God has extravagant possibilities for you and me. Every once in a while we feel the Spirit pulling us to do something new, something rare, something good. There’s a relentless spontaneity about it. Every once in a while we should act on impulse with just the faintest impression that we heard God say, “Go.”No day is without the possibility of a unique opportunity. If we keep asking, “What peculiar thing might God want from me?” we’ll find ways to adore God.
Try telling God that you want to live an out of the ordinary day. Pray more than an ordinary prayer. Pray that God will empty you of everything that isn’t love. Speak an extravagant word of grace to someone. Look for words so lavish that their face and yours will turn red. Embarrass one of your professors. Love Greek and Hebrew excessively. Read Augustine hopefully. Read your preaching textbook passionately. Read a book that’s only recommended. Read the Bible.
Do something for your church that you’ve never done. Pick something that frightens you. Stir things up. Be the one who mentions Jesus during deacons’ meetings. Speak to someone to whom you’ve gotten used to not speaking. Sell something and give the money to feed hungry children. Give more than a reasonable amount. Be open to all kinds of extravagant possibilities. God may invite you to go beyond what’s reasonable. God will lead us to become better thinkers, better ministers, better Christians, to love this school, love the church, love Christ.
How long has it been since you did something impractical because you believe in God? When was the last time you did anything foolish for love? Mary thought about her gift for the rest of her life. She could have used that money in a thousand different ways, but God gave Mary a love that was worth everything. God offers us the same love.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
I AM that person!
I have this thing. See, it really annoys me when people drive with their windshield wipers on full throttle...and it's only sprinkling. Or, they're sitting at a traffic light and their wipers are swoosh swoosh swoosh swoosh...and there's no need. I mean really, folks? Turn them down at traffic lights. Put them on the lowest setting necessary.
I don't know why it bothers me. Silly pet peeve, I guess. Probably a little South Florida snobbery in there, too. I mean, it is just rain. We So-Flas deal with it all the time. Get used to it. I understand some people might not be comfortable driving in the rain (I'd be the same in snow, most likely). I understand that sometimes you just haven't gotten around to RainX-ing your windshield and you have to put the wipers on high so the rain gets cleared. I know it's a stupid tick, so I try not to be annoyed...
And then yesterday. Preface: it has been pouring here for three STRAIGHT days. I love rain, but Florida style where it rains a bit in the afternoon, totally predictable. Not this day upon day upon day stuff! Driving in it sucks, and I've been driving a lot these last couple days, so I've been getting my money out of my wiper blades. I was reflecting on this pet peeve I have when I realized something.
I AM that person!
I was sitting a light - jamming out to my iPod, contemplating the day and the stuff I have to do and all that's going on in my life - and realized I hadn't turned down my windshield wipers. They were going dang-crazy fast. I was totally THAT person! I quickly turned them down and hoped no one noticed - noticed they were psychotically swishing or noticed my blatant hypocrisy.
Which reminded me of another driving-related silliness. I used to get inexplicably pissed at people who weren't tall enough to be seen over the back of their headrests. Like it was their fault or something. See, I live in South Florida and that usually means some old person who is in the left lane and needs to move the stink over to the right lane...and then I realized. You can't see my head over the headrest either.
I don't know why it bothers me. Silly pet peeve, I guess. Probably a little South Florida snobbery in there, too. I mean, it is just rain. We So-Flas deal with it all the time. Get used to it. I understand some people might not be comfortable driving in the rain (I'd be the same in snow, most likely). I understand that sometimes you just haven't gotten around to RainX-ing your windshield and you have to put the wipers on high so the rain gets cleared. I know it's a stupid tick, so I try not to be annoyed...
And then yesterday. Preface: it has been pouring here for three STRAIGHT days. I love rain, but Florida style where it rains a bit in the afternoon, totally predictable. Not this day upon day upon day stuff! Driving in it sucks, and I've been driving a lot these last couple days, so I've been getting my money out of my wiper blades. I was reflecting on this pet peeve I have when I realized something.
I AM that person!
I was sitting a light - jamming out to my iPod, contemplating the day and the stuff I have to do and all that's going on in my life - and realized I hadn't turned down my windshield wipers. They were going dang-crazy fast. I was totally THAT person! I quickly turned them down and hoped no one noticed - noticed they were psychotically swishing or noticed my blatant hypocrisy.
Which reminded me of another driving-related silliness. I used to get inexplicably pissed at people who weren't tall enough to be seen over the back of their headrests. Like it was their fault or something. See, I live in South Florida and that usually means some old person who is in the left lane and needs to move the stink over to the right lane...and then I realized. You can't see my head over the headrest either.
Monday, March 16, 2009
How is it possible to be this unmotivated?
I mean, for real. I am going to get my work done. On time. It will be good. I will probably do well. But I don't care. And I have no idea why. Is this the second semester blahs? The newness and excitement of the first semester has worn off and now it's just work? Even though I'm enjoying what I'm learning, I'm not as gung-ho about getting it done. I'm still working hard and diligently and all that, but that crazy motivating energy I had last semester is no more. True, there are a lot more external things going on this semester. I have less free time, less play time. I'm volunteering, working, running (training with partners for a 1/2), etc, etc. which cuts into my frisbee/football time. And I've had other extracurricular stuff that's seriously distracted me from caring about class and classwork. Part of me says, oh well! I'll muddle through this semester. But the other part of me wants to enjoy every moment fully, feel everything fully - like I did last semester. I don't want to miss out on anything because I was distracted or unmotivated. I don't like to live in a fog! (oh my word, I keep hitting the Windows Help key...mraa!) So anyhow, we'll see how things progress. For now, I'm going to print off a paper that I've edited only once, and then plan my schedules for summer, fall, and spring (even though I don't know what exactly I need to be taking...). And then probably work on some projects and papers I have due in the coming-too-soon future...but my heart won't be in it. I won't be motivated. Oh well :)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Little things don't mean small stuff
Little things like
Snow on the perfect day for snow
shells on the beach
Someone fishing 
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
"Sometimes, Austin and (muffled, hands over mouth) call me...stupid"
"Well, sometimes people are mean." "Yea, when we're in the gym and we're playing with the balls we play with basketballs and soccer balls (mumbles and mimics ball sizes) and and and and sometimes we use soccer balls for basketballs." "Yea. Well, God still loves them even if they're mean, and God forgives them. I know you forgive them, too." "I just tell on them to the teacher."
Not lying, that was the paraphrased version of today's children's sermon conversation between Chris, who was giving the sermon (using Where the Wild Things Are!), and Logan, a 5-or-so year old who obviously had this burden on his chest!
I went to hear a fellow student preach today before going to watch Belmont and Mercer play bball in Macon. His church is a small room full of big love and lovely people, and he spoke on recognizing God in the moments of your life, that God is always speaking and we just need to be quiet enough to hear. That faith doesn't come from miracles but that miracles come from faith. The transfiguration of Jesus in Mark's gospel is interjected after 8 chapters of Jesus' miracles and healings. BAM! He's transfigured and God tells them all (oh, Peter) to shut up for a second and recognize. Jesus just asked Peter who he says He is and who other people think He is, and now God is saying, hey, this is who I know He is.
So I'm trying to recognize God in the moments, looking and listening for God in the moments. Despite my theological and life uncertainties...Anyhow, a jumble of thoughts to go with a jumble of a day. Now it's on to schoolwork and scholarship apps. Peace out cub scout.
Not lying, that was the paraphrased version of today's children's sermon conversation between Chris, who was giving the sermon (using Where the Wild Things Are!), and Logan, a 5-or-so year old who obviously had this burden on his chest!
I went to hear a fellow student preach today before going to watch Belmont and Mercer play bball in Macon. His church is a small room full of big love and lovely people, and he spoke on recognizing God in the moments of your life, that God is always speaking and we just need to be quiet enough to hear. That faith doesn't come from miracles but that miracles come from faith. The transfiguration of Jesus in Mark's gospel is interjected after 8 chapters of Jesus' miracles and healings. BAM! He's transfigured and God tells them all (oh, Peter) to shut up for a second and recognize. Jesus just asked Peter who he says He is and who other people think He is, and now God is saying, hey, this is who I know He is.
So I'm trying to recognize God in the moments, looking and listening for God in the moments. Despite my theological and life uncertainties...Anyhow, a jumble of thoughts to go with a jumble of a day. Now it's on to schoolwork and scholarship apps. Peace out cub scout.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
"You should know this crap by now!"
"...except she didn't say crap..."
I had one of the funnest (yes, Dr. Trew) conversations last night at the Self Lectures dinner thing. I sat with two pastors who had gone through seminary and PhD work together. I sat with them because us McAfee kids weren't assigned tables and they were sitting by themselves and I thought, hey, I can handle two guys. No, really - I said, "I've got the boys."
Anyhow, they happened to be the most wonderful people. One was a Seminole! We talked a little football, a little "I lived in Cawthon"/"I lived in Bryan." I didn't tell him, though, that the year he graduated - 1982 - was two years before I was born ;)
They asked me about me and I asked them about them. They were so open and genuine, and even said they'd back me financially and otherwise if I ever wanted a real nametag. We talked about what classes I was taking, which is where that quote comes in. They said Greek I and Hebrew I for them was called Baby Hebrew and Baby Greek...not because it was for beginners, but because you stayed up with it all night and it made you cry like a baby! Well, the one of 'ems Greek professor was Dutch and really difficult and he said that he asked a question one day and that was the response he got: "You should know this s*** by now!" But he phrased it politely, as quoted above :)
I found them after the last lecture of the night to say "hey, nice to meet you" and all that, but I really just wanted to get to talk to them again! They were obviously amazingly good friends, and for an hour or so that evening they'd let me join in the fun. They both told me to look them up if I needed them and that I represented McAfee well. But the best part was just getting to meet two really cool people. So, Glen Money and Jim Ramsey...this one's for you.
I had one of the funnest (yes, Dr. Trew) conversations last night at the Self Lectures dinner thing. I sat with two pastors who had gone through seminary and PhD work together. I sat with them because us McAfee kids weren't assigned tables and they were sitting by themselves and I thought, hey, I can handle two guys. No, really - I said, "I've got the boys."
Anyhow, they happened to be the most wonderful people. One was a Seminole! We talked a little football, a little "I lived in Cawthon"/"I lived in Bryan." I didn't tell him, though, that the year he graduated - 1982 - was two years before I was born ;)
They asked me about me and I asked them about them. They were so open and genuine, and even said they'd back me financially and otherwise if I ever wanted a real nametag. We talked about what classes I was taking, which is where that quote comes in. They said Greek I and Hebrew I for them was called Baby Hebrew and Baby Greek...not because it was for beginners, but because you stayed up with it all night and it made you cry like a baby! Well, the one of 'ems Greek professor was Dutch and really difficult and he said that he asked a question one day and that was the response he got: "You should know this s*** by now!" But he phrased it politely, as quoted above :)
I found them after the last lecture of the night to say "hey, nice to meet you" and all that, but I really just wanted to get to talk to them again! They were obviously amazingly good friends, and for an hour or so that evening they'd let me join in the fun. They both told me to look them up if I needed them and that I represented McAfee well. But the best part was just getting to meet two really cool people. So, Glen Money and Jim Ramsey...this one's for you.
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