Thought of an economist…

It’s been a while since I’ve last blogged and a lot of thoughts keep flooding my mind lately. For whatever reason, and this may just be me, it seems like America is in this constant state of reaction. Daily, we as a country cry out for better protection of funds, of “our rights” and our way of live, not realizing that we are jeopardizing those very rights in the process. “How?” you might ask. Well… think of it this way. We in Tennessee have recently experienced a gas shortage after Hurricane Ike hit the coast of Texas. How did this happen? Well… it was believed that gas would be in short supply after the hurricane, (remind you of any news casters talking about this?) and as such caused TN residents to freak out and buy A LOT of gas. Due to this happening, the price of gas went up as well as gas supply going down. Surprise Surprise… we CAUSED our own shortage. What happened? What happened to the America that set the pace for the rest of the world to follow? What happened to the work ethics we’ve read about in history books and the American spirit described in books like Atlas Shrugged?

I believe that this country was founded on principles that are simply being forgotten as time progresses. Principles like freedom of speech, of religion, of property, of the right to bear arms are being replaced with “tolerant” principles-principles such as freedom of “relative” speech, freedom of some religions, freedom of universal property, and the persecution of having a gun.

Whether this makes a difference, it does not matter to me. All I believe is that unless we start acting thoughtfully, carefully and diligently about our current country state, we will succumb to thoughtless, careless and reactionary driven living. The choice is yours.

Think deeply and fully!

For your consideration…

It’s been a long break from blogging and honestly… haven’t really kept up with staying off technology. I digress.

At any rate, during the times I am able to break away from technology, it’s been really rewarding and also difficult, as thoughts about general life come up. Out of all those times away from a computer/electronic device and engaged in thought, two questions have stuck out:

“WHY are we so scared to give up “control” of our lives?” and
“WHY are we afraid to try something new and different?”

Both of these are interesting “ideas” of which a number of heady, over thought explanations can be said. When it’s all said and done though, WHY are we so scared and afraid of these things? What do we REALLY lose in the grand scheme of things?

Interesting things to think about.

Break before the Surge

I will be taking a break starting this weekend from technology in general except my phone, email  and some chatting. This break comes at a much needed time as I move into a new job and as God continues to move in my life. If you want to reach me, my phone and email will be accessible.

Pleasant week and weekend to all! See you on the other side of this break!

Finding Your Heart in the Desert

As day breaks, you look out upon the open plain and smile to yourself. “Today is the day,” you think quietly and prepare for the challenge that lay ahead. Stepping outside your door, you notice a quite unlike one you’ve experienced before. It calls, beckons and prods you on to find the very thing you desperately search for. Today, in this barren wasteland of utter nothingness, you are hunting the most elusive prey of all… your heart.

There is something amazing about being out in the middle of nature with no one around. It’s peaceful, awe inspiring, and yet beckons you on to search… to explore… to discover something new. Why is it, then, that so many give up their search and reserve themselves to the monotony of life? Thoreau stated beautifully his decision to search the wilderness by saying,
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation…” He concludes that, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation…” WHY do we do this!? Simply put… we have lost sight of our Hearts.

For Thoreau, living life is continually searching, learning and experiencing. Why then would it be any different for us as Christians in our spiritual journey? You would not ask a child, or someone without any experience in a particular field or job, to know themselves and the world around them instantly. So why do we ask this of ourselves as Christians?

I would say we do this, because we derive our personal purpose in life from The Great Commission in some small way. What is not stressed, however, is the need for the Holy Spirit as the focal point of our very existence, not just an addition to it. Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit’s power and role as our focal point, in Acts 1:8 by telling them to wait. Being told to wait is a pretty terrible thing to be told, ESPECIALLY after what the disciples went through and experienced during their time with Jesus. Jesus knew that they needed to wait and receive from the Holy Spirit before setting off on His plan for their lives.

This leads me back to the “desert place”. No matter part of the world you are in, there are spots of barren waste lands. What’s so amazing to point out is this… God created ALL of that. All of the barren, the dangerous terrain, and the exciting wilderness God created and called it good! There is something about those places that each of us connects and that is natural. We crave that sense of danger, excitement, and awe in our own way, and these places allow us to realize more of ourselves and the awesomeness of our God. That is why our hearts are special and unique. We are made in the “wild” image of God and He created us that way! These places, of desert and barren wastelands are unique and special, so WHY find, discover, and tap into your heart and God somewhere that is not unique or amazing?

God draws us to the desert to teach, grow and bring to our attention His glory… and our part in this great world. So why wait! He’s calling from the desert

…and the wheels on the bus go round and round

This weekend has been pretty interesting indeed . The Bucket List, in combination with California Pizza Kitchen, was probably the best birthday outing I’ve ever had in a while! Why? The reason is simple. I ENJOYED my birthday with people I care so much for. Even though there were only 7 of us, it was exactly what I needed.

After watching the movie, which EVERYONE must go see, I began to realize that my life needed a change. Yes… it is “customary” to have those feelings after watching a movie about the frailty of life but I knew, without hesitation, that a change was needed.

As people started to leave for the evening, I was left contemplating my life into the wee hours of the evening. One thing I kept coming back to was, “WHY are we so scared of change?” The more I’ve sat and thought about it, the more the answer is clear. We’re afraid of this because we don’t know how much it will require of us and how much we may have to sacrifice during the change. Intimacy, Love, Commitment, a new job are just a few things that can look daunghting at times, because it looks too overwhelming from the onset.