Full of Questions

I've been told that I am a "processor". I process the information, pros and cons, before I make a decision - especially financial decisions. It took me several months to choose the car I finally bought. I'd like to say its because I'm so practical, but I think its got as much to do with confusion, doubt and fear as it does with pragmatism.

The song I chose this week seems to fit my questioning. "What If" by Nichole Nordeman presses the issue of doubt: Maybe Jesus was just a great man... BUT what if I'm wrong??? Certainly at points in my life, I've wondered if Christ was really, truly the Son of God. Like Thomas, I needed proof - something real and substantial. In my day-to-day life and in my spiritual life I've been afraid to just jump and close my eyes, knowing that His arms will hold me up.

As I face questions in the future, I will remember this song and allow my faith - in myself and in God - to shorten the processing time.

I'm All In

It was an easy pick this week. Matthew West's The Motions from his 2008 CD "Something To Say".

I really like the idea of "just OK" not being enough. Our passion for something... anything really, always ends up with a positive outcome. Rarely do we get a powerful result from a routine effort.

Clearly the song is referring to following Christ and feeling his passion totally and without reserve. Its a great question for our faith and our lives in general. What if we gave everything - our full effort? No ifs, ands or buts... Wouldn't that be fulfilling?

I think of many situations where I've just gone through the motions: with my kids and parents, at work, in my relationships, on this SOTW page, certainly in church and in my faith. When I compare the rewards of really pouring my passion into these same situations, the difference is staggering. So I'm going "All In" on a regular basis.

Get Out of Your Way

Does it ever feel like you are your own worst enemy? You know what
ought to be done. You have the knowledge, the ability and the desire to do it. Yet.... somehow... someway... you mess it up...

These situations drive me nuts. Maybe its because I'd like to put blame on someone or something other than me. Maybe its the frustration of having success in my grasp only to let it slip away. Certainly its the let-down of knowing that I got in the way of my own goodness.

This week I kept hearing "Two Hands" by Jars of Clay which is on their CD The Long Fall Back To Earth. The CD will be released in April, but the single has been released to radio for a month or so. Its my pick this week. (You'll have to press the "Stop" button (solid square) in the "Play The Song of The Week" area, and then press the Play arrow in the YouTube video below this posting.)

This song speaks so clearly to my issues with self induced "mishaps". How much more could we accomplish if our efforts were coordinated and focused in the same direction? How much more goodness would I see if I simply kept my actions and ambitions working together?

A Shelter From the Storm

The feeling that things will work out for the best, Hope. Its a sense that is easily overpowered by the circumstances of our lives and for me, has been one that comes and goes.

From a Christian standpoint, it is one of the fundamental beliefs: "Faith, Hope, Love - abide these three...." As I see it, Hope is an indicator of faith and optimism. If we are hopeful, then we have some faith that things will work out favorably and we are optimistic that the outcome will be positive. When hope is missing, we are left with uncertainty and fear. This week there's been a mix of Hope and Fear in my life - mostly related to work, but not exclusively.


My song this week is "Hope Now" by Addison Road from their self-titled CD released in 2008.
This song really touched on my own issues with faith and trust in God's grand plan, but mostly on the strength of being consistently hopeful. (I suppose the band being named after my daughter didn't hurt the selection, either!!) Have a great week. Peace, Mark