The difficulty I face is that I do not have an 'across the board' sort of standard. I rate others in a very different manner than myself. I have no questions about the worth of others. I find value in all people. I really cannot bring to mind a time that I thought "That person is worthless." I have met many struggling, hurting, lost, and confused people. People with undesirable traits, people who have made wrong choices, people who are so mired in their own mess that hope has been abandoned. I know them, because I have been there with them. Even so, I see potential. I feel their pain, know they have a soul, understand they are searching (many in the dark with no light to speak of). Every person has worth. They are worthy of time, help, consideration, and above all love. Seeing people who are scorned and mocked gives me great sadness. I feel pain for people who fight themselves, who inflict pain on their own selves.
We are living in an incredibly shallow time, particularly in this nation. The worth of an individual is often determined and rated according to their job, the total in their bank account, the clothing they wear, the pastimes they participate in, past actions, or simply the way they walk, talk and interact. This is so sad. Many people are written off, given very little interest or time, or even mocked and incorrectly judged due to these insignificant characteristics. Many first hand scenarios jump to mind.
My motivation is not to be able to accurately identify all the ways and reasons a person's self worth may be warped, skewed or destroyed. I simply wish to encourage everyone to look upon others with kindness and compassion, and seek out ways to edify the people in your life. We all have the opportunity to live lives of love, grace, and dignity, and to stand up for those who are over looked and forgotten. I pray that I will have strength and the courage of my convictions to reach out to the people I meet. Will you?
I apologize for the randomness present in this post, I had an overflow of things to say, but a desire to be concise.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Self Worth: A Theme
I have encountered a theme in my life as of late. The theme: the search to understand and grasp the true meaning and realization of self worth. This is confusing and difficult for me.
A while back I was penning my ruminations on the topic. I initially posed the question: What gives a person worth? I wonder how people are rated, if you will. What process does the average person go through to determine the value of any other given individual? Or their own self?
More recently I felt led to relisten to Malcolm Smith teaching about The Search for Self Worth. This is an incredible seminar recording that I obtained during a program called The Journey.
Then this morning the sermon at church was entitled: The Worth of a Person.
I think Someone may be trying to tell me something. Praying to keep an open heart and vigilant mind.
A while back I was penning my ruminations on the topic. I initially posed the question: What gives a person worth? I wonder how people are rated, if you will. What process does the average person go through to determine the value of any other given individual? Or their own self?
More recently I felt led to relisten to Malcolm Smith teaching about The Search for Self Worth. This is an incredible seminar recording that I obtained during a program called The Journey.
Then this morning the sermon at church was entitled: The Worth of a Person.
I think Someone may be trying to tell me something. Praying to keep an open heart and vigilant mind.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
To Everything...
Seasons are changing. Seasons around me. Seasons within me. With varied paces the seasons pass by, bringing opportunities and challenges alike. With renewed anticipation I plan to prepare for the floods of blessings, be they blatant or in disguise, that await on the horizon.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Thoughts on Words: A Series (maybe)
Words can do many things. They can build, and destroy. Words can be spoken out of love or hate. They can be accepted with pleasure or bitterness. I have been pondering the innumerable and endless ways word are offered and received. The following thoughts are on how we can receive and sort through the things people say to us.
The ties to family, be them positive or negative, usually mean that their words bear a heavier weight than words from friends or acquaintances. We tend to take what our family says with us, even if it hurts. Even if it is harmful. Even if it is degrading and scornful. Sometimes words are meant to inflict injury, and others cause pain unintentionally. I want to suggest something: perhaps it is not all about how the words were intended. Some relationships are what they are, and they may never change. I think that, even in a wary or resented relationship, we can glean the positive, and discard the waste. Do not concern yourself with others thoughts on you, your life, your choices. They may say hurtful things, trying to prod you in the direction of a path they think you should take. Throw away the hurt. Try to gather an edifying morsel from the words. If someone tells you that you should be doing something 'better' with your life, yet you know you are in the best place for the time, rest in the peace that you are where you should be and that you contain amazing potential that others can easily see. You are where you belong. Relish what you have, even if is little. If you are using what you have to honor God, you are a pleasing offering in His eyes; and His are the only eyes that matter.
This may be an extremely cheesy analogy, but: Be like the sword of Gryffindor. In Harry Potter, the sword of Gryffindor is a magical goblin made weapon. It is, as far as anyone can tell, indestructible and uncontainable. The sword may be in one place then vanish, only to turn up where it is most needed. The quality I most admired about it is that it 'only takes in that which makes it stronger.' The sword may be wielded against anything, but when it comes into contact with a quality that would cause it to have a wider, more useful application, it absorbs that ability. Try to apply that concept, consciously make an effort to take in that which will make you stronger, and make peace with and walk away from the rest.
I am trying to apply this practice in my own life, and felt like it may be encouraging to someone else as well. I hope so.
The ties to family, be them positive or negative, usually mean that their words bear a heavier weight than words from friends or acquaintances. We tend to take what our family says with us, even if it hurts. Even if it is harmful. Even if it is degrading and scornful. Sometimes words are meant to inflict injury, and others cause pain unintentionally. I want to suggest something: perhaps it is not all about how the words were intended. Some relationships are what they are, and they may never change. I think that, even in a wary or resented relationship, we can glean the positive, and discard the waste. Do not concern yourself with others thoughts on you, your life, your choices. They may say hurtful things, trying to prod you in the direction of a path they think you should take. Throw away the hurt. Try to gather an edifying morsel from the words. If someone tells you that you should be doing something 'better' with your life, yet you know you are in the best place for the time, rest in the peace that you are where you should be and that you contain amazing potential that others can easily see. You are where you belong. Relish what you have, even if is little. If you are using what you have to honor God, you are a pleasing offering in His eyes; and His are the only eyes that matter.
This may be an extremely cheesy analogy, but: Be like the sword of Gryffindor. In Harry Potter, the sword of Gryffindor is a magical goblin made weapon. It is, as far as anyone can tell, indestructible and uncontainable. The sword may be in one place then vanish, only to turn up where it is most needed. The quality I most admired about it is that it 'only takes in that which makes it stronger.' The sword may be wielded against anything, but when it comes into contact with a quality that would cause it to have a wider, more useful application, it absorbs that ability. Try to apply that concept, consciously make an effort to take in that which will make you stronger, and make peace with and walk away from the rest.
I am trying to apply this practice in my own life, and felt like it may be encouraging to someone else as well. I hope so.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
A Look Again
A life apart, in the midst of life
A conversation alone. with friends.
Routine continues, everything disrupted.
Plans, formed dreams.
Nothing accomplished.
All continues.
Fantastical escape,
peace and excitement.
Clinging to the night as dawn approaches.
To savor, or abandon?
Accept or destroy?
Make peace, continue.
Attempting, stand by.
Foolish wishing,
wisdom wanting,
seeking amendments and joy.
Patience waning, growing
mirrored by hope.
Desire, like phoenix
extinguished, reborn.
Bane of existence,
yearned for in deep.
Delighted by prospect,
clouded by sleep.
Lost? Even true?
Blessings will come.
Hope grasping, remains.
A conversation alone. with friends.
Routine continues, everything disrupted.
Plans, formed dreams.
Nothing accomplished.
All continues.
Fantastical escape,
peace and excitement.
Clinging to the night as dawn approaches.
To savor, or abandon?
Accept or destroy?
Make peace, continue.
Attempting, stand by.
Foolish wishing,
wisdom wanting,
seeking amendments and joy.
Patience waning, growing
mirrored by hope.
Desire, like phoenix
extinguished, reborn.
Bane of existence,
yearned for in deep.
Delighted by prospect,
clouded by sleep.
Lost? Even true?
Blessings will come.
Hope grasping, remains.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Wonderings from the Word
I am no scholar. I have no answers. In fact, I accumulate more questions on a daily basis. I look around for answers, yet they elude me as collect additional wonderings. So here for your enjoyment are this mornings wonderings from the Word!
Genesis offers us many family trees. As I wandered around in these woods, I met Enoch. Genesis 5:21-24 tells us about Enoch: When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
I find these verses intriguing for a couple of reasons. One of them is the fact that he lived to be 365 years old. That is a long time, yet only a fraction of the years the other men listed lived. A sampling of the general ages in the surrounding passages are as follows: 930, 912, 905, 910, 895, 962, 969, and777. Interesting. Why did these other men live so much longer than Enoch? The second point which caught my attention was the statements about Enoch's walk with the Lord. Where the other men "lived" X amount of years, Enoch is said to have 'walked with God'. The other men simply "died" at the end of their years, yet Enoch 'was no more, because God took him away'. How did Enoch live his life, and what can I do to demonstrate the same faithfulness in my relationship with the Father?
Genesis 6:5-7 illustrates the regret and grief of God. How is it that the omniscient Lord of all creation comes to a point of regret? Humans had become incredibly wicked, and I imagine they practices little or no restraint. They indulged in their every whim. The definition of indulge is: to give free reign to; to take unrestrained pleasure in; to yield to the desire of. The people no longer submitted to the reign of God, they took no pleasure in His delights nor did they yield to His desires. Humans were and remain wicked. Due to this wickedness, God decides to destroy all life on the earth. All life. Including the animals. This is interesting, and something I think that is often overlooked. All creatures were condemned to death due to the evil of man. All actions have consequences. Delightful, and terrible. We must be cautious, for everything we do affects countless lives. Directly or indirectly. Guilty or innocent. In verse 9 it is recorded that Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.How did Noah remain righteous and blameless among the evil that surrounded him? Through Noah's faithful, righteous life he convinced a regretful God that humanity, as wicked as they had become, had something worth preserving. How did he accomplish this? What practices can we adopt in our own culture of evil indulgences that will keep us faithful to God alone, and cultivate lives of righteousness that could inspire transformation among the people that we encounter?
Up until Genesis 11 humans were generally united, and in chapter 11 they united to build a tower to the heavens. In verses 5-8 the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the men were building. The Lord said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other." Contained within each human is a piece of knowledge, and aspect of the whole, which when placed together reveals power. The barrier of language is perhaps a shield to protect us from our own tainted goals. When united with God at last under His absolute rule, we will unleash an incredible power for His glory alone.
These are a few of today's musings, feel free to comment, discuss, or provide guidance as you see fit.
Genesis offers us many family trees. As I wandered around in these woods, I met Enoch. Genesis 5:21-24 tells us about Enoch: When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
I find these verses intriguing for a couple of reasons. One of them is the fact that he lived to be 365 years old. That is a long time, yet only a fraction of the years the other men listed lived. A sampling of the general ages in the surrounding passages are as follows: 930, 912, 905, 910, 895, 962, 969, and777. Interesting. Why did these other men live so much longer than Enoch? The second point which caught my attention was the statements about Enoch's walk with the Lord. Where the other men "lived" X amount of years, Enoch is said to have 'walked with God'. The other men simply "died" at the end of their years, yet Enoch 'was no more, because God took him away'. How did Enoch live his life, and what can I do to demonstrate the same faithfulness in my relationship with the Father?
Genesis 6:5-7 illustrates the regret and grief of God. How is it that the omniscient Lord of all creation comes to a point of regret? Humans had become incredibly wicked, and I imagine they practices little or no restraint. They indulged in their every whim. The definition of indulge is: to give free reign to; to take unrestrained pleasure in; to yield to the desire of. The people no longer submitted to the reign of God, they took no pleasure in His delights nor did they yield to His desires. Humans were and remain wicked. Due to this wickedness, God decides to destroy all life on the earth. All life. Including the animals. This is interesting, and something I think that is often overlooked. All creatures were condemned to death due to the evil of man. All actions have consequences. Delightful, and terrible. We must be cautious, for everything we do affects countless lives. Directly or indirectly. Guilty or innocent. In verse 9 it is recorded that Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.How did Noah remain righteous and blameless among the evil that surrounded him? Through Noah's faithful, righteous life he convinced a regretful God that humanity, as wicked as they had become, had something worth preserving. How did he accomplish this? What practices can we adopt in our own culture of evil indulgences that will keep us faithful to God alone, and cultivate lives of righteousness that could inspire transformation among the people that we encounter?
Up until Genesis 11 humans were generally united, and in chapter 11 they united to build a tower to the heavens. In verses 5-8 the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the men were building. The Lord said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other." Contained within each human is a piece of knowledge, and aspect of the whole, which when placed together reveals power. The barrier of language is perhaps a shield to protect us from our own tainted goals. When united with God at last under His absolute rule, we will unleash an incredible power for His glory alone.
These are a few of today's musings, feel free to comment, discuss, or provide guidance as you see fit.
Through the Looking Glass
While dreams mesmerize my wandering mind, my eyes are drawn to see
the light as it catches the sparkling patches of crystalline frost around me.
I think about life, about death, about life
I ponder on this, and what is and what could
and what is, may, never, and possibly be...
Cool grass as it gives under foot in the sun, the sounds of nature creating sweet song,
Peace tumbling in on a branch swaying by, and joy approaching on a birds journey long.
Deep sigh of contentment, snuggling in amongst blanket and body by embers alight,
Learn and pretend, just to enjoy, the heavenly host twinkling so bright.
So tantalizing are words on pages, the feel and the smell,
as rich as they are, can hardly compare to the delightful stories they tell.
Pair all the assets they bear with lips and with breath and with air,
sit back and enjoy the resulting tale, delivered with passionate care.
the light as it catches the sparkling patches of crystalline frost around me.
I think about life, about death, about life
I ponder on this, and what is and what could
and what is, may, never, and possibly be...
Cool grass as it gives under foot in the sun, the sounds of nature creating sweet song,
Peace tumbling in on a branch swaying by, and joy approaching on a birds journey long.
Deep sigh of contentment, snuggling in amongst blanket and body by embers alight,
Learn and pretend, just to enjoy, the heavenly host twinkling so bright.
So tantalizing are words on pages, the feel and the smell,
as rich as they are, can hardly compare to the delightful stories they tell.
Pair all the assets they bear with lips and with breath and with air,
sit back and enjoy the resulting tale, delivered with passionate care.
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