anything I said or sang. Even when I wasn’t singing, acting or speaking anymore she was still listening.

My Granny may have been my biggest fan; even at times when I didn’t act in a way deserving of it. As I grew older it seemed that I spent a lot of time wrapped up in stuff I was doing and found less time to share with her. Still she would be there anytime I needed her. She could always find time to listen when I didn’t feel like I could trust anyone else. She found a way to make sure I had a few extra dollars when I was short. She would encourage me when I felt like I was at the end of my rope. Granny was always happy to talk to me, and she always found ways to make me feel better about myself.

I am going to miss teasing her about the Cardinals; it gave me good practice because now I am the only Cubs fan in a house full of Cardinals lovers. I will miss her attempts at discipline. When I would get into trouble she would chase me around the house with a fly swatter, by the time she had caught up with me we were both laughing so hard neither of us remembered what I had done. At least she never really let on that she remembered. I am going to miss the rides she used to give me even though the way she drove made me wonder if I would ever reach home alive again. Most of all I am going to miss the way we would laugh about silly things, an how she always made me feel good about who I am. I am going to miss the picture she gave me of Jesus’ patience and grace.

I am so thankful that I got the opportunity in the end to tell her I love her, and to thank her for all she had done for me. I just wish I had done more of that as time passed. It seems like that is always the way life is; you never really feel like you have done enough for the ones that have given you so much.

I never would have known that my Granny would have been one of the best examples of my Savior in my lifetime? I am so thankful for the love she showed me even when I didn’t deserve it, or at least I didn’t feel like I did. My life is better because she was a part of it.

Who are those people in your life? Please don’t let another minute go by without taking the opportunity to reflect on what that person has done for you. If you have the chance please take the time to thank them for the love that they have shown you. Many people go through life wondering if they will be important enough to affect someone’s life. You might make their day if you let that person know what they have done for you.

Thanks for letting me brag a little about a sweet lady that helped shaped my life.

the lunatic

Hangin’ On By a Thread

One of the coolest things about my boys is that they listen to the same type of music I love. We were watching TVU the other day and I heard a song that absolutely captivated me. The title is “Hangin’ By a Thread” by The Color Black. The video pulled me in and the Lyrics were amazing. So much of the song hit me right where I live.

Save me from losing myself
I’m hangin’ on by a thread.
Can You see who I am
Underneath my scars?
I am afraid to fall.
So, I’m holding on to You.
No, I won’t let go.
I’m hangin’ on by a thread.

What I heard in this song is the story of my life these days. Most addicts I know are willing to admit that they are on bad decision away from spiraling into the abyss that was their habit. It’s hard to admit that I can’t control the thing that draws me, but it also makes me feel free at the same time. I know I can’t do it alone. I am so happy to have a Creator that understands this. I am also happy that I have found people I trust that ask me tough questions to help me deal with my addictions.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (New American Standard Version)
^5\Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

Notice in this verse that it doesn’t say that all of your dreams will come true. I am here to tell you that this would be nice, but it isn’t realistic. It doesn’t say that it won’t hurt. We are told our path will be straight. The more you learn about God and what He wants in your life the more clear this whole concept will become.

What I will also tell you is that it has been worth it. It doesn’t matter what I put in my body or my mind in the past; I always came up empty and unfulfilled. I can’t say that everything I want to occur is happening, but what I have now is far better than the alternative. I have days that I want to throw it all in, but I have to make the conscious decision to follow to my Savior who can keep me from losing myself.

What eats at you today? Do you have healthy people in your life who you trust to talk to when things get tough? If you don’t there are people who can help you through your stuff. I found that kind of person at Celebrate Recovery. I am learning that the stuff that hurt me can be useful for learning, and maybe also help others as well.

Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. I am definitely a little crazy, but I don’t ever want insanity again.

the lunatic

Are You Nuts?

I don’t know about you, but when life gets hard I never really think of it as a good thing. Often I find myself wondering what I did to deserve the storm I am about to face. Have you ever thought that the stuff that you are about to go through might be thrown your way to because it’s good for you? This passage that I was reading tonight suggests just that.

James 1:2-4
²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

I lost a job in June that was paying me pretty well. It allowed us to purchase a house, and things were looking pretty good. I fell into a comfortable groove thinking that all would be settling this way for a while. Then it happened. We had an incident happen at the restaurant that really wasn’t in my control; however, since I was the manager on the floor it became my responsibility. The owner decided to make an example of someone, and I was let go. I was frustrated and didn’t know what was going to happen next, but it seems now that God had a plan. Financially we aren’t where we were, but I think God is preparing other things for my family and I. Right now, I am simply trusting that God will work all things out.

The fact is, this could have been something that made me butter. Don’t get me wrong – I was ticked, but I think that this may have been a test to see if I would let it get me thrown off the path of where God wanted me. In my mind it is almost a compliment sent by God. I know that He wouldn’t allow anything I couldn’t endure to happen to me. With this being said this means He knew I could get through this. If God wasn’t moving in my life there would be no challenges. I’d be stuck fighting the same thing until I beat it with God’s help, or it beat me.

I want to leave a few passages with you to look over to help make sense of some of this.

1 Corinthians 10:13
¹³No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Philippians 1:6
⁶being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Just think of your life as a piece if pottery being molded and shaped over time. Each opportunity you have to overcome a rough patch or challenge in your life adds to the beauty of the creation. You have to decide how pliable you are going to allow yourself to be.

I have gone through struggles in life. Lately if I encounter new ones that is always an opportunity to add a facet to the repertoire God is trying to create in me. I would never think of praying for God to bring them on, but I will ask Him for the strength to endure. With God in my life all things are possible.

When the storm comes know that God has already planned for you to get through it. It’s up to you to trust Him for the way through. I was always relieved when a teacher in school would tell me the test I was about to take was “open book”; the cool thing about your Creator also gives us these types of tests.

Open your Book this week; He has given you the answers.

the lunatic

Action Against Distraction

Image via Wikipedia

I was reading one of my favorite verses tonight. I am sure I have mentioned it before in a past posting. I was brought back to this passage tonight by an old posting by Ron Hutchcraft regarding distraction. I try to read in several versions of the Bible occasionally to grasp different nuances. Biblegateway.com is a great tool for study because it give me an opportunity to look at Scripture in several different translations. Tonight I looked at this passage in The Message and this passage seemed new to me.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (The Message)
^1-3Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

I was watching a Swimming Championship a few months back and was amazed at some of the suits that swimmers are using today. Swimmers move through the water faster. Track suits develop each year as well and you never know what a runner will be wearing to make them faster. It’s all about shaving that extra second off of your time to surpass your competition. One kid who was in my youth group many years back wore strength shoes to improve his hops on the basketball court. That white boy could jump.The technology today that is at work to improve ones game is fascinating, and has become so defined. I find it amazing.

So many of us have devoted our lives to being the best at something. We focus on our careers, lifestyles, hobbies, and look for the things that will make us better at them. We can sometimes get ourselves so tuned into that we stop hearing the real signal that guides our lives. I am probably the worst person to talk about this due to the fact that I am totally to blame for this behavior as well. As Christ-followers we are called to do what is patterned for us and focus on that with everything we have in us. As I mentioned in my last blog post I believe that Satan use our passions against us to distract us from what matters often to the point that we fight for those desires harder than we do our Christianity.

I was playing a game on Facebook called Mafia Wars. It had become a habitual thing for me. I was moving along very nicely and was hip deep in advancing through the ranks. It was becoming a big issue but I didn’t see it. I am glad that my wife did. She had some great insight and all I could see was that I was about to lose something I had spent so much time doing. Then it dawned on me once I cooled off that this was exactly the issue. I wish I had acted differently when my wife discussed it with me, but I didn’t. See how Satan works? The cool thing is now I am using that time that I would have normally used for that silly game to write tonight.

What is it that is keeping you from focusing on your Creator? Is there a passion that pulls you off course. Look for those things this week. Even better, ask someone else you trust if they see anything in your life that holds you back, and be willing to listen to them. It may be the greatest thing you ever did.

Run for the prize and don’t look back.

the lunatic

Pick Your Battles

I am just going to preface this whole post by saying that some of you may not agree with some of what I am saying. All I can say is it was given to me, and I am compelled to write it down. So here goes.  It was said best by a person this week as she was speaking to kids at the River. Some say that if we don’t do what God is calling us to do He will choose someone else. If this were true the world wouldn’t be broken. What I do here isn’t a big part of what God wants for all of us in our lives, but it helps you to think a little than I have done what I feel God put me here to do. Mindy, thanks for helping God stir my heart this week.

I am hearing a lot of talk about the condition of our families, and our country, and our world. I hear lately some squalling about the Tea Party demonstrations and water on the moon. I am guilty of worrying about whether or not my Fantasy Football team is going to win, or if any of my favorite teams are going to win championships. When you think about these things, in the grand scheme of life they are all going to go poof when it all goes down. Cockroaches and Twinkies may be the only thing left when the world comes to an end, but Fantasy Football, The Chicago Cubs, the Moon’s water, and Tea Party demonstrations will not save us. I am pointing at myself when I say this, if you are not showing someone who Jesus Christ is in what you are doing when you are rallying the masses with your fifteen minutes of fame then you have missed the boat.

Philippians 4:1-9 (NIV)
¹Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

2I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. ³Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

What fires you up? Do you get bent out of shape with the way the President is directing the Country? This is alright because God can save the world with or without a United States that moves in the direction you think it should.  You do know that there is nowhere in the Bible that mentions the United States finishes as a sovereign place of God’s people. I love America; I am saying there is a point where Satan can use that whole argument to take my eyes off of who is in control of my life. Is the economy messing with your life? I can assure you, if your focus is on God at some point He will deliver you from that storm. Water on the moon will not quench the thirst of one who is parched spiritually. As much as I hate to say it, if my fantasy football team does come from behind to win this year if the folks playing with me don’t know who Jesus is I have dropped the ball entirely.

Ephesians 6:11-13
¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Do you ever wonder if arguments over government, race, special interests, and even religion are tools that Satan uses to keep us off the real matter at hand? If he has us focused on the things that eat us up in ordinary life we can’t be totally focused on seeing how we might be able to reach someone who needs God. Sometimes we get so set on finding out what is broken we neglect seeing the neighbor across the street who  may need to know they’re life can be better if they know the freedom Jesus Christ can give.

What are you fighting about? What are you living for? In our lives we can’t always count on someone else to do the right thing; we need to pick our battles and focus on the things that really matter. In our church, several months ago, we were challenged to take inventory of what we spent our money on to see where it goes. This way we could see whet things we focused on and whether or not that was healthy spending. I want to challenge you to look at your daily practices and see what you focus on. Are you putting your energy and time into things that really matter?

This hit me hard this week; I am sorry if it offends anyone.

Thanks for reading.

the lunatic

Breaking Up is Hard To Do

You hear a lot of stories about women or men who stay in abusive relationships regardless of how damaging that can be to their well-being.  People make fun of others because they have crazy habits they won’t give up. I had a friend in college (he is still a friend, and that is why his name will not be mentioned) that used to take pictures of his books at the end of a semester so that when he moved back into the dorm they could go in the same place the following year. Great guy, smart as a whip; just a little quirky. I am no stranger to habits I just haven’t seemed to kick. I drink too much soda and I can’t quit chewing on my nails. I don’t see soda falling off the radar soon, but the nails thing – that can go away anytime and I would be okay with it.

Why don’t people break habits? Why do people do destructive things or let crazy stuff happen to them? The answer to that is generally the same as to why people allow themselves to stay spiritually sick. It is not easy to quit; it’s easier to stay the course. Honestly, who likes life to be difficult; even if it is only for a while? It is said that once you repeat a pattern 21 times it pretty much becomes a habit; then once it becomes a steady part of your life you may very well be stuck with it. As I have stated before in other posts, practice doesn’t make perfect – practice makes permanent.

The writers of the Bible totally have this pinned when you read about giving up something that is not all that good for you. Let’s look and see what some of these verses have in common.

²⁵Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. ²⁷No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 (NIV)

²¹So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²²For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. Romans 7:21-23 (NIV)

¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Did you notice words like strict training, beating your body, run with perseverance? All of these items describe a struggle, and training. You cannot kick a habit, hurt, or hangup, without there being some form of resistance. In today’s world it is far too easy to choose the path of least resistance. That’s why the Bible writers relate choosing the Christian lifestyle as a race, or a fight; you cannot be really good at a sport of any kind without pushing yourself there. Changing habits is not pictured as a stroll through the garden. You have to struggle some to get to where you need to be when you want to be spiritually  whole. Frankly, kicking any habit takes a lot of struggle. This is why so many people stick with smoking or nail biting – it’s just simpler. People often are heard telling others that they stay in their abusive relationship because they know what to expect; these people are paralyzed by the idea of change.

What is the answer? The answer pretty much depends on each individual. You have to want to make the change happen for yourself. Changing because others want you to just doesn’t work in the long haul. However, personal experience tells me that conquering these things builds your confidence, and character. I love watching the end stories of “The Biggest Loser“. Some of these people who didn’t make it to the end are even more inspirational because they continued their discipline away from the collective group. I am amazed by their stories.

The cool thing that I love about being a Christian is talked about in Hebrews 12. We have the “Cloud of Witnesses” surrounding us. The Bible is full of accounts of people who have struggled and won. This gives me a charge. We also have a coach, Jesus Christ, who has dealt with struggles like we have and got through them without falling in the challenge. That is amazing. It’s nice to have someone teaching me to run that has already had success in the sport.

The question has little to do with wondering if you can do it; ot os much more an issue of how much you want it. I want to stop chewing on my nails like an anxious squirrel, but it seems I haven’t really focused on doing so. I will say that God is bringing me through some huge hang ups that don’t have me so hung up as they used to. I have had a good coach, but I have also surrounded myself with others who have fought and are winning their daily battles. These people have lots of heart; when they are knocked down they get back up. I want those people in my corner when I am fighting.

When I get up each morning I have to make decisions as to how I want to live my day, and I need to take steps to get to that point. How does your routine when you get up affect your day? Are you stretched and ready to run that race? Think about it as you get up tomorrow; put a card in your bathroom mirror to remind you of your goal for the day.They say, “No pain – No gain.” I will have to say this time they are right.

Anything good is worth fighting for. What are you fighting for?

the lunatic

Who do you run to?

Image by laurenmarek via Flickr

I want to go on record as saying I am really proud of my wife these days. I am proud of the growth I have seen in her. I love seeing what God is doing in her life. On more than one occasion lately the rug of security has been pulled out from under us, and money has been kind of tight. I am loving my job, but I would love a night job to help out with that; it’s not happened as of yet. With all of this being said my wife could be really stressed out right now, but all in all she has been solid. She really gets what I am writing about tonight, and I couldn’t think of a better example right now than Catie.

I was reading Luke 8 tonight and saw some amazing stuff. If you read the chapter you’ll notice that Jesus had a pretty exciting stretch where action was happening all around them, and the people were all buzzing about Jesus and the things that were happening. It is storming tonight, and I was walking our new dog. He heard thunder and absolutely came unglued. Some of this made me think of the frantic experience the disciples had in the following passage.

Luke 8:22-25 (NIV)
²²One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. ²³As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

²⁴The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ²⁵“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Can you imagine the fear these guys must have been facing? It would have had to be a serious storm to get some of these guys riled up. Think about it, some of these fellas were very comfortable in a boat and I am certain they have seen some rough water. They were so afraid they had to drop the “I am a man and I can do this on my own” attitude and ask for help, but when they did they woke up the right guy to take care of it. They had seen and heard amazing things that day and they obviously still had it fresh in their mind. Now, imagine what they thought when the water just went silent and leveled out. I think Luke could have made a little bigger deal out of this situation when he wrote about it. Crammed in that short passage is an amazing story. What a story to tell to your family!

Who do you run to when it gets rough? What is it that you cling to when stuff is falling apart? I will find a job if that is what God wants for me. If He can raise the dead, and calm the sea, and cast demons out of people, my families needs will be met. I will have to be honest and say part of why I write is to reassure myself. If that seems self serving – live with it. If I write the stuff, and put it out there it is one more reason for me to feel God’s power. I mean, how dumb do I look if I let all of this consume me now? I am stubborn enough to stand by something I put in writing (at least I am much better at that these days).

I hope that you have somewhere to run when the lightning and thunder break through the sky. Our dog, Lou, lays right beside me now while I write this. I can’t stop the rain, but I am the safest thing he knows right now. That is pretty cool. While the storms rage I want with everything in me to cling to God. He is the only one big enough to handle my stuff; when I try, I screw it all up.

I hope you will run to Him – He’s got a rock solid track record, and a really big book full of references. Plus, He created you. There is no one else that knows how to care for you like He does. Hang on to Him when the thunder rolls, and the lightning strikes.

Thanks for reading my ramblings.

the lunatic