I am always awe-struck by the hand of God working in and around me. The affirmation of God being present in my life and the life of Seigle is wonderous to behold. I had a conversation with a friend this evening, and as we shared we talked about "how to bring people into the presence of God". As we conversed, we realized that the how was not the real question, but the "why". Why do we minister? Why do we preach? Why do we sing? We realized that people come with empty vessels waiting for a glimpse of the holy, and anything that distracts from that needs to be quickly eradicated so that it doesn't fester.
As I was replaying another conversation I had with a collegue, I was reminded that nothing must come before my love for God. And yet the integrity of loving God and being with God, falls short.
I want intimacy with God, and yet, I tend to put even ministry with God's people before intimacy with God. And so while I see God's hand I desire to see more of God's heart.I see the movement of God, and yet I want to see more of God.
I realize that my relationship with God is really the only "Why" for me.
Thanks be to God.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Service before Self
Hey, what's up! Everything is Beastie! In other words, all is well.
This is my upcoming military service (extended) weekend. We actually have 4 days of service this month. I often think of my serving my country. I wonder, if I am doing a good job. I have never asked anyone, but I want to "feel" good about what I do. don't we all?
But then I recognized that it's not about me. there is no amount of recognition, rank or residual income that can replace life or time away from family. So why do I do this?
I will tell you, the first reason I joined the Air Guard was to become a lean, mean, disciplined machine. Well, that was still for me.
Then I decided that the uniform was hot, and I looked good in it, and again, that was for me.
I think there is a pattern. We do most things for ourselves, in the name of doing things for others.
And so I searched....
I searched more....
I am still searching....
I now know that my real self is totally, unapologetically about others.
However my selfish manifested, understudy (the actress that loves to take the stage) is all about me.
I also know and believe tha when I really put service before self, I am not left out.
What this means, is quite simple. If I really consider my thoughts, actions and deeds and align that with motivation, I will more than likely be able to make great choices.
This is why I am in the Air Guard. My people, the ones I have been blessed to nurture love and support, need a chaplain who will acknowledge,understand, and remain uncomprised by status,recognition or persuation. I grew up with a motto of Hosea Williams who ran under the guise "unbossed and unbought". This simply meant his morals, ethics or sense of righteousness was not up for sale, rent or able to be bartered.
People who serve need a leader who serves, not them, but the cause of making that organization great and of value.
People who serve need a leader who reminds them of their serve, and their greatness.
People who serve need a leader who cares about the whole, not just part, as well as a part not only the whole.
I love thy kingdom Lord!
And so I AM,
expectant and grateful!
This is my upcoming military service (extended) weekend. We actually have 4 days of service this month. I often think of my serving my country. I wonder, if I am doing a good job. I have never asked anyone, but I want to "feel" good about what I do. don't we all?
But then I recognized that it's not about me. there is no amount of recognition, rank or residual income that can replace life or time away from family. So why do I do this?
I will tell you, the first reason I joined the Air Guard was to become a lean, mean, disciplined machine. Well, that was still for me.
Then I decided that the uniform was hot, and I looked good in it, and again, that was for me.
I think there is a pattern. We do most things for ourselves, in the name of doing things for others.
And so I searched....
I searched more....
I am still searching....
I now know that my real self is totally, unapologetically about others.
However my selfish manifested, understudy (the actress that loves to take the stage) is all about me.
I also know and believe tha when I really put service before self, I am not left out.
What this means, is quite simple. If I really consider my thoughts, actions and deeds and align that with motivation, I will more than likely be able to make great choices.
This is why I am in the Air Guard. My people, the ones I have been blessed to nurture love and support, need a chaplain who will acknowledge,understand, and remain uncomprised by status,recognition or persuation. I grew up with a motto of Hosea Williams who ran under the guise "unbossed and unbought". This simply meant his morals, ethics or sense of righteousness was not up for sale, rent or able to be bartered.
People who serve need a leader who serves, not them, but the cause of making that organization great and of value.
People who serve need a leader who reminds them of their serve, and their greatness.
People who serve need a leader who cares about the whole, not just part, as well as a part not only the whole.
I love thy kingdom Lord!
And so I AM,
expectant and grateful!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Collard greens with hamhock and tofu
It's Monday night, and I had a long evening. Teaching a great class, prayer is happening, and yet there is still a disconnect. You know if you like collard greens with ham hock, you probably don't like tofu. And the opposite probably applies. Perhaps the question is what need to be take out or what needs to be added.
I have had tofu and it's good, and I have had collard greens cooked with ham hock and it's good.
Personal choice really impacts most of what we do.
Is that the way Jesus lines things up. "I can do your work God, if it lines up with my personal taste and desire." Has it boiled down to that?
How can collards and tofu merge as one.
This might sound weird but, if you saute tofu in a garlic seasoning and cook your collards in a non meat broth like vegetable, what you have is a dish that has good strong seasoning and a veggie that has the essence of flavor rejoicing inside your mouth.
Of times the CHURCH is like that, it looks like we don't belong together, because we haven't figured out a way to coexist. Collards and Tofu are like cookies and mustard until you figure our why both are needed.
When we come into this world we are very dependent. At a CERTAIN age of maturity we either figure out or are told that we are old enough to live on our own makes us independent.
But God's word says that we are interdependent. My humanity is inextricably woven into yours. Therefore you were created for the common good of all. No kidding.
There is power in serving collards and tofu. You gotta trust me.
PF
I have had tofu and it's good, and I have had collard greens cooked with ham hock and it's good.
Personal choice really impacts most of what we do.
Is that the way Jesus lines things up. "I can do your work God, if it lines up with my personal taste and desire." Has it boiled down to that?
How can collards and tofu merge as one.
This might sound weird but, if you saute tofu in a garlic seasoning and cook your collards in a non meat broth like vegetable, what you have is a dish that has good strong seasoning and a veggie that has the essence of flavor rejoicing inside your mouth.
Of times the CHURCH is like that, it looks like we don't belong together, because we haven't figured out a way to coexist. Collards and Tofu are like cookies and mustard until you figure our why both are needed.
When we come into this world we are very dependent. At a CERTAIN age of maturity we either figure out or are told that we are old enough to live on our own makes us independent.
But God's word says that we are interdependent. My humanity is inextricably woven into yours. Therefore you were created for the common good of all. No kidding.
There is power in serving collards and tofu. You gotta trust me.
PF
Sunday, February 1, 2009
I am who I become in God's eyes!
I have thought a lot about how to put ideas, musings and other thougths about life, joy, peace, and what it means to ultimately be led by the Sovereign One. I decided to blog!!! That's it blogging. So how do I blog? To blog or not to blog, that is the question? Ok, I will blog!
What do I name my blog?
I wanted to sound cool, so I listened carefully to one of the youth from my church use the term "beastie". I found it that it is a general term for "good" or "great". But I'm not 15 anymore so I don't think that I can pull off naming my blog beastie. And so I began to pursue the right name for what I wanted to accomplish.
I consider myself a "transformerphile". A transformerphile, according to me, means one who see's the best in others, and works toward introducing people to their true selves. And so I searched my mind and thoughts, and decided that I should call someone and I did.
This is how I got the title to my first Blog. I am who I become in God's eyes!
Thank you LaTonya Marble. She inspires me.
Ok, well the Super bowl is on, and I am a Steeler's fan since Franco Harris, so I will leave you with this thought.
Don't let other folks tell you who you are, or what you will be. Rather, you are who You become in God's eyes.
Think about it!
PF
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