Archive for December, 2007
Monday, December 31st, 2007
I used to believe the people that say that you should/could “ignore” criticism… I don’t know about you but I find that to be impossible. Here’s some stuff I’ve learned about dealing with criticism in 2007.
- Don’t be surprised by it. Every time I read the Gospels I notice how many time the heading is “Jesus’ followers are criticised”…still are…nuff said.
- If it’s “true”-deal with it. All criticism is painful but the most painful is the stuff that is true or at least has a basis in truth. I really struggle with this, but the best plan is to admit it’s true, deal with it, and move on…
- If it’s not true- don’t spend too much time defending yourself. I’m not Jesus (understatement of the century) so I still struggle with “turning the other cheek”… but I have learned that the people that criticise the most don’t usually care if what they are saying is actually true… so it’s pointless to devote your life trying to prove them “wrong”. Let God be the judge.
Bottom line: Deal with criticism-just don’t be “paralyzed” by it! The most important thing I have learned in 2007 about dealing with criticism is that whenever we buy into the lie that we must prove our “sinless perfection” to others before we can do whatever God wants us too-we’ve already lost the battle! God’s word is filled with imperfect, flawed, “messed up” people…who for some reason were chosen to do amazing things. That certainly doesn’t give us and excuse to be sinful jerks…but it does mean that we should trust that God knows our past, our flaws, and our future faults…and still chooses to love us anyway.
Come to think of it, that’s pretty much how we are supposed to treat others-even our critics!
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Saturday, December 29th, 2007
I sometimes catch myself thinking that not much has happened this year at actionchurch… We’ve only had one “test drive” service… I find myself thinking that “next year” after we launch (2.10.08) is when it will all “happen”.
When I catch myself thinking like that I’m gonna smack myself in the forehead! (Ouch!) At this time last year actionchurch was little more than a crazy idea and a really great logo. Just one year later I am amazed at how that idea has spread! I am so thankful for the people who have given their time and energy to develop a church for those who “don’t like church”. I am so thankful for the people who have given their money to help us purchase equipment and tools we need to create a place where those who feel disenfranchised by religion will feel welcomed. I am thankful for the crew at Fat Daddy’s for sharing their club and allowing it to become a church on Sunday mornings. I am thankful for the ways we have been able to serve our community even before we are “officially” a church. I am thankful for people I barely know who are now promoting and inviting people to this “crazy idea” we call actionchurch. I am thankful for the sacrifices my “girls” have made to allow me to participate in what I feel is an opportunity of a lifetime to bring something needed to our community. Most of all I’m thankful that there is a God who specializes in using common, flawed peopled to do extraordinary things… Wow, 2007 has been an amazing year…I can’t wait to see what happens in 2008
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Friday, December 28th, 2007
Maybe I should say this is something I “noticed” in 2007. As we read through the Bible as a family this year it seemed like one phrase kept jumping out- “Lord of Heavens Armies”. Some older translations say “Lord God Almighty” but either way I did a bit of research and this particular phrase shows up nearly three hundred times in the Bible…far more than any mention of God as “Father”.
So what does it mean to me? I think it means that I must remember to view God not only as my Father…but as “Commander in Chief” of the universe…”Commander in Chief” in the middle of a battle between his kingdom plan for Good and Satan’s plan for chaos and pain. God as “Commander in Chief” is not always “nice”, or “warm and fuzzy”. He’s got a plan and he will see it accomplished…no matter what! God as “Commander in Chief” will sometimes send us on “dangerous” missions…missions that may not be that personally pleasurable…missions we ourselves would definitely not choose… But because God is also our loving Father…we can trust him to have our best interests at heart. I’m definitely still working on this one…I realize more every year that God is just too “big” for any “box” or “explanation” I might give him…
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I used to believe the people that say that you should/could “ignore” criticism… I don’t know about you but I find that to be impossible. Here’s some stuff I’ve learned about dealing with criticism in 2007.
