gimme, gimme…i need, i need!

One of my favorite movies is What About Bob, starring Bill Murray.  My two best buds and I watched it quite frequently in college and every time, we’d end up rolling in the floor with laugther.  Bob was a needy guy and when I started to write today, I couldn’t help but remember one of his lines from the movie, “Gimme, gimme…I need, I need!”  Ever feel like that? I find myself “needing” a lot of stuff quite often.  I “need” to go to Starbucks.  I “need” that new Macbook.  (I really do.)

But, what do I REALLY need?  In order to live, I need air to breathe.  I need water to drink.  I need a little food for sustenance.  Apart from those basic essentials to human life, there’s not really much more that I MUST have…or need.  

Maybe I just “want” to go to Starbucks.  Of course, I do.  Maybe I just “want” that new Macbook.  You bet I do!  And, I’m sure I’ll get it.  But, all I really NEED is Christ.  He is the source of everything I need.  He’s the source of that air, water and food I need.  Nothing exists that doesn’t come from Him.

We did Charlie Hall’s tune “Center” in church yesterday including a little segue into “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.”  I was reminded that He is all I really need and when I focus on Him, the things of this earth really do grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. 

one man band

In addition to previewing lots of new worship/choir/Easter music for church, I’ve been listening quite a bit to James Taylor’s newest, One Man Band.  I’ve been a JT fan for years, so it’s no surprise to me how good this record is.  No one writes a song like James Taylor.  I don’t agree with all of his religious and political views, but musically, he’s the man.  If you’re a James Taylor fan, you probably already have it or have at least heard it.  If not, check it out.  It’s just James and his guitar and Larry Goldings on piano.  It’s awesome.

the moses factor

One of my recent devotions was about when God spoke to Moses through a burning bush and told him to go to Pharaoh and basically demand the release of the Israelites from Egypt. First of all, it’s hard to get past the burning bush scene. For me, the whole point of it is to demonstrate that God will often use miraculous, extreme, and unordinary things to get our attention.

Once God had Moses’ attention, He laid out His plan to use Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. Immediately, Moses began to try to get out of it. Ever been there? He tried every excuse in the book. “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3: 11) “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?” (Exodus 4:1) “O Lord, I have never been eloquent…I am slow of speech and tongue.” (Exodus 4:10) It seems Moses was trying as hard as he could to get out of this mission. He obviously thought he was the wrong person for the job.

I’m sure we’ve all experienced situations like this. I know I have. Many times, I have felt inadequate, lacking in skill, unworthy, etc. Sometimes, I’ve just been plain scared! But, just like in Moses’ case, God has always given me exactly what I needed to accomplish the job He called me to do. God so often uses the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary. I believe it further demonstrates how awesome, marvelous and miraculous He really is. He is able to accomplish amazing things through not-so-amazing people like me.

I’m grateful that He has chosen me to serve in His mighty Kingdom. The next time you feel that God is calling you to do something and you’re not quite certain you’re the right person for the task, just remember Moses and so many others who God has used to get His work done.

the strike zone

OK, last night I enjoyed a night of pizza and bowling with 3 of my pals from the Worship and Arts team at church.  We ate pizza and discussed the pertinent issues of life, which included Credence Clearwater Revival and Steppenwolf, speed pool and racing cars on ice-covered lakes. Then, we bowled.  It’s been quite some time since last I bowled and I quickly realized how much I enjoy and wish I did it more often.  Fun times!  We plan to have more outings like this, so stay tuned.  Just remember, ya gotta hit that head pin!

resolutions

As I write, I’m a week into 2008 and I’m thinking about new year’s resolutions. Many people have already started their resolutions.  Others haven’t made any and some don’t plan to make any at all.  Whether or not you make them, you can’t help but at least think about resolutions at this time.  I haven’t researched it enough to know when the whole idea got started, but making new year’s resolutions is a huge part of our society.

 

I guess you could say I make new year’s resolutions, although I don’t usually call it that.  I always have specific goals I want to accomplish during the year, both personal and professional.  And, the beginning of the year just sort of lends itself to a fresh start in a lot of ways.

 

In my journey with Christ, I’ve learned that it’s important to make daily resolutions.  The resolution to spend more time in His Presence.  The resolution to hear His voice more clearly.  The resolution to submit my life to Him…every day.  I want Him to reveal Himself to me in new and fresh ways each day.  I know that resolving to grow closer to Him just once now at the beginning of the year will probably not be enough.  I need to renew that resolution every day throughout the year.  I’m excited to see what He does in my life this year and to hear about what He does in yours!