Resources/Tools vs. Idols

He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak... It is man’s fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread.
 
But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.”

From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, “Save me; you are my god.”
Isaiah 44:14-17 (see also Is. 46:4-9)

I’m reminded this morning of the balance/line between using the resources God has given me for sustenance/blessing vs. worshiping or relying on these resources for security. I find myself so often chasing after the idols of this world (money, security, social standing,…). The key isn’t to simply reject the world and run away from all things worldly, rather it is to use what God has given or blessed us with for our needs as well as for His Glory, for His kingdom.

I find that the more I chase after God, the more my worry of what is to come as well as my desire to worship the idols of this world fades.

“God, save me from my desires that are contrary to Your ways, YOU are my God. I give you back the things of this world, teach me to use them to bless people and bring You glory.”

Theology

I love theology. I read textbooks on theology at night before I go to bed (yes, I'm a dork). But I read this quote on Alan Hirsch's blog and I think it is a fantastic reminder:

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“Every concept formed by the intellect in an attempt to comprehend and circumscribe the divine nature can succeed only in fashioning an idol, not in making God known.” - Gregory of Nyssa, “Life of Moses” -

Our ideas about God are only meant to direct our attention toward God, who is always greater than our ideas.
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Wow, now that is an awesome reminder!

12-gauge

This is a fair warning to all you 3-year-old boys who will one day be 16-years-old. This girl's father owns a 12-gauge.

Benny Bear

My boy Ben is right now singing along with "You Never Let Go" by the David Crowder Band. It's about God's love and faithfulness in every situation. The closing lyrics are:

Oh, what love, oh, what love
Oh, what love, oh, what love
In joy and pain, In sun and rain
You're the same
Oh, You never let go

My heart is breaking right now. This boy of mine has been through hell and back; this world has been so very unkind to him. It's not my place to share his details in a blog like this, but to see his smile every day, to see the love he has for life, the love he has for me as his earthly father.... I am a blessed man. Ben, you mean the world to me!

the Future

Just scattered thoughts here (read the title of my blog)

My wife and I have been part of a team that is exploring church planting for our church. And I must tell you, this has been such a neat time for her & I as we dream and talk about what God is up to.

I had lunch with a friend of mine today (and his wife and 6 month old baby girl, way cute), and he/they were sharing how there are no church's anywhere near their home (and that it's an area that is young and really growing).  And my heart started going real fast.... 

We (my wife and I and the team we are on) have been reading a book by Ed Stetzer titled Planting Missional Churches, it's messing with me on many levels; in a very good way.

(my wife just sent me an email containing a link to a little cape cod that's for sale in the above mentioned area)

I have no clue what God is up to; but I can tell you that it's a privilege to serve Him and His Kingdom.

More to come I'm sure,

Keith

BareFootWorld - Getting a Dream off the Ground

Well, it seems like the rebates for wells post is getting off the ground... very exciting. I (and others that I do life with) have had a dream for a while about a non-profit organization; it's slowly leaving the dream stage and materializing. Since the previous post is getting some traction, we've decided to get the dream out there. SO, if you commented on the previous post, or are intrigued by the previous post, or just bored and want to give critical feedback on a new site, GO TO THE FOLLOWING LINK:

BareFootWorld.org



Thanks,... could be a fun ride.

And please, spread the word. Tell folks about this. Together we can really make a difference. there are tens of thousands of people who die daily because they lack access to clean water; this is a small but powerful step in helping change that.

Thanks, I guess...

I don't get our limited world view . So, because of misguided banks (bad lending principles) and consumers that can't practice delayed gratification (credit card debt), the economy is tanking a bit. What I don't understand is why this justifies the American people receiving $170 billion dollars over the next 2 months in rebates (I know, it's our tax money to start with)... not only does that put our country into a further spending deficit (and is so short sighted in how to fix an economy); but it is just a bad spend of money in the grand scheme of things (grand scheme being humanity, not just folks under our American flag)

Personally, instead of my wife and I each getting a $600 rebate check, why not end the world water shortage?

Did you know that the UN estimates that 25,000 people die EACH DAY (that's eight 9/11 tragedies every day) because they lack access to clean water. They also estimate that $52 billion/year would provide the infrastructure to provide clean water to these folks. (WHO&UNICEF; Global Water Supply and Sanitation Assessment 2000 Report).

thanks for the money back uncle sam.... it could have gone toward saving 25,000 folks a day for the next three years. Guess I'll go get an xBox to spur on the economy (that last sentence is sarcasm, just incase it's not clear).

Maybe we (anyone who is reading this) should start a non-profit fund for folks to give some/all of their rebate check to water relief organizations (ex. http://1000wells.com/).

Anyone want to join me in that?