1 in 4 wins

I have never won the lottery.  The main reason is because I haven't bought a ticket since I bought some for my grandpa when I was in middle school.  He didn't win on one ticket and it seemed all too expensive.  It may be because of this, but I do spend a year's worth of money at McDonald's during the Monopoly game.  This year it paid off.  After all, one in four wins.

We didn't win the million, the car, or even the video game system.  Instead, Nikki and I won the two most valuable breakfast sandwiches known to man.

We cashed them in last Friday at a McDonald's in St. Matthews.  While we were sitting there I saw a guy with his Bible out.  I wanted to talk to him, but I figured that I am weird and it was the biscuit talking.  I thought I would finish and then maybe get up.  Then, I looked to the other side and saw two more guys with their Bibles out.  I had to see what was going on.  Well, the first guy, Brandon, went to say hi to the other two.  I saw my window and made Nikki quickly slam her sandwich so we could walk by them on our way out.  Brandon was talking to a lady, so I just stood there awkwardly until they were done. I'm sure I looked odd, but I'm used to that.  Once that conversation ended Nikki and I got to know Brandon as well as Scott and Drew.  We talked for a little while and left so encouraged by the faith of these men.

Before McDonald's I was in a hurry and we weren't even supposed to be in St. Matthews.  It was only because I forgot what I needed that Nikki met me at Heine Brothers and we headed out together.  Brandon was there on accident.  Scott and Drew just started meeting the week before.  It's not like all of the world changed and we were able to give free McMuffins to all the homeless downtown, but it was a beautiful reminder that God has gifts for us in the middle of our day.  I have lived deeply encouraged for a week off of that "chance" meeting.  I have rarely been more thankful that I don't mind standing awkwardly waiting to say hi to someone God may have me meet.  It feels like 75% of the time I feel like a fool, but the rest of the times make it worth while.

I'm not trying to be too cheesy, but I will be anyways.  I pray that my family and yours have the courage to feel odd as we courageously follow what God has in front of us.  May He guide your steps, even if they lead you to McDonald's.  I pray we become known as people who go where He leads.

Stoplights

I haven't figured it out yet, but on certain days in Louisville organizations can take donations at stoplights. It is very strange and I am certain I will accidentally hit one of the workers some day. The worst part about hitting them is not that they would be hit by a Jeep, but that I would feel like subconsciously I didn't like their cause. That would make me feel bad, and probably donate.

On Saturday Carter and I were driving to UK. On the way we passed two different intersections with donation-takers. The first one was for the humane society. These poor dogs and cats need homes and people were dumping money in the buckets. It looked like they were buying rare hamsters with the amounts they were giving. In fact, I almost missed the light because two cars in front of me was trying to give so much. Generous people, seriously! I have a game to go to!

The next intersection was for a homeless shelter. I'm not lying, people were rolling up their windows. I have never seen drivers avoid eye contact. Not one person gave. It was crazy. People were acting like they would catch homelessness by giving.

Why do we care about the puppies but not the people? It was a pretty odd moment. I still argue that we, as people, are an odd breed.

By the way- even though UK won, I still like U of L!

Practice what we sing

Just the other day I was riding around with my little Ana in the car. We had a worship cd on and Ana was in the back singing away. I started listening to the words again and I was reminded how much truth is packed into many of the songs we sing. I can't help but think, "what would we look like if we lived what we sing?"

It's amazing how we can worship in the car to a cd full of truth about who God is and who we are in light of Him, and then hop out and live different. I know there are little pathways in the brain and I am wondering how God connects the two areas. What would I look like if my life reflected my favorite songs? (Not the 90's classics like "The End of the Road." More like Chris McClarney or Chris Tomlin songs.)

I cannot wait for the day when all that we know and believe in theory comes out of our lives in reality. Instead of knowing God should be first, we live with Him first. Instead of saying we trust Him, truly trusting Him. Instead of caring as we pass by someone, actually stopping and seeing the people in front of us. The day that this happens will change the world. Maybe that day is today.

Long absent, possible return

There are some things that I just love the idea of but don't necessarily want to work towards. I wish I could wake up in shape, learn a language in my sleep and become a natural writer by blinking. None of those things happen, but are all worth pursuing. With that said, at least today I will blog again.

I meet with this group of guys on Fridays. They are great guys that I have met with for just over a year. Today was interesting. I feel like we had the exact conversation a year ago. I even remember some comments being the same. I remember hearing "everyone is worn out", "time is going to fast", and "those ladies took our table." It made me realize, I really shouldn't act surprised by life any longer. As long as I can remember, some people have felt worn out. Scripture teaches that is a reality. It also teaches that when we are weary God will be our strength.

I am beginning to wonder what would happen if I shifted the attention away from weariness and towards God's provision instead. What would it look like to look to Him in practice instead of theory? What if we didn't accept life staying the same, and also stopped pretending we can change ourselves?

It's work to relearn life. I think it is worth the effort to trust God to bring all that He says He provides. This isn't just money. This is peace, hope and all of the rest. Here's to relearning to trust Him...again.

The Pursuit of God

I am reading through "The Pursuit of God" by Tozer and there is a quote that stood out strong to me this morning. A. W. Tozer is writing about how our great honor and joy is in seeking after God. It is not adding things to our pursuit, but letting God's presence alone being our destination that we wake aiming for. Here's what he wrote.

"How tragic that we in this dark day have had our seeking done for us by our teachers. Everything is made to center upon the initial act of 'accepting' Christ and we are not expected thereafter to crave any further revelation of God to our souls."

He wrote this some sixty years ago, but I believe it is true today. I get to sit under some great teaching, yet it would be so easy to let the professionals hunger after God for me. Instead, the words of our pastors should serve like the fragrance you smell as you come in at the end of a long day to a dinner prepared for you. That fragrance wakes a desire to go and experience all that is before you. I believe the table is set and we can now taste and see.

Keller

A few months ago I read a great book by Timothy Keller called Kings Cross. Here's one of his quotes that I keep thinking about.

"Be so sacrificially loving that the people around you, who don't believe what you believe, will soon be unable to imagine the place without you."

I want this to be true of me. I want this to be true of my wife and my kids. I pray that what we believe leaks out of our smiles, no matter the circumstances. A few years ago Nikki and I decided to live what we believe: that our lives are not our own. I had no clue that it would mean all that followed, but I would take this life again. I don't want to waste a day. I also don't want to speed past a moment. I guess that keeps us dependent on Him to transform our lives into something beautiful that points to Him.

After a long break....

I talked with a few friends this weekend who were looking here for both of my wise words.  I told Jim I was start posting things, so here we go!  Here is my list of top five "Surprisingly Frightening Animals."
5.  Wisconsin cows.  Small, confined homes where the beasts don't look particularly smart.  They could fall on you, I am sure.  I saw Tommy Boy with the cow tipping.  If they fall that easy, I don't want to be under one.
4.  Addis dogs.  I was bit by one in February when I was in Ethiopia.  It's true, ask CJ.  Anyways, it didn't break skin, but if it did I am sure that I would be in some Austrian hospital still.  They are part dog, part nightmare.
3.  Louisville ground hogs.  They travel in packs and think that cars should move for them.  We once didn't go in a shoe store because a few were hanging out in front of the store.  Why there isn't a sports team named after these intimidating beasts is a mystery to me.
2.  Awassa birds.  There are these birds the size of horses in Awassa.  No one knows what I am talking about, but they are big enough for Wisconsin cows to ride on the back of them.  They are like Ford Pintos with wings.  Very frightening.
1.  Any goat.  I'm not convinced they were created before the fall.  They eat your clothes and poop Dippin Dots.  I don't understand the beasts.  I would rather meet a moose than a goat.

note: The hyena is not listed on this list because it is not surprisingly frightening.  They are just straight scary.

There you go.  I'll talk to y'all soon!