Purpose or Understanding?

Who doesn’t want to know the Will of God or the Purpose of Life? From the moment cognitive thought first takes place in our heads, we start to wonder things like: Why am I here? What is my purpose? or even What is God’s Will for my life? We all share in these soul searching questions.

The “Real” question should not be about Purpose of life, God’s will, or even about existence. The real question should be “How can I find UNDERSTANDING in what I’m going through?” Whether a person believes in the Bible, or God Almighty, the reason we exist is the same; to give Glory to God in ALL aspects of our lives. This satisfies our need to know why we exist, what our purpose is, and how we are to live our lives, The answer to life’s toughest question is answered by simply moving the attention off ourselves and placing it back on the Creator of our dreams and desires. We move from a “me” focused attitude to a God focused life.

So as I sit here in Limbo, wondering what the next step is in God’s awesome plan for my life, I am slowly changing my focus from PURPOSE to UNDERSTANDING. I find myself asking, “What does God want me to experience in the unknown?” rather than “What am I supposed to do?”. Its when we change our way of thinking about what we’re going through that we discover the reasons behind why God has placed such obstacles and experiences in our life. We can honestly ask ourselves: Is God taking this opportunity to…protect, prepare, teach, sharpen, guide…(fill in the gap)…me? We place HIM in the key and primary position within our lives. Our lives become about serving HIM in all aspects and about wondering why this are happening or how things are going to work our. The fact is, life is a mystery and adventure. The certain answers we seek may never be found. But when we pray diligently for UNDERSTANDING during our experiences, we start to see God as He is; a God who has the BEST intentions for our lives.

Isn’t it Ironic?

One week left here in Kansas and I’m starting to see the irony of life. We are told from adolescence that things come full circle; that the past repeats itself; that life has cycles. Yet while we are going through them we fail to realize the truth about them until we yet again are faced with the irony of life.

To expound for a moment, I am referring to the way God has worked in my life. Shortly after MaryEllen and I got married, we felt as if God was closing doors and preparing us for something adventurous. Then in the spring of 2001, we felt the pull to move out in faith. So we left god paying jobs, our friends, family, and all the comforts of the familiar for the adventure God had designed for us. We packed up the U-Haul and moved to Oklahoma. We had a direction and a down payment on an apartment; we had nothing else.

Now, over seven years later, irony stares us in the eyes and says, “You ready for your next adventure?” Now facing a major semi-continental move (which will drain our savings), the promise of no job on the horizon (though there are a lot of “interested” churches), the return to my parents household (hopefully only a temporary situation), and the addition of another Humby to the clan (Yes, we are expecting our third), I have to wonder about the irony of placing my full trust in God.

Please bear with me for a moment. I am not complaining or belittling the fact that I know God has something in store for us or that we will grow and prosper through this as we have done in the past. No, I am simply saying that when I take a step back I can’t help but see the parallels between our move seven years ago and our move in seven days. And I can’t help but wonder if this is simply part of God’s humor; reminding us that HE’s in charge and that everything happens for HIS glory and not ours. If I have learned one lesson in the adventure we have faced over the last seven years it is this: I am not God. He loves and cares for us and even when we don’t understand the “why’s” of life, He understands and had the reasoning for it. So as I continue to pack boxes and in a week load up the truck, I can be assured that even though this point of faith in my life looks like irony, its simply part of God’s plan to express his love in my life!

Anticipation for this Summer

Thought I would take a few minutes to update those of you who: 1) Follow this feed and are addicted to my life and family or 2) Have been praying for me and my family to find a new position. Well, if you are part of the latter group, there is no new news. I have sent out what seems like hundreds of resumes and cover letters with only a few churches placing an interest in us. This is partly due to the fact that most of the churches take a look at my resume and are a bit squeamish. Unfortunately a single piece of paper does not give a good picture of who I am, what I stand for, or what I could be for a church. I see myself as a “diamond in the rough” and with the right person could be a great asset and great treasure. But unfortunately a resume, cold and standard, can not articulate that.

On the lighter side of things, I was recently asked to be the camp speaker this summer at my childhood camp, Good ‘ol Chambers Camp. This will take part the week of July 14-19th, Central NY Jr. High Camp. The family is quite excited about the returning to our old stomping ground. They are focusing on 1 John 3:18, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” I am excited about it because this is the one thing I talk to teens more than anything…being real and allowing the truth to flow though our lives. I am excited about what God is going to do. Please pray:

1. God gives me the message that HE desires to be spoken to the kids

2. God opens up a door for MaryEllen and I before that date and that the church that hires us will be excepting and willing to allow me to take part in this great ministry experience.

3. God beings to soften the hearts of those (adults and teens) who attend Camp to hear HIS message and speak to their lives.

Thank you all for your love and prayers. I will continue to keep you in the “know”. We love you all!!

Day Off

What a week! Emotions on the rise, immune system beaten low. Craziness all around. After a week of battling “the crud” (Kansas terminology for being sick) and resigning my position here at the church after two and a half years of service, the one thing I need more than anything is a day off. Now when I say “day off” I mean a day where I sleep late and do practically nothing of substance.

Unfortunately, there was part of me that wanted to take a day off from even the things that count. I mean there was part of me that wanted to skip my daily time with God and instead simply vegg out in front of the TV. I was tempted to forgo reading my bible and devotionals and instead spend ten more minutes under my blankets.

But then I started thinking, God never takes a day off from me. He is constantly watching over me and concerned about me. Even in the movie “Bruce Almighty”, when Bruce is given all the powers and responsibilities of the almighty, God is still aware of Bruce’s moves and mistakes. Psalm 68:19 puts it this way, “ Praise the Lord, who carries our burdens day after day; he is the God who saves us.” (Good News Bible) If God cares enough about us to daily carry our burdens, why wouldn’t I desire to take some time out of my busy schedule to spend time with him? Even on my day off.

Whats in Your Diet?

I love my children but sometimes I can’t help but shake my head at some of the things that they do. Patrick, when he was growing up never was concerned about dropping food on the floor. If something dropped off his plate, we would pick it up and if we missed something, we never worried that he would go back at some later date and try consuming the fallen food.

Micah, my youngest it another story. He eats everything and anything. Whether it is something meant to be consumed or not, it finds its way into his mouth. We will be sitting at the table during a meal and he will purposely drop food off the table and retrieve it later that evening if it is not immediately picked up. But like I mentioned, he consumes anything he can get his hands on. He has wet his pallet with several deodorant sticks, some of our Kansas grown bugs, dirt, dust, books and the list goes on and on.

This morning though made me simply shake my head and ask God, “Why?”. The kids have been house bound due to the extreme heat we have been experiencing. So early this morning it was cool enough to let the boys ride their bikes for a few minutes outside. Micah found a bike helmet and placed it on his head. He looked adorable (I know, bias dad…)! A few moments later, MaryEllen came into the bathroom, where I was getting ready to go to the office, and showed me a handful of torn, chewed up material. Apparently Micah had bitten the Styrofoam lining of the bike helmet and was chewing it like tobacco. I simply look at the pile of chewed styrofoam and shook my head.

As I began to process the events of this morning I began to wonder how many times we are like Micah in our Spiritual life. We look at the empty things this world has to offer us and take a deep bite into it. We know its not food for our souls. We know its empty, but yet we dive in and take a large bite. Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy…But store up for yourselves treasure in heaven…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (NIV).

Styrofoam, though it makes a great insulator, makes a lousy meal. What are you hungering after in this life? Are you satisfied with what this world has to offer you; empty calories and a lousy nutrients. Or are you looking for something more satisfying? If so, look to your heart and ask yourself, Whats in My diet?