Saturday, April 23, 2005

Discovering the Joy of Process

Here are more notes from a meeting I recently attended. For me, the "joy of process" is that God's heart is that I be the most ready I can be for His plan. The process isn't the event. The process is merely the working to ready me for the events of God.

Pruning - John 15:1-2 - The action of the Father by which the means of former fruit bearing is cut away in order to make way for a new season of fruitfulness. This confronts of tendency to seek to protect past systems or methodologies in order to unveil the Creator's new ways and workings.

Refining - Mal. 3:3 - The process whereby "dross" is removed. Dross is the imbedded material that reduces the pruity and value of the silver.

Chaff - Luke 3:17 - The external husk that protects the head of wheat during its growth season; it must be crushed and removed. Ask - "Lord, what of the external needs to be crushed in order to give place to the entry of Your Kingdom with power?"

Circumcision - Col. 2: 11 - It is God's way of saying, surplus flesh unnecessary to my reproductive process through Your life must be surgically removed. The flesh must be dealt with to release new covenant life and blessing.

The flooding of the riverbed - John 7:3 7-39 - Allow the fountain of the Holy Spirit's overflow to wash away debris and to bring refreshing.

In the days ahead there will be more discussion. I'll look forward to hearing what other might offer around these thoughts too.

My Walk With God

In a meeting recently, I was challenged to consider each of these points in my own personal walk with God.

1. Being preceeds doing.

2. We never rise above what we criticize.

3. Integrity is breached when the slightest slice is taken off the whole loaf.

4. Correct yourself at the slightest tug of the Holy Spirit.

5. Walk with Jesus personally, keep yourself tender towards HIm.

6. Hospitality is a kingdom value.

7. Confront in yourself tendencies toward cultural reserve.

These pretty much stand on their own. I would welcome any discussion on any or all of these points. What do you think?

Friday, April 08, 2005

New Career Thoughts

I just took a career test to see what I want to be when I grow up.

Consider this:

Outgoing (E) 78.13% Withdrawn (I) 21.88%
Imaginative (N) 66.67% Realistic (S) 33.33%
Emotional (F) 61.11% Intellectual (T) 38.89%
Improvised (P) 68.75% Organized (J) 31.25%
Your type is: ENFP
You are an Inspirer, possible professions include - conference planner, speech pathologist, HR development trainer, ombudsman, clergy, journalist, newscaster, career counselor, housing director, character actor, marketing consultant, musician/composer, artist, information-graphics designer, human resource manager, merchandise planner, advertising account manager, dietitian/nutritionist, speech pathologist, massage therapist, editor/art director.

Hmmm . . . I wonder which of those I might be able to do at my age!