Tuesday, January 26, 2010

A New Perspective


 A couple days ago I was in my reading/thinking spot (bathroom) and it suddenly dawned on me that I had it all wrong with my blog.  In my attempt to create a blog name that would remind me to think about Jesus, I instead took the title literally and began to lose focus on the message of Christ.  My blog became an 2-3 hour ordeal in which I would stay up until 2:00 in the morning typing away, when I should have been asleep. 

As you can probably tell, I figured this out in the middle part of last year and began to spend less time on the computer and more time asleep or with my family (depending upon the time of the day).  Now don't get me wrong it was not an obsession, but I definetly found myself having a sense of pride in what I had typed. 

Perhaps I should tell you why I started the blog.  A few years ago, I was muddling along in life.  Trying to do the right things and thinking that one day I would get more serious about God and learning more about Him.  Well, I went on a little 2-3 day church retreat and quickly realized that my priorities in life were way out of whack.  It really left quite an impression on me. One of the strongest memories I have from the retreat is a beautiful song that was sung to the men in my retreat.  It was sung to us by men and women who over several years had each attended the very same retreat.  Most I did not know, but some were there specifically to support me and to my surprise some were there to provide support that I did not deserve.

The song went like this...
Jesus
Jesus
Let me tell you how I feel
You have given me your Spirit
I love you so.

It is a memory that I could type all night about, but let's just say that I will remember it forever.

That song was my new theme song.  I sang it to myself all of the time.  My little girls soon new the song and they were singing all of the time.  I often would sing it to get myself focused on where my mind should be.
Unfortunately, I was supposed to be telling Jesus how I felt.  I don't need a computer to do that.  In fact, a computer makes it more difficult.

Perhaps I had a few good things to say and perhaps it was a bit therapeutic to reminisce about my frequent periods of idiotic (yet hu'man') behavior.  But as I sat thinking, I realized that I have much to learn and many to learn it from. 

So I came up with an idea.  I will continue to tell Jesus how I feel, but I would like for you to tell me and anyone else who stumbles on to this page, how YOU feel.  Now it is a bit scary to think about putting your thoughts out in the open for others to read.  But I can assure you that not many people read this blog.  In fact, I may be the only one reading this for quite some time.  My wife might read it, too. 

Let's lay some ground rules. 
1.  Voice your opinions and thoughts without degrading another person or group of people. 
2.  Be factual when applicable.
3.  Pray before you write something.
4.  Be real.

That's pretty easy.  I will not allow anything on my blog that I would not be comfortable reading to my mom or mother-in-law (they might be the only ones reading this), so use your comments to give others something to think about that they might not have considered otherwise.  Feel free to make your comments anonymous.

Let's kick this off with something intriguing...OK, here it is...(actually I stole this from someone)...

IS THE UNITED STATES A CHRISTIAN NATION NOW and WAS IT EVER A CHRISTIAN NATION?  BY THE WAY, WHAT EXACTLY IS A CHRISTIAN NATION? 

Why do I ask this question?  As I am trying to teach my girls about what is right and wrong, I am reminded of cultural advances our country has made that I am pretty embarassed had to be made in the first place.  Not because they are not necessary, but because it is appalling the way people have been treated by our country in the past. 

I hope you enjoy the new format.
Love,

Johnny