Author: greg@seek1st

Greater Things Conference- Day 1

Woke up this morning to beautiful sunshine and 73 degrees! Saw a little of Baton Rouge, but mainly sat in the sun this afternoon, before heading to the conference this evening. Healing Place Church has done a great job so far hosting the Greater Things Conference.

Joyce Meyer ws the keynote speaker, and she did a great job pointing out the fact that too many Christians and churches are falling down in the “love” department. We go about saying we love one another, when our actions look more like we have a “Do Not Disturb” sign hung around our neck. We are too busy waiting for the Lord to tell us what our ministry is while walking past real needs we can meet every day. She cited some statistics that drove the point home that if the Church in the US would start acting to fill the needs of others, there would be a lot less need in our country, going on to make a point that I’ve cited here several times: We’ve let the government take over our job. The government is not anointed to take care of the poor, the widow, the sick and the marginalized, the church is. And we need to quit waiting for something big to happen someday and start doing the small things that are right in front of us today. We don’t need a committee or a prayer meeting before we can get started.

We just need to put on love, every day, as deliberately as we put on clothes.

Suspend disbelief

I had a boss who had a great way of challenging our thinking, to get us to stop restricting possibilities with our preconceived ideas: he would ask us to “suspend disbelief.”. Not blindly conform to conditioned structures, and just as validly to not conform to unexamined pronouncements. Instead, he invited us to approach ideas with skepticism, but forbade cynicism.

I like that distinction. Skepticism invites healthy exploration-it says “this may or may not be true, let’s explore it more.” Cynicism says “there’s no way this can be true, exploring it is a waste of time.”. Skepticism approaches the unknown or unproven objectively; cynicism builds an all but insurmountable wall of negativity in front of any consideration.

Note too that skepticism is not blindly following, but instead objectively considering the possibilities.

General Update

Figured since the last real post was back in December, I’d put a few highlights of life, if nothing else to try to explain why I haven’t posted more frequently.

Most importantly, I just wrapped up my last semester of school.  I’ve been working for the last 2  years on a Master’s Degree in Christian Ministry.  I’ll actually be graduating in April, but I’m officially done with all my classes, and know that I’ve met all my degree requirements.  This degree was a LOT more work than my last Masters, but I really enjoyed it, and learned a lot.  Hopefully now I’ll have some time to write on here, instead of just writing papers.

I guess the next big news is that Kelli and I are headed to Louisiana for the week.  We’re attending the

Migrating my blog

Now that I’m done with school, I’m hoping to get more frequent in my blogging.

I’m also not appreciative of our friends at Google who have decided that they’re going to decide how to share my data and interests across all of the platforms they can, which included my Gmail account and my old Blogger account.

So, I’m starting a new site!  I’ve moved to WordPress, and have set up my own domain, at Seek-1st.net

The bad news is it might take me a day or two to master the new site/format, so bear with me (I’ll try to delete all the tests and not waste too much of your time).

It’s kinda bland right now, but that’s what they gave me as a default layout.  I’ll play with that some too…

You never know who’s watching…

Ok, here’s some crazy info for you.  It’d been a while since I posted anything, then put up a new blog entry a few days ago.  Tonight, I went in to check my stats, just to see if anyone’s reading.  To the 18 folks that checked out my last post, I thank you for taking the time, and hope it was worth your while.  OK, so two of those were probably me, and one was my loving and supportive wife.  So it’s probably more like 15.  Anyway, I noticed that since I started this thing, I’ve had 950+ page views!  Wow!  I would never have guessed I drew that much attention.  That got me curious–who are all of these folks?

The stat tracker I used to use shut down, so I’m stuck with the one resident on my host, which only shows what country the hits come from.  Guess where I’m most popular?  RUSSIA!  That’s right, more hits from Russia than from the US.

Since I have only publicized this through my Facebook page, I’m pretty sure my readers in Russia don’t know me!

Here’s all of the stats:

Russia (522)
United States (341)
Israel (47)
Malaysia (13)
Germany (8)
United Kingdom (7)
France (3)
Netherlands (3)
India (2)
South Africa (1)
The reason for all this international acclaim?  My best guess is that my posts with “Un-American” and “Christians …terrorists” in them came up on page 872 of a Google-search of some REALLY bored people.That’s all.  No deep thoughts.  Thanks for reading.  Maybe I’ll think something profound tomorrow.

Being a Sheep

Observations whilerunning with my pack (flock?)
 I run with my twolarge dogs.  Not as often as I should, oras they would like, but I do.  As we wereout for our run this morning, I was thinking, and noticing things.  First, my two dogs are rather exuberant whenwe start out.  They really don’t want tofollow my lead, but would rather run ahead. That causes problems, because when I’m not in front, they tend to missthe turns, and get their leads really tangled up, sometimes causing one or moreof us to slip and fall in the snow.  Whenthey’re following well, they  run withtheir shoulders right next to my thigh. They can sense when I slow down, speed up, or change direction; evenwhen I alert on some sort of perceived threat. We move almost as one.

Now, when they perceive a threat,whether it’s a moose, another dog, or a trash can (what can I say, the GreatDane can’t see too well in the dark) they tend to take their eyes off me, andstart focusing on the threat.  If I don’tget them refocused quickly, they start veering off toward the threat, creatingthe same problem discussed above.  Theycan even start pulling me off course. But, if they stay focused on me, we generally run right by the waywardtrash can, or I deal with the loose dog, and our little pack is safe.

 So what, yousay?  Well, I see a broaderapplication.  Excuse me while I changemetaphors, from a pack to a flock.  Manypundits, bloggers, and commenters on the internet news pages like to use themetaphor of sheep to refer to people today, particularly those who aren’talarmed by the threat that the writer sees. “Sheeple” has become a derogatory term for those in societywho aren’t alarmed by the threat so obvious to the writer.  “I don’twant to be a sheep! ” Sheep are dumb, blindly following theshepherd, and easily led astray.  Theyhave no real individual defensive capability, and are only really safe frompredators when pressed tightly together in the flock, and when being protectedby the shepherd.
 Unfortunately, Jesuscalls us sheep.  His sheep.  He uses this metaphor a lot, and says he isour Shepherd.
 So what does being asheep have to do with running with my dogs? Well, while I was running with my “pack,” I was considering aflock and how it behaves.  I won’t even pretendto be an expert on sheep behavior, but I have observed flocks before, and I’vegot Google.
 First, a flockfollowing their shepherd tend to bunch pretty closely together.  Even those sheep on the outside edges,farthest away from the shepherd, know where to go, because the flock tends tobecome one contiguous mass.  Those on theedge press in to those closer in, much like my dogs do when they’re followingwell.  When threats appear, they tend topress in even closer, trying to draw closer to their shepherd, and listeningfor his voice.  If those sheep on thefringe of the flock, instead of drawing closer, focus instead on the threat,they will tend to veer away from the flock, and toward the threat.  This is exactly what a predator wants–todistract the sheep from the flock, causing it to take its eyes and ears off theshepherd, and to stray away from the safety of the flock, becoming easy prey.
Jesus says his sheepfollow him because they know his voice. But what if the sheep, instead of focusing on him, are bleating aboutthe threat?  Loud noises frighten sheep!  I imagine those closest to him may still beable to hear his voice over the cacophony of the flock, but those sheep on thefringe, farthest from him, and also most vulnerable to the predator, may not beable to hear over the noise.

I think it’s time for Christians to start acting like the sheep we are supposedto be.  We are defenseless, other than bystaying in our flock.  We’re not supposedto fight against the predator, but to stay close to the Shepherd.  Quit fixating on the predator, and stopbleating.  We might still be able to hear him, butothers in the flock might not.  Ourcarrying on about the threat may be what panics them, causes them to losefocus, to run.  Our lack of trust andfocus might be the very thing that makes the predator successful in taking ourlambs.

If you’re scared, oruncertain, or worried about the predators lurking in the shadows, press in alittle tighter to the flock, and listen for the Shepherd.

Even though I walk through the valley of theshadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.  Your rod and staff, they comfort me. – Psalm23:4

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died…

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived. -General George S. Patton, June 7, 1945

Many writers will chastise Americans today for spending too much time on barbequing and not enough time remembering the sacrifices that this day is set aside to memorialize. I’m not one of those. We each remember in our own way, and I would submit that many of those fallen servicemembers would prefer that they be remembered, not in somber ceremonies, but in celebrations of the American way of life.

I served my country for 23 years, and while proud of that fact, I also will tell you that I’m humbled by the opportunity, and don’t feel that anyone owes me anything. I chose to serve, and knew full well the potential outcomes. I am eternally grateful for all who served before me, with me, and those who have served since. I honor each and every one of them, and particularly honor those who gave their lives. This nation is unique in the world, both present and historically, and that uniqueness has much to do with the character of its citizens, who respond to the call of freedom, and make the necessary sacrifices to preserve freedom, not for glory, but out of a sense of selfless service.

Three days ago, six men from one of my old units, the 101st Pathfinder Company (now Co F (Pathfinder), 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)), joined the ranks of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. 1LT John M. Runkle, SSG Edward Mills, SSG Ergin Osman, SGT Louie Ramosvelazquez, SGT Thomas Bohall, and SPC Adam Patton died in combat in Afghanistan May 26th, just a few months short of their rotation home. I never knew them, but I thank God that they lived.

Remember them today as you celebrate Memorial Day.

Semper Primus(“Always First”, the motto of the 101st Pathfinders).

Modern English Definitions

We all know that language is constantly evolving. Here is my understanding of the new definition for several familiar English words in prevalent use today:

Liar: Someone who does not assent to my understanding of reality

Cheater: Someone who appears to have circumstances more favorable than mine who has not yet assented to yield their advantage to me

Truth: The understanding of circumstances that best suits my needs at the time

Justice: 1) Seeing all the cheaters suffer; 2) Getting the opportunity to make someone else’s circumstances worse than mine

What do all these new definitions have in common? They are all egocentric. These concepts are no longer defined by an absolute standard, but instead are defined by comparison with the speaker’s condition.

Narcissism is a related psychological concept. I’ve done almost zero research on this, but I propose that US society (collectively and individually) is suffering from some form of egocentricity or narcissism.

Check this list of narcissistic traits:

*An obvious self-focus in interpersonal exchanges
*Problems in sustaining satisfying relationships
*A lack of psychological awareness
*Difficulty with empathy
*Problems distinguishing the self from others
*Hypersensitivity to any sleights or imagined insults
*Vulnerability to shame rather than guilt (if you’re having trouble envisioning this one, picture the response of any recently arrested public figure)
*Flattery towards people who admire and affirm him or her
*Detesting those who do not admire him or her
*Using other people without considering the cost to them of his or her doing so
*Pretending to be more important than he or she is
*Bragging (subtly but persistently) and exaggerating his or her achievements
*Inability to view the world from the perspective of other people

See our culture in these descriptions? See your friends, co-workers, neighbors?

See yourself?

If you don’t, you’re probably wasting your time reading this.

If you have this really heavy feeling in your gut right now, welcome to my reality.

In Luke 9:23, Jesus says: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Deny yourself–no wonder Jesus is having trouble finding people who want to be his disciple in America today.

In the Garden, the Serpent tempted Eve by telling her that eating the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would make her eyes opened, and that she would be “like God, knowing good and evil.” I don’t believe this means she would be able to recognize good and evil. Rather, I believe she would be able to define good and evil. Eve didn’t get in trouble for breaking God’s rule, she tried to take his throne! She was tempted (and responded to the temptation) to define good and evil from her perspective, rather than accepting and submitting to God’s definition. And no, I’m not just beating up Eve; Adam was right there, and joined right in. And so have I.

A lot of people in our country today are fed up with “those other guys”. Some are actually mad enough to do something about it.

I’m fed up with me. I pray that Jesus will do something about it.

3519 Days

3519 days ago, some cowards committed a heinous attack on unknowing, innocent people. Their leader was an evil man, set on imposing his own brand of religion on the world, and on destroying the nation we live in. 3519 days ago, our nation vowed to put a stop to this man and his band of brutal, hateful people.

3519 days ago, one of my closest friends died at the hands of these murderers. For 3519 days, I’ve been boiling on the inside. An honorable man was dead, while a dishonorable man sneered. The Arab world sneered.

3519 days ago, many opponents of our nation cheered at the death blow we’d been dealt. America was bleeding, and our opponents knew that we didn’t have the wherewithal or the national courage to finish what they’d started. See, if you don’t understand the Eastern mindset, you don’t understand that they were winning in Iraq and Afghanistan. Because no matter how many we killed, no matter how many elections we sponsored, or wells we dug, as long as this pestilence escaped our grasp, we were losing face. It’s a Middle Eastern thing, that no matter how much we Americans try, we can’t comprehend it, because they think differently than we do. Not wrong, just different, so it’s illogical to us. The Israelis understand this. They’ve demonstrated over the last 50 years that to earn respect in the Middle East you’ve got to seek peace, but demonstrate that you will respond with superior force and see your goals through, no matter the cost. President Reagan understood this–in 1986, Libyan-supported terrorists bombed a disco in Berlin, so he bombed Qaddafi’s home, among other targets. Libya suddenly became eerily quiet with regard to sponsoring or supporting terrorism against the US.

Today, the Arabs learned a lesson. The USA will respond, and will see the task through. It took 3519 days, but that face of evil was just removed from the earth.

Tomorrow, when the next group of terrorists starts planning, they’ll do it with the knowledge that the US military can get them anytime, anywhere, with cruise missiles and drones, or with a few highly trained American soldiers who will fly hundreds of miles into badguy-land to look them in the eyes and put a cap in their skull. And those 72 virgins, or whatever their own personal cause-worth-dying-for might be, won’t look quite so attractive.

5939 American service members gave their life in the defense of this nation in the Afghan and Iraqi theaters in the last 3519 days. Almost 6000 died, many thousands more are permanently wounded. Roughly the equivalent of the population of five high schools the size of my daughter’s…most of them were not much older than she is now.

3519 days ago, the USA was permanently changed. Today, the world’s view of the USA was permanently changed as well.

To the thousands of service members who have given a measure of sacrifice that most US citizens can’t even comprehend, I say “Thank you.”

To a few dedicated, anonymous heroes who had the honor of performing a mission into Pakistan, not knowing for sure what the outcome would be, I say “Hooah. Nice shooting.”

It’s time for Christians to RISE UP!!!

Acts Chapter 4 recounts the story of Peter and John’s arrest and questioning before the Jewish religious rulers for teaching about Jesus. During their interrogation, the Jewish rulers ordered these two men to not speak or teach about Jesus.

Verse 23-24 relate what happened next: “On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in protest of this obvious violation of their religious rights, crying “To arms! To arms! All righteous men and followers of Jesus, RISE UP! We must defend our rights against this tyranny and oppression!” At this, the 3000 new believers launched an impressive guerrilla campaign that spread from Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria in just a few short years. Within 50 years, their small guerrilla band had taken large portions of Asia Minor and Southern Europe, establishing strongholds in Rome that would eventually topple the Roman Empire.

For those of you who are now scrambling for your Bibles to see where THAT passage is,

“April Fools!”

That’s really not what happened. The first part is correct; Peter and John were arrested and ordered not to teach or talk about Jesus. They did go back to their followers, but v 24 really says “When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God, “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

” ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’… They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness…. After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

These people were facing real oppression–life-threatening oppression. They didn’t rail against the government, let alone plot to take up armed opposition. What did they do? They prayed, and they kept on preaching the Gospel boldly. So why do many Christians today feel the need to oppose our government? They’re not telling us to quit speaking about Jesus. And even if sometime in the future the US government were to violate the Constitution by ordering Christians not to speak about Jesus, are we then supposed to oppose the government? Not according to my Bible! We’re supposed to pray, then speak the word of GOD boldly! Not speak the word against the government!

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. –2 Corinthians 10:3-5.