Time Out with a Running Clock

I'm currently coaching my youngest son, Evan, in tackle football. The league has games setup to run on the hour every hour all day on Saturday. As such, there is no stopping the clock. You can take a time out but the clock doesn't stop. It just gives your boys a chance to catch their breath.

That's the way life is as well. You can take time outs but the clock never really stops running. We're here for a limited amount of time. Recently I have moved into a very busy season of my life. The children are all in sports/music. Johnna and I are both working full time. It's just a little much. So, I've chosen to take a time out from blogging for a while. The clock is still running. I know that. But I need to catch my breath.

Meanwhile, here are some of the more popular posts from this blog in the past couple years.
Point A to Point B People
Branding Christianity
The Unlit Way
Resurrecting Hope in Transition
Graphite vs Ink

Renovare,
J

Happy New Year

my family's traditional thanksgiving football game

Happy New Year! 09 was eventful... Quincy's in 10th, Shay's in 7th and Evan is in 3rd grade. They love soccer, basketball and football and lots of music! Johnna works and takes care of the home. Still loves the Cowboys. I can't do anything about that. Meanwhile, after a variety of jobs I've landed at Mountain Valley Church (www.mountainvalleychurch.org) here in Scottsdale, AZ. I'm the worship arts/teaching pastor. Slash is my official title. The whole family is looking forward to settling in there. God is faithful. I hope you've learned that! Peace, Jonathan

Why is God Silent?

I spoke recently on "Why would God be Quiet?"

If you're like me, you've gone through seasons where it seems as though God is distant or silent. Why would that be the case? This isn't definitive by any stretch. This is just what God is teaching me....

A - God is quiet to get my attention. A noisy God... a louder God doesn't get my attention but a quiet God might.

C - When he has my attention I realize I need to confess. It isn't the sole reason God doesn't seem to answer prayers but it's always something to look at: Is there any unconfessed issues in my life? They might be getting in the way from hearing from God.

D - As I confess I learn about my desire. You see, you can learn a lot about the light by being in the light. But you can learn a lot about the light by being in the dark as well. Namely, how bad do you want it? Are you searching after him like you would search for a hidden treasure? Often that's the only way to hear from God.

C - Ultimately this leads us all to the most important concept of all: Control. Who's going to have control in your life? God's silence is sometimes a defense against my attempts at controlling him. His silence reminds me I can't control much of anything! Sooner or later I have to surrender and give him control.

Secondary Gain

Therapists sometimes reference secondary gains when dealing with patients. A secondary gain is an unconscious or hidden motivation for a person to be ill. For example, a boy might become sick but he might get to stay home from school, watch his favorite movie and get loving attention from his mom. (all examples of secondary gains)

A person of doubt might have secondary gains as well. Maybe the secondary gain is being so sure of the absence of God that you write a book that makes a lot of money. Maybe the secondary gain is that you get to make fun of Christians. Maybe it get's you attention.

Or... maybe the secondary gain is that now that you don't believe in Him, God wont interfere with your life. Now you can live however you want, think whatever you want, do everything you want to do without conviction.

Anything is permissible if there is no God. - Dostoevsky

Of course, to be fair, faith has secondary gains as well. What might they be?

The Congo and Cell Phones

If you own a cell phone or a laptop computer then you need to watch 60 Minutes this weekend. Click here for more info... Raise Hope for Congo

Black Friday

What a crazy day, the day after Thanksgiving has turned out to be. I'm a little embarrassed by all the hoopla around it, to be honest. Plus, I've never been convinced that we save that much money on the deals. Why not think of another 10 things you'd rather be doing than shopping for things that aren't going to satisfy anyone anyhow?

Quiet

I haven't written much lately. Sorry. Sometimes I just get tired of hearing myself.