Finally…
Well… I’ve finally gotten around to posting again… (Not that anyone is actually reading any more since I keep starting/stopping…).
Anyhow, Men’s Retreat was a couple of weeks ago & one of the points that was presented was that the effects of this retreat would be seen 6 weeks from now, not tomorrow. If something hasn’t changed long-term, then all the weekend was, was a bunch of guys singing & listening to a “good speaker” & then getting back to their lives. I almost want to say that is harsh, but it’s right on.
What did I learn from that weekend? (Did I learn anything?) What am I willing to do with what I’ve learned? Is it going to change my life, or is it just going to be another “lesson” I listened to?
I’m not really sure of any of the answers to those questions, but I know I’ve been challenged to be “The Light of The World”… How am I supposed to do/be that?
For starters, I should probably stop being such an arrogant jerk all the time… I have a bad habit of snapping back with “witty”/sarcastic remarks & that tends to get me in trouble because not everyone thinks that way, or receives it the same. I tend to hurt Melisa’s feelings with that side of me & that’s the last thing I want to do… Much less to teach Taven to act like that.
Anyhow, what would you do? To be the light of the world… What would you do, that your only explanation could be that “You’re the light of the World”?
The example we were given at the retreat was a bit extravagant for most people… It involved the willingness/ability to front the money (no matter the cost) for a woman’s dental surgery. Not everyone can do such a thing, but we were challenged to find & perform an act which can only be explained by the statement “Because I’m the light of the “World”.
What could you do? (No really… That’s what the comments section is for… Tell me!).
I’m still looking for my opportunity. I’m just afraid it’s staring me right in the face & that I’m overlooking it.
Date posted: Monday, November 20th, 2006 11:01 PM | Under category: Fun Stuff / Stories
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Well, son.
The search for the ‘Inner Light’ is a good starting point. I gather from the post above that you already realize that a strong personal will (sometimes identified as jerky behavior) does tend to make an already rough road even tougher to navigate. In other words, if there is already conflict of some kind, the quick wit tends to make it worse. You realize that, and that is the first step in changing it.
Who are the people you look up to? A good place to start. Who, in your opinion ‘Lights up the world’ around them? Even in the smallest degree. There are people I know, just knowing they are out there, give me hope. Let’s see if I can make better sence of that.——–If I were in need,— of what ever,—- I know I could count on them for help or an answer. EVEN IF THE ANSWER IS NO. Or an answer that may be hard to swallow.
It’s always up to us to do what is right with the answers we are given. We are given answers every day. The ones we more often look for are the ‘Follow me’ messages. Some of the answers or lessons are “DON’T follow me”
OK here is a little something out of the Blue. Your sister Renee, just this second brought me a little kid book on prayer. It’s called “Prayers for Friends”Â. With that I don’t think I can top your sister in listening to the still small voice that motivated her to bring that book to me.
“With our friends we sing him praises,
With our faces lifted towards the sky.
With him we can do anything, Praise him, our God on high”Â
And hold on to your hat. Your Grand Mother, is in the other room, is playing the piano.
The song ——– “Because I have been Given Much”
“Because I have been given much, I too must give;
Because of thy great bounty, each day I live
I shall divide my gifts from thee With ev’ry brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me.”
“Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care,
I cannot see another’s lack and I not share
My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, My roof’s safe shelter overhead
That he too may be comforted.”
“Because I have been blessed by thy great love , dear lord,
I’ll share thy love again according to thy word.
I shall give love to those in need; I’ll show that love by word and deed:
Thus shall my thanks be thanks in deed.”
Not much more I can add to all that.
Love
Dad