Tuesday was my very first Emergent Cohort gathering, and this is my very first blog "membership." I've never done these before -- at least not quite like this. So it's another week of "firsts." I am truly amazed, blessed and humbled at how God has revealed Himself to me through others since moving to New Mexico -- and it just continues -- it doesn't stop! I'm very excited about this group and went away Tuesday with a very pleasant, spiritually peaceful feeling in my mind, body and soul, and when that happens you know I'll be back!
Thank you Todd.
Troy
P.S. Good message Sam, and don't worry about the depression thing, because I find myself on that road once in a while myself!
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5 comments:
Those are very kind words Troy. Thank you so much for being who you are and for adding so much to all of us. Your honesty and fresh outlook is very refreshing to me and I'm sure to everyone.
Hey,
Did you say that you work with substance abuse counseling? I've been in college admissions for 21 years. I'm starting to think about what my "next life" will look like and that's one of the things I might like to do. A friend of mine is struggling and in denial - not sure where her "rock bottom" is but she hasn't yet hit it. It's very scary how she's changed. My daughter just told me she's thinking about that for a career too. She says that's her role with her HS friends now.
It was good to hear your unique perspective. See you, Alli.
Alli -- I work at a place that provides substance abuse counseling referrals. We are a free service and provide financial assistance to pay for the outpatient treatment (funded by the City of ABQ). The actual counseling/treatment is provided elsewhere, at one of the providers we contract with through the City. I am not a counselor (my title here is "Office Administrator", or glorified paper-pusher/file clerk), nor am I sure I desire to be a counselor, but it seems to be an interesting field. I want to pursue more education in sociology and religiou studies to use in humanitarian efforts and ministry endeavors (somehow). That's my desire (oh yeah, and zoology/wildlife management is a passion of mine too). If you or your daughter want to pursue such a career, the basic license is called a LADAC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor). There is also a Tech-level LADAC certificate you can get first, but I forget what it's called exactly. Troy
Praising God: After our meeting a few weeks ago most of you said you were going to hang out to talk about "forms of worship" or something to that affect.
I have given it some thought since then (off and on) and confessed to Todd that I take issue with "Praising God" with words, verbally that is. Not right, not wrong, just is. I don't beat myself up about this but it did cause me to think that there must be something more to this.
I attended (visited) a church a couple of weeks ago with some friends who were moving back here and doing the "church search" thing so we went with them. Not the place for us, by the way. Too charismatic (ok for some, not for others), people "slain in the spirit", etc. Again, not a cricitism, only an observation.
So I thought: How do we praise God if not with words? OK, here are some (not all) of the things that came to mind .... and I really don't think God minds if I say these things:
1. Thinking about Him
2. Concerned about falling short of worshipping God.
3. Doing the right thing (falls in the area of integrity) not for what it gains you but just because it is right... You Know?
4. Enjoying being where you are.
5. Calling your folks or a friend once in a while.
6. Not calling attention to yourself for your choices.
7. Sleeping with your pet, reaching over in the middle of the night, making contact, going back to sleep.
8. Enjoying and appreciating the small mercies, comforts, and freedoms we enjoy. (God made us to enjoy)
9. Being miffed at God. Is this not part of a healthy relationship? Is a relationship not what God made us for? If I have a friend and I get P.O.'ed at him or her (my wife on rare occassion) it is ok, because it means the relationship is strong enough to sustain some scrapes and bruises. If I can't be honest with you, then our relationship is in its infancy and may never develop past that superficial stage.
10. Making mistakes and forgiving yourself and forgiving others for mistakes they have made.
11. Be transparent. I haven't achieved this and sometimes I don't think I ever will. I think about it a lot but unfortunately subscribe (for now) to Benjamin Franklin's: "Let all men no ye but let no one know ye completely".
OK, 10 out of 11 isn't bad.
So as I consider Praising God, these are the things that seem to make sense to me right now. Maybe I still have some unsettled anger over issues that remain unresolved.
Ciao, Sam
Sam, great post! Not only do I appreciate the several expressions of worship you mentioned, but then it caused me to begin to reflect on many other forms that you would think might be legitimate expressions which often times don't gain much creedance in 'churchy' atmospheres.
For example, I recently had a conversation with someone at the church I go to here in Edgewood about how important it is to get people together so they can learn to relate with one another in meaningful ways, to share their lives with one another. What was interesting was that in talking with this individual one on one I would have never realized that they shared the same conviction, but they weren't sure how that could become a reality in light of the way things are "already being done." You spoke of what you think should be as valid (if not more) expressions of worhsip, much the same way as I did at another level. What is it that causes us to look past what should be more obvious and potentially more beneficial?
Sam, thanks for sharing your insights in word form, and for being transparent, too. With your willingness in sharing more about what you think about things, I sense that I have gotten to know you a little better than I had before. I am looking forward to future revealings from you as I think that your voice is one of many important ones very much worth listening to and mulling over for the possibility of future implementation (I say this with all humility realizing that my voice is only one of many).
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