I felt that this was necessary in light of a previous post that got some folks riled up.
This blog is a blog. Blogs as blogs go are peoples opinions, just as books are the way authors share opinions, and orators share their opinions via vocal communication.
This blog is MY own personal opinion. The opinions expressed in this blog are not necessarily the opinions of anyone I know or associate with but yet at the same time the folks I associate with may agree with them and support them. Nevertheless, these are my opinions.
My opinions expressed herein are based on hours of studying Gods word, and pondering its application to my life.
I tend to write this blog with an authoritative tone, but that is not because I have figured it out, or have the corner on truth, but because I am expressing my opinion as God has revealed His word to me personally. This leaves way for you to have your personal assumptions and me to have mine. That also means that if you and I disagree, on a non-sin issue, I have no room to judge you, and you have no room to judge me either.
Furthermore this lays a large burden on YOU the reader. As with anything you read or hear, you cannot base it solely on the perceived character of the person expressing his view. You must compare what he has to say with God's word and go from there.
My intent of this Blog is not to be the Holy Spirit, but to share how God is moulding me more and more like His Son. As I said before, my opinions won't always be right, but I will always base my opinions on Scripture, and would expect that if you differ from my opinion that your opinions also be based on Scripture not cultural norms, ecclesiastical, or familial expectations.
My only desire is to share with you what God has laid on my heart. There will be times where you don't agree and that is fine. There will be times when we do agree. That's great! But all that said, this blog is my opinion of how God expects me to live. If this Blog can benefit you, I ask you to read it. If you don't care for it, don't waste your time, and I won't waste yours.
The Radical Life is about sharing what God has laid on your heart, not tiptoeing around sensitive issues. As Christians we must be bold, and willing to share what God has shown us, ensuring that we don't play the role of the Holy Spirit. It isn't our job. Allowing God to do what He does, is a critical part of living the Radical Life.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
When the Whole World is Against You
WOW It has been a while! It has been just over a month since I last posted.
A lot has happened since then. Life certainly takes you for twists and turns that you don't expect. Its not like it was one thing, rather a conglomeration of garbage that just kept piling up.
Last month Elissa was starting her transition to working with me full time and quitting her job. Her scheduled end date was right around Thanksgiving which was also the busy time of the month for my job. This coupled with Elissa's vehicle that broke down 2 hours from home at 4pm the night before Thanksgiving and the fact that we need two vehicles for work compounded the issues. A week later my car had to get fixed and we weren't planning on that. A few weeks later we ended up having to put winter tires on my car because my others were bald. Around 2 weeks ago we had a dog get sick, and had to send her to the vet to eventually put her down. Put that on top of sickness and various other Christmas activities, and it certainly would seem like the entire world is against you.
All in all, I think we spent around $4000 in unexpected expenses last month, so that bit into the savings and bummed us out quite a bit. Nothing seemed to go right at all. We just couldn't get ahead.
Last night as I was driving back from Michigan from a friends wedding, I had a dawning of realization. "Its not about you."
While the issues did focus around me, for some reason God had a plan and a purpose. The verse that kept coming to my mind was Isaiah 55:8 where it says, ""For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD."
How many times do we think that Gods way should be our way. We complain that God isn't working everything out for our good.
The fact is that God doesn't have to stoop to our whims. It is that simple. Life isn't about us. Its about Him.
I don't know why Elissa and I had such a financially and emotionally draining month, but I know that for some reason it is for God's glory.
Living the radical life is about waiting on God and allowing him to work and orchestrate life, and realizing that even the bad things happen for a purpose. Only when we embrace that thought can we truly live a Radical Life.
A lot has happened since then. Life certainly takes you for twists and turns that you don't expect. Its not like it was one thing, rather a conglomeration of garbage that just kept piling up.
Last month Elissa was starting her transition to working with me full time and quitting her job. Her scheduled end date was right around Thanksgiving which was also the busy time of the month for my job. This coupled with Elissa's vehicle that broke down 2 hours from home at 4pm the night before Thanksgiving and the fact that we need two vehicles for work compounded the issues. A week later my car had to get fixed and we weren't planning on that. A few weeks later we ended up having to put winter tires on my car because my others were bald. Around 2 weeks ago we had a dog get sick, and had to send her to the vet to eventually put her down. Put that on top of sickness and various other Christmas activities, and it certainly would seem like the entire world is against you.
All in all, I think we spent around $4000 in unexpected expenses last month, so that bit into the savings and bummed us out quite a bit. Nothing seemed to go right at all. We just couldn't get ahead.
Last night as I was driving back from Michigan from a friends wedding, I had a dawning of realization. "Its not about you."
While the issues did focus around me, for some reason God had a plan and a purpose. The verse that kept coming to my mind was Isaiah 55:8 where it says, ""For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD."
How many times do we think that Gods way should be our way. We complain that God isn't working everything out for our good.
The fact is that God doesn't have to stoop to our whims. It is that simple. Life isn't about us. Its about Him.
I don't know why Elissa and I had such a financially and emotionally draining month, but I know that for some reason it is for God's glory.
Living the radical life is about waiting on God and allowing him to work and orchestrate life, and realizing that even the bad things happen for a purpose. Only when we embrace that thought can we truly live a Radical Life.
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