The Guidance/Input

1. Guiding Deck: Dream Session 2010-04-24
2. Book Highlights: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller
3. Men for Marriage (for men only)
4. Living a Good Story, an Alternative to New Years Resolutions
5. Let Story Guide You [MP3 Excerpt (2MB)]
6. Facing the Giants [YouTube, MP4 (13MB)]
7. The Best Motivation Video [YouTube, MP4 (3MB)]
8. Lecrae - Go Hard [YouTube, MP4 (9MB)]
9. Disney Pixar Up! - Married Life, Carl & Ellie [YouTube, MP4 (66MB)]
10. Randy Pausch - Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams [YouTube, FLV (229MB)]

In Action

Results

We each leave the time with a list of goals, dreams, ambitions and new friends. We realize that wanting to have lived a good life requires intention throughout. We have looked at each other's goals and have figured out ways to take the next step for each other. We are connecting our friends with other friends and colleagues; we are affirming dreams; we are coming alongside our new friends to pursue the same dreams - together!

Next next step is accountability. We'll need to make sure that we all take the time to move on the next step:

• Develop the plan
• Call the friend, relative or connection
• Do the research and move in the direction we know to be right

There seems to be some demand for another one of these sessions from some friends who weren't able to attend. We'll see what happens - who wants to spearhead the next one? Follow your dreams and make simple things like this happen!

What does it look like to let go of the stresses of my life?  For me, I am left to wonder about life when circumstances, pain, and uncertainty hit close to home.  When this happens, how do I react?  First, I am frustrated at first that things are out of my control.  I then question God about what is going on - I want to understand; I want to feel like life (a.k.a. God) is fair.  Finally, my God reminds me who He is, His nature, and where I need to be.  It's then up to me to make the decision as to how I will react.

This is my second audio-blog which was recorded on my drive home from the hospital after my mom's surgery.  Enjoy the background music and the noise of the car ride for the 9:32 of this audio-blog.

Audio-blog: I trust you

How amazing is this - God loves me despite of my future.  He loves me right now even though he knows I will reject him, I will backstab, I will lie to his face, I will live an adulterous lifestyle worshiping the things of this world (His creation and not the Creator), I will abandon Him, I will...

This idea isn't too hard for me to grasp until I begin to personalize it.  For, this is intensely personal to God and I need to empathize a little to grasp God's profound love.  So, would I love anybody with such fervor, devotion, and unrestrained selflessness if I know that the object of supreme affection and dedication would betray me in a few short days, months, or years?  How can I love somebody when I know (s)he is going to betray that love?  How can I love when I know that love will be taken for granted, forgotten, rejected, and even scorned?  Would I marry somebody if I absolutely knew all of her flaws, when she would reject me, that she would live adulterously, that she would abandon me, divorce me and marry another, that she would backstab, that she wasn't completely committed, that she would not love in return?  How could I?  I do not know; but, I know it's not possible for me to do that (without the divine intervention of my God).

Here we are, each of us, with the truth that God loves us despite of our future.  He remains completely committed, continuously pouring out himself selflessly.  His love is so deep; it's incomprehensible (like really, give it a try).  He chooses to love when he already knows the future pain, rejection, and heartache he must endure.  What am amazing God we have.  May we glorify His name throughout the world and at all times.

I have had well-meaning friends desire to "help" me. It's real sweet. It is really is. Very admirable, caring, loving, etc. It's awesome. But, honestly, who can help me. Somebody who is going where I am going can help me. Somebody who has been where I want to be. That is who can help me. Dreams, aspirations, visions, desires, and fantasies do not change the facts. Life is a journey with a destination.

So, what is it that I need now? I need to move into living life rather than doing life.

The other really annoying thing is that I feel totally worthless without attention from others. It's like the most pathetic thing in the world to say. I mean, doesn't that sound totally vain? What if I didn't get attention from those around me? What if I went to a party and knew nobody? What if I was around a bunch of people I thought were friends and they were all talking to each other and not me? What if somebody did talk to me and I felt like it was totally superficial? I mean, I get pretty fed up with the world and everybody. Without attention, I begin to assume, stereotype, and criticize each person around me for not being real, or authentic, or caring, or having any positive characteristics. I begin to identify flaws in others – oh, they are superficial, materialistic, or a phony/poser. Or maybe these others have deep-seeded issues, like identity issues, a need to be seen as perfect or nice or considerate or together or fashionable or cultured or smart or athletic or friendly or whatever else.

What is wrong with me!?!? Seriously, where do I get off having these thoughts? I am the one with the issue. I am somehow all screwed up. Why? How? Is there a resolution?

Pursuing: The contentedness in existence. The security in the uncertainty. The thrill of the unknown. The fun in monotony. The excitement of being alone. The fulfillment without accomplishment. The confidence without others' approval.

God knows. God cares. God changes me. I am the problem – not others.

God, change me. I am so selfish to desire you to change others to fit my desires. Kill this me that isn't me. I'm spent.

If this is confusing, doesn't make sense or whatever then disregard. Otherwise, hope it's interesting and provides insight into what's going on in my life in some weird way. I need to get some of these deep issues out of the way. Time away. Time alone. Time of fear.

I'm searching for restoration. Frustrations are great because change comes.

Stop. Reflect, Listen. Ponder. Question. Desire. Change. Move. Radical.

............

I was asked this question by a friend of mine. I'm not sure how to best address this, but here goes.

Your question says "you" - meaning that you are asking me and not asking for the general population or even for you. As such, I can make a best attempt to answer that question. If you are looking for something more broad, then I doubt anything I have to say is useful.

Then I can answer very simply that in fact I cannot fully trust God with my life, that I don't truly give up on my own hopes, dreams, plans, and fears. Of course, that answer isn't very interesting. Fully and truly imply perfection which is something that I have not (and don't think I will) been able to do.

But the question you are asking is how do I choose to relinquish control over my destiny. And well, that's very easy. I've tried very hard to control my destiny and messed everything up. I'm a terrible chooser. And then on top of that, I manipulated many to no avail. So much work, effort, and everything for misery. Matt 6:33 comes in with a promise. Seek God first (his will and perfection) and God will take care of everything else. So what does that mean? It means that I don't seek my goals, dreams, hopes, etc anymore, but God. And the thing is that my own dreams and plans really aren't that great. Accomplishing the goals are not fulfilling. God actually has bigger, better, and more fun goals for me. He has a destiny that full of joy and fulfillment. Mine is merely theoretical and filled with expectations that aren't met. God never does not exceed expectations.

Finally, I am very trusting by nature. I'm not sure why. I am one who generally will look for the good intentions of a decision or situation. I will give people the "benefit of the doubt." I am nearly always instantly forgiving and with difficulty do I hold grudges. So, I recognize that by nature some things are much easier for me than others and then some things are much harder for me than for others.

Trust is easy. Pride is such a hindrance. Are not goals, dreams, etc only a manifestation of pride. What good are accomplishments expect for my glory? Can I do my own will and then give credit to God? Of course not, he was not in the action.

And, as I have been in God's will, life has been better than the greatest of my accomplishments. It's just so much better although difficult to learn humility and self-denial (both characteristics/disciplines we are learning about this week and last). But, what joy awaits.

You may have heard me say this before, but "you never know what is on the other side of obedience." This is something that I heard from somebody and I love it. Just obey God and let me take care of the rest. You don't know what that looks like but you can rest in knowing it is what is the best and what will make you the happiest.