I have not posted anything here that is Christian / spiritually related in awhile, so I will preface this with the comment that if you are subscribed to this blog and prefer to just receive/read things that are educational technology related (which tends to be the lion’s share of what I post), I do have a separate RSS feed just for those edtech posts you can use. This is included on the sidebar of my blog, as the link “syndicate edtech.”
However, one of the things I love about blogging is the freedom it provides me to both express myself and share my thoughts with others, as well as write for myself. I really believe that the process of creating authentic knowledge products– a category in which I include reflective blogs and podcasts– are vital ingredients in my own formula for continuing education and professional development. Through my own writing, speaking and reflection, I further refine my own thinking and importantly have an opportunity to get feedback and ideas from others via the interactive tools we refer to as the read/write web.
So, with that preface stated, I will observe that writing about my own spiritual development is an essential part of who I am and the person into whom I am continuing to be transformed. This morning I am working at Daybreak Coffee Roasters here in Lubbock, and have just made a list of twelve different things I need to accomplish, some related to my doctoral research and upcoming proposal, most related to educational technology projects I am working on or committed to do in upcoming weeks.
Before launching into this work, however, I have read and reflected on a wonderful passage from Paul’s letter to the Philippians that I want to write about, reflect on and share. Yesterday driving home from work, I listened to part of Erwin McManus’ message at Mosaic Church in LA from October 30th, entitled “Extraordinary Strength.” This is available on the Mosaic podcast. Erwin is a charismatic and gifted Christian pastor, leader, and thinker I had the opportunity to hear at a Promisekeepers event several years ago. Here is the passage I read today that has inspired me for the work that lays ahead, both today and in the week to come:
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again– rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me– everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
This quotation is from Philippians 4:4-9, in the New Living Translation of the Bible I now carry with me. The passages that speak most directly to me right now are “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” and “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.” Given the week I had, and the tasks which lay before me, these are exhortations I deeply need, and will be following this day and in the days to come.
We all have so many petty distractions that seek to drag us down into a culture filled with dissatisfaction, complaints, and unhappiness. I refuse to allow myself to be given over to that culture of negativity. There are so many blessings in my life, so many reasons why I truly am doing so much “better than I deserve”– and this day I choose to focus my mind and attention on those gifts.
This has been a hard, challenging week for me. People can be so petty and ridiculous as they seek to extend their power over others, or build-up their own perception of themselves or the outward appearance they project for the world to see. It is very frustrating and trying for me to deal with many of the situations I currently deal with (and will not detail specifically here)– but I know there are lessons here which I need to learn, and their is power available from Him who can do all things to enable me to transcend and move beyond all the ridiculous pettiness. Extraordinary strength, in fact, as Erwin discussed in his message last Sunday. That is my prayer this day: a prayer not only for strength, but also for wisdom to discern, the patience to understand and wait, and the ability to choose those things upon which I should focus my mind and attention. As my good friend Bill Casebeer would ask, how do I want to spend my heartbeats today? I will choose to work, but I will also choose to play, and in both activities I will choose to rejoice.
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On this day..
- How I’m Voting and Prepared to Vote in Oklahoma City November 6, 2018 – 2018
- 3rd Grade Narrated Art About Bats – 2012
- Crescent Public Schools: A Beacon for Oklahoma Education – 2008
- Listening to Jeff Utecht from Kuala Lumpur – 2007
- A big screen! – 2007
- Social Bookmarking with Del.icio.us: It’s about Information, Collaboration, and Access – 2007
- Free web-based audio conferencing – 2007
- No Ustream today – 2007
- ODLA Keynote Monday – Live and Recorded – 2007
- Dan Schmidt keynote: Beyond4Walls – 2006