References:
• 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 NAS
• Galatians 6:10-18 NAS
The other day, my wife went outside to work in our yard. It is something that she really loves to do. In fact, if the weather is decent and there are not other pressing things to do, she will often work outside when given the chance. Although I enjoy being outside and enjoying nature, doing yard work, gardening, etc., are things that I do not enjoy at all. It is something that I really appreciate about my wife.
It is interesting to me that Easter is in the Spring. Interesting and awesome, in my opinion. Think about it. In Spring, we celebrate plants seemingly ‘come back to life.’ Grass becomes green again, deciduous trees start budding and new leaves come out, the days become warmer, the days become longer, flowers start to appear and bloom, etc. It can almost be like the world is ‘coming back to life!’
During Easter, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who was fully Man and fully Divine, so that our sins could be forgiven and we could have a new life. As Christians, we believe that so that a sinful person could have a personal relationship with a holy and righteous God, something had to atone for our sins. Because of God’s great and unfathomable love for us, He chose to take our place on that cross.
Think about it… A holy and righteous God cared so much for a fallen and rebellious people that He took our place! Here is a way to put it into context. Imagine a person who lives an abundant life, caring and loving others, lives with integrity, is always honest and speaks in a compassionate manner. Does this not sound like someone who you would want to emulate?
Now, say an evil man or woman, who has tortured and killed many people is finally arrested. This particular person is accused of torturing and killing more than 30 people who did noting wrong. In fact, this evil person went out of their way to find people who sought to live a good life to murder in very painful, even excruciating ways, making it last days if possible. This person is tried and found guilty and has earned the death penalty because of the horrendous crimes that he/she has committed. And, let’s assume that there is absolutely no question of his/her guilt because this person was so evil at heart that he/she videotaped many of their ‘sessions,’ DNA evidence clearly links this person to the numerous crimes, etc. You probably expect, even hope, that such a person would be “thrown in prison and that they throw away the key” at the very least, if not publicly execute him/her for all of the evil that he/she did.
Now, let’s say that the ‘righteous man,’ the outstanding citizen mentioned above, chooses to have compassion on this evil person, who is now pleading for mercy and swearing that he/she will totally change their ways. This ‘righteous person’ not only pleads with the judge for clemency for the wicked person, but voluntarily will take their place with the death sentence. If you were the judge, would you accept this man’s offer? If you were one of the victims of this ‘monster,’ would you be willing to accept the ‘righteous man’s offer’ to take place of the man or woman who was, without question, found guilty of torturing and killing your loved one?!
If this sounds to horrendous to consider, that’s the point. Because, whether or not we want to believe it, we are all like that ‘horrendous and evil killer.’ Why? Because in thought, word, and deed, we rebel against God’s authority in our lives and ‘murder’ others in our hearts by hating others. We all break each and every one of God’s 10 Commandments in thought, word, and deed, each and every day of our lives. Each of us.
As a holy and righteous God, when Adam and Eve first sinned, God would have been justified in permanently ending our existence right then and there. Or God could have chosen to have done nothing and allow us to perpetually live separated from Him in this life and in eternity. Instead, God allowed us to endure the consequences of our sins by being physically alive and spiritual dead until He could, at the right time, remove the consequences of our sins for those who trust in Him and His forgiving love. There is a cost for us, though. In exchange for receiving His free grace, God expects us to repent of our sins and to turn away from them. We are not alone in doing this, though. Upon repenting of our wickedness and receiving God’s love and grace, He in turn dwells within us via His Holy Spirit. In living through us, God helps us to change, learn and grow in faith and become more like Him.
Imagine that… Though we are broken, have wicked hearts with evil intentions, and by nature do not want to obey God, He wants to change us. That is what we celebrate this Easter. It’s not about colorfully decorated eggs, it’s not about a bunny delivering baskets (Hasenpfeffer, anyone?!), it’s about God taking our sins upon Himself so that we could live with Him for eternity.
Showing posts with label gift. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gift. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Thoughts and Feelings, So Thorough
Thoughts flowing freely, unhindered, carefree;
going this way, that way,
unhindered and free.
Anger and frustration, mine or soaked up?
Now they ease, fade to the distance,
thoughts and feelings are now more clear…
Time passes, not paying attention…
Stresses and frustration, mine or others,
are finally fading away.
Sometimes I go for a long walk.
Sometimes I read, sometimes watch tv.
Sometimes, only in quiet stillness they leave.
Although through the day, talking and interacting,
things build up, they're soaked up.
Now, processed, examined, set free.
Many times I spend long hours
trying to sort through all that I feelings
examining this way and that.
At times I will rehearse conversations,
trying different approaches,
hearing their voices, feeling their mannerisms…
Trying out different ideas, mental role-playing,
knowing their patters, their tendencies…
How to address? Is it worth it?
Seconding guessing all these thoughts,
present plans, future plans…
What will work? Will it all fail?
While walking, while resting, while sleeping or eating,
my thoughts will often wonder
this way, that way, where ever.
From past conversations to future expectations
they are examined, processed
no mental stone left unturned.
Good possibilities, bad possibilities,
all are considered, analyzed.
Which one more? God only knows!
Approached by someone, asked if I have a little time.
A heart hurts, mind is confused,
or a burdened needs to be shared.
Sometimes this is totally expected.
Other times a great surprise.
But helping is my calling, so listen I will.
I listen to their words, spoken or not.
Sense their emotions, even draw them in.
I filter all they share, through heart and mind.
As time goes by, conversation wanes.
They feel calmer, heart is lighter.
Do I have anything wise to say?
Their problems, experiences, sorted and sifted,
and analyzed within my mind.
Thoughts and feelings, mesh with mine.
A thought, an idea, or even my own deeds,
sifted through, maybe shared,
or just gentle quiet of a burden shared.
We part and I continue sifting and sorting,
their thoughts, feelings I felt, even absorbed.
Gradually the mess is made into sense.
Though I rejoice that a life was touched,
God has blessed through me,
I am tired, or even exhausted.
My day is still young, much yet to do.
A silent prayer for guidance, energy, focus;
till I can finally, fully rest.
RC Underwood
20SEP2015
going this way, that way,
unhindered and free.
Anger and frustration, mine or soaked up?
Now they ease, fade to the distance,
thoughts and feelings are now more clear…
Time passes, not paying attention…
Stresses and frustration, mine or others,
are finally fading away.
Sometimes I go for a long walk.
Sometimes I read, sometimes watch tv.
Sometimes, only in quiet stillness they leave.
Although through the day, talking and interacting,
things build up, they're soaked up.
Now, processed, examined, set free.
Many times I spend long hours
trying to sort through all that I feelings
examining this way and that.
At times I will rehearse conversations,
trying different approaches,
hearing their voices, feeling their mannerisms…
Trying out different ideas, mental role-playing,
knowing their patters, their tendencies…
How to address? Is it worth it?
Seconding guessing all these thoughts,
present plans, future plans…
What will work? Will it all fail?
While walking, while resting, while sleeping or eating,
my thoughts will often wonder
this way, that way, where ever.
From past conversations to future expectations
they are examined, processed
no mental stone left unturned.
Good possibilities, bad possibilities,
all are considered, analyzed.
Which one more? God only knows!
Approached by someone, asked if I have a little time.
A heart hurts, mind is confused,
or a burdened needs to be shared.
Sometimes this is totally expected.
Other times a great surprise.
But helping is my calling, so listen I will.
I listen to their words, spoken or not.
Sense their emotions, even draw them in.
I filter all they share, through heart and mind.
As time goes by, conversation wanes.
They feel calmer, heart is lighter.
Do I have anything wise to say?
Their problems, experiences, sorted and sifted,
and analyzed within my mind.
Thoughts and feelings, mesh with mine.
A thought, an idea, or even my own deeds,
sifted through, maybe shared,
or just gentle quiet of a burden shared.
We part and I continue sifting and sorting,
their thoughts, feelings I felt, even absorbed.
Gradually the mess is made into sense.
Though I rejoice that a life was touched,
God has blessed through me,
I am tired, or even exhausted.
My day is still young, much yet to do.
A silent prayer for guidance, energy, focus;
till I can finally, fully rest.
RC Underwood
20SEP2015
Friday, September 18, 2015
Sensing God Speaking
References:
- 1 Kings 19:9-13 NAS
I don't know about any of you out there, but growing up I was teased quite a bit. Because I was introverted, have always had a very vivid imagination, didn't care to hang out with big groups of people, and wasn't all that interested in sports, many kids made fun of me. They could not understand why I did not want to be like them. Although it sometimes hurt a lot, I always felt that I needed to be true to who I was, even if I didn't fully understand it.
One of the benefits of being an INFJ is the 'internal compass' that I possess. Since I more often make decisions on 'what feels right' instead of 'facts,' this 'internal compass' features prominently in my decision making process. That is not to say that I don't consider facts, I definitely do. But, my instincts, or the 'internal compass,' is what I used to make a final decision. Usually the facts and my instincts agree. Sometimes, though, they don't.
After I gave my life to Christ in 1994, I slowly realized that God would use my instincts to direct me to do things. It was His way of speaking to me. Almost like a voice at times. Not a voice I could hear, but a 'voice I could just feel.' Sometimes it was direction to speak with someone, sometimes it would be direction to address something in a class, other times it was “just be quiet for now...” Whether I understood it or not, I strove to respond as I felt God directing me.
This 'listening to my instincts' is not an easy thing to do. Especially when one typically 'feels' his environment as he or she is looking at it. It is an on going challenge to discern what I actually feel, what I am gathering from my environment, as well as what I am seeing. On top of that, what people say and/or do doesn't always match up with what I am perceiving. This is particularly frustrating. Since what I am perceiving isn't something that can be measured, many people blow it off. This can make any sensing person wondering if they are perceiving things right.
Because of challenges in seminary and how things are typically done in the military, I started relying on my intuition less and less. Instead I focused more and more on just my other senses, like sight, touch, hearing, etc. For years I did this and did okay. Since I trusted my 'sixth sense' less and less, I became less and less aware of it. However, one thing that I could not turn off was the fact that I could sense how people were feeling. Although I might be ignoring these cues, I still could feel it.
During this time, I couldn't understand why some days would leave me so extremely exhausted. I would work with someone who was extremely upset or frustrated, and then I would feel that way for hours afterward. There were times I was having a really good day, but then I would either have to work with someone who was really upset about something, or just be near him or her for a while. Not always, but many times, I would start feeling that way and just couldn't understand it.
Eventually I left Active Duty and sought a career in the civilian world. Although I did not want to work for the Nebraska Department of Corrections, I eventually did apply and was subsequently hired. It was a difficult job for me, but one I could do. Through out this time, I would prayerfully ask God to help me “walk by the Spirit.” That is, to listen carefully to what God was speaking to my heart/spirit, and then to respond as He directed me. What I didn't realize then, but am better understanding now, is that since I had been pushing aside my instincts, I was making it more difficult to sense what God wanted to tell me.
Over the years, there were times where I paid more attention to God's nudges via my instincts. But, it was more often that I didn't. Since both Corrections and Military Law Enforcement stress facts, that is what I focused on. And I continued to have stressful days that should have been good. But yet, I would come home from work either angry or depressed for no reason that I could think of. Or, I would just feel so emotionally exhausted that I had to rest for hours.
One afternoon, maybe two years ago now, I was driving to work and spending some time in focused prayer. I had learned many years before that I really needed to have this quality time with God to physically, emotionally and spiritually prepare myself for the day ahead. During this particular day, I found myself praying to God, “help me feel Your leading, help me listen to my instincts.” Maybe not the exact working, but that is essentially what I prayed. And, I was a bit surprised by that prayer. But, I decided to take a leap of faith and try to listen to my instincts.
What I experienced over the next several weeks as I prayerfully did this is hard to explain. I know it wasn't all at once. But, over time, I started getting impressions of things around me that may or may not match what I was seeing or hearing. But, as I walked in faith, I slowly started better perceiving things around me. Honestly, it is hard to describe it. I will be walking and feel the sense that I need to go to a certain area. Or, I will be watching what is going on around me and all of a sudden my hearing will focus on what someone a ways away is saying. There are times where I will be talking with an inmate or a staff member and just 'know' whether or not they are being honest with me. This is even if they are biting back sarcasm or feeling hurt. I still don't quite know how or why I know, I just due.
Some days, I sense more of what I should write. Sometimes it is what I should say to a person. Or, I will see a person and quickly discern what mood they are in. Other times I will be looking for someone and instinctively know where to go. Other times, I won't sense much at all. Some days I will sense how people are feeling around me, other times I will feel next to nothing. I really don't understand why that is. Perhaps it's God's way of protecting me from being overwhelmed? Maybe my senses know when they need to be active? I really don't know.
About a week ago, I started researching my personality type. As I did, things started to better make sense. Now I better understand why other peoples' emotions can affect me so much. Or, that I can sense things about my environment is something to expect for my personality. I am learning that it is a rare kind of gift and that I need to treasure it. I know that God has used it to impact the lives of many people around me. Even if it's just knowing 'what to pray for.' It is a strange gift, one that sometimes doesn't make much sense. But yet, I am striving to walk in faith with God, trusting that He will help me learn how to use it better and for His glory.
- 1 Kings 19:9-13 NAS
I don't know about any of you out there, but growing up I was teased quite a bit. Because I was introverted, have always had a very vivid imagination, didn't care to hang out with big groups of people, and wasn't all that interested in sports, many kids made fun of me. They could not understand why I did not want to be like them. Although it sometimes hurt a lot, I always felt that I needed to be true to who I was, even if I didn't fully understand it.
One of the benefits of being an INFJ is the 'internal compass' that I possess. Since I more often make decisions on 'what feels right' instead of 'facts,' this 'internal compass' features prominently in my decision making process. That is not to say that I don't consider facts, I definitely do. But, my instincts, or the 'internal compass,' is what I used to make a final decision. Usually the facts and my instincts agree. Sometimes, though, they don't.
After I gave my life to Christ in 1994, I slowly realized that God would use my instincts to direct me to do things. It was His way of speaking to me. Almost like a voice at times. Not a voice I could hear, but a 'voice I could just feel.' Sometimes it was direction to speak with someone, sometimes it would be direction to address something in a class, other times it was “just be quiet for now...” Whether I understood it or not, I strove to respond as I felt God directing me.
This 'listening to my instincts' is not an easy thing to do. Especially when one typically 'feels' his environment as he or she is looking at it. It is an on going challenge to discern what I actually feel, what I am gathering from my environment, as well as what I am seeing. On top of that, what people say and/or do doesn't always match up with what I am perceiving. This is particularly frustrating. Since what I am perceiving isn't something that can be measured, many people blow it off. This can make any sensing person wondering if they are perceiving things right.
Because of challenges in seminary and how things are typically done in the military, I started relying on my intuition less and less. Instead I focused more and more on just my other senses, like sight, touch, hearing, etc. For years I did this and did okay. Since I trusted my 'sixth sense' less and less, I became less and less aware of it. However, one thing that I could not turn off was the fact that I could sense how people were feeling. Although I might be ignoring these cues, I still could feel it.
During this time, I couldn't understand why some days would leave me so extremely exhausted. I would work with someone who was extremely upset or frustrated, and then I would feel that way for hours afterward. There were times I was having a really good day, but then I would either have to work with someone who was really upset about something, or just be near him or her for a while. Not always, but many times, I would start feeling that way and just couldn't understand it.
Eventually I left Active Duty and sought a career in the civilian world. Although I did not want to work for the Nebraska Department of Corrections, I eventually did apply and was subsequently hired. It was a difficult job for me, but one I could do. Through out this time, I would prayerfully ask God to help me “walk by the Spirit.” That is, to listen carefully to what God was speaking to my heart/spirit, and then to respond as He directed me. What I didn't realize then, but am better understanding now, is that since I had been pushing aside my instincts, I was making it more difficult to sense what God wanted to tell me.
Over the years, there were times where I paid more attention to God's nudges via my instincts. But, it was more often that I didn't. Since both Corrections and Military Law Enforcement stress facts, that is what I focused on. And I continued to have stressful days that should have been good. But yet, I would come home from work either angry or depressed for no reason that I could think of. Or, I would just feel so emotionally exhausted that I had to rest for hours.
One afternoon, maybe two years ago now, I was driving to work and spending some time in focused prayer. I had learned many years before that I really needed to have this quality time with God to physically, emotionally and spiritually prepare myself for the day ahead. During this particular day, I found myself praying to God, “help me feel Your leading, help me listen to my instincts.” Maybe not the exact working, but that is essentially what I prayed. And, I was a bit surprised by that prayer. But, I decided to take a leap of faith and try to listen to my instincts.
What I experienced over the next several weeks as I prayerfully did this is hard to explain. I know it wasn't all at once. But, over time, I started getting impressions of things around me that may or may not match what I was seeing or hearing. But, as I walked in faith, I slowly started better perceiving things around me. Honestly, it is hard to describe it. I will be walking and feel the sense that I need to go to a certain area. Or, I will be watching what is going on around me and all of a sudden my hearing will focus on what someone a ways away is saying. There are times where I will be talking with an inmate or a staff member and just 'know' whether or not they are being honest with me. This is even if they are biting back sarcasm or feeling hurt. I still don't quite know how or why I know, I just due.
Some days, I sense more of what I should write. Sometimes it is what I should say to a person. Or, I will see a person and quickly discern what mood they are in. Other times I will be looking for someone and instinctively know where to go. Other times, I won't sense much at all. Some days I will sense how people are feeling around me, other times I will feel next to nothing. I really don't understand why that is. Perhaps it's God's way of protecting me from being overwhelmed? Maybe my senses know when they need to be active? I really don't know.
About a week ago, I started researching my personality type. As I did, things started to better make sense. Now I better understand why other peoples' emotions can affect me so much. Or, that I can sense things about my environment is something to expect for my personality. I am learning that it is a rare kind of gift and that I need to treasure it. I know that God has used it to impact the lives of many people around me. Even if it's just knowing 'what to pray for.' It is a strange gift, one that sometimes doesn't make much sense. But yet, I am striving to walk in faith with God, trusting that He will help me learn how to use it better and for His glory.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Wonderfully Made
References:
- Psalm 139:7-18 NAS
- Jeremiah 1:1-10 NAS
- Romans 12:3-13 NAS
- Jung Typology Test
- 16 Personalities
After some thinking and praying, I believe that God is calling me to change things just a little bit with my blog. There will be a continued emphasis on seeking to better understand who God is and how He calls us to reach out to those who are lost, hurting, etc. I will also be adding some original poetry and short essays (for me, a 2-4 page essay is short) reflecting on how I perceive life. That way this blog will be a better reflection of who I am, and be an encouragement to others.
For most of you out there, while in school or while at work, you have most likely heard about personalities tests. Some are more for fun, like which movie character you are most like, or what kind of animal you might be, what kind of car matches your personality, etc. Others are more series, like the ones I listed above. There are many personality tests out there, each measuring different things. Their goal is to help a person better understand what kind of personality they have. This is because one's personality influences how a person interprets and interacts with the world around them.
For example, an introvert is more inwardly focused on his/her thoughts. They can be very creative thinkers, making connections and coming up with ideas that others might miss. They are less social than extroverts and prefer to be alone in their thoughts, a good book, etc. In fact, an introvert needs a lot of time alone to recharge themselves emotionally and spiritually so that they can effectively engage the world around them. Whereas extroverts tend to get most of their recharging interacting with others. Neither is better than the other and both are needed.
Some people are more sensing (external stimuli) while others rely more on intuition. Some are either more thinking (logic) or feeling (how they feel they should react). One place to find more in depth information is here. Just as with the Gifts of the Spirit, I believe that God gives each of us different personalities so as to help us all engage the world more effectively. Because each of us perceives the world differently, and engages the world differently, each of us can contribute more to solving things.
Although I didn't know exactly what my personality type was until I was in seminary, I always knew that I was a bit different. Unlike some of my friends, I did very well in academics and was able to come up with some creative ideas. Unlike many friends who craved being around others, I was almost always content with being by myself. Instead of having a large circle of friends, I have always had a few by very close friends. My very vivid imagination was something else that not many friends shared or understood. In fact, I was often considered 'weird' (putting it politely) because of these traits.
While in seminary, I had to take a personality test as part of the ordination process. It was one of many tests that I had to take. The personality test was to help me better understand who I was. It was also to help those guiding me through the ordination process better understand where I would 'best fit.' I was an INFJ (introvert, intuition, feeling, judging). I kind of knew what this meant, but there was a lot that I didn't. One of the things that I didn't understand was that this is the rarest personality type. I also have learned that it is one of the least understood by a large portion of the personality.
As a whole, we have a 'caregiver' personality. We are good at perceiving how others feel and can often perceive how genuine a person is. We love doing creative things like writing, art, listening to music, etc. We want to help others achieve their goals and/or deal with their problems. One of the things that really sets us apart is the fact that we have very strong inner sense of what is right and what is wrong. We are typically not a confrontational type, but challenging something like our intentions or moral value is something that can set us off.
I don't know how many times I have been brushed to the side because I do not socialize like many others do, or because I often spend time in deep thought. There have been times where others have questioned my intelligence because I could not remember certain specific details about an event. Since I perceive things more through impressions, I remember the details of how I felt and what I noticed of others. Not their clothes, names, etc., but how they were acting, whether they were in a good mood, etc. Although I have grown used to this, it is still not pleasant to experience.
I recently came across a really helpful site called Introvert, Dear. It is full of resources for those of us who are introverts. And, it also has sub categories for different aspects of life and for different personality types. I also recently joined a Facebook group called INFJ Refuge. With these resources, I hope to gain an even better understanding of how I interpret and interact with the world. I also hope to help others learn to be all that they can be as an INFJ.
This is also why I am adding such reflections into my blog. Although we are a very small part of the population, there are many with this personality scattered out there in the world. It is my hope and prayer that some of my reflections of faith and on my personality can be helpful to them. I also hope to help others better understand how some of us interpret the world around us. God created each of us differently for a reason. He wants each of us to contribute in unique ways to the world around us. Sometimes, it can be hard to understand how others can contribute. It is a continuous journey that we all take. Let us strive to encourage one another to do so with committed love.
- Psalm 139:7-18 NAS
- Jeremiah 1:1-10 NAS
- Romans 12:3-13 NAS
- Jung Typology Test
- 16 Personalities
After some thinking and praying, I believe that God is calling me to change things just a little bit with my blog. There will be a continued emphasis on seeking to better understand who God is and how He calls us to reach out to those who are lost, hurting, etc. I will also be adding some original poetry and short essays (for me, a 2-4 page essay is short) reflecting on how I perceive life. That way this blog will be a better reflection of who I am, and be an encouragement to others.
For most of you out there, while in school or while at work, you have most likely heard about personalities tests. Some are more for fun, like which movie character you are most like, or what kind of animal you might be, what kind of car matches your personality, etc. Others are more series, like the ones I listed above. There are many personality tests out there, each measuring different things. Their goal is to help a person better understand what kind of personality they have. This is because one's personality influences how a person interprets and interacts with the world around them.
For example, an introvert is more inwardly focused on his/her thoughts. They can be very creative thinkers, making connections and coming up with ideas that others might miss. They are less social than extroverts and prefer to be alone in their thoughts, a good book, etc. In fact, an introvert needs a lot of time alone to recharge themselves emotionally and spiritually so that they can effectively engage the world around them. Whereas extroverts tend to get most of their recharging interacting with others. Neither is better than the other and both are needed.
Some people are more sensing (external stimuli) while others rely more on intuition. Some are either more thinking (logic) or feeling (how they feel they should react). One place to find more in depth information is here. Just as with the Gifts of the Spirit, I believe that God gives each of us different personalities so as to help us all engage the world more effectively. Because each of us perceives the world differently, and engages the world differently, each of us can contribute more to solving things.
Although I didn't know exactly what my personality type was until I was in seminary, I always knew that I was a bit different. Unlike some of my friends, I did very well in academics and was able to come up with some creative ideas. Unlike many friends who craved being around others, I was almost always content with being by myself. Instead of having a large circle of friends, I have always had a few by very close friends. My very vivid imagination was something else that not many friends shared or understood. In fact, I was often considered 'weird' (putting it politely) because of these traits.
While in seminary, I had to take a personality test as part of the ordination process. It was one of many tests that I had to take. The personality test was to help me better understand who I was. It was also to help those guiding me through the ordination process better understand where I would 'best fit.' I was an INFJ (introvert, intuition, feeling, judging). I kind of knew what this meant, but there was a lot that I didn't. One of the things that I didn't understand was that this is the rarest personality type. I also have learned that it is one of the least understood by a large portion of the personality.
As a whole, we have a 'caregiver' personality. We are good at perceiving how others feel and can often perceive how genuine a person is. We love doing creative things like writing, art, listening to music, etc. We want to help others achieve their goals and/or deal with their problems. One of the things that really sets us apart is the fact that we have very strong inner sense of what is right and what is wrong. We are typically not a confrontational type, but challenging something like our intentions or moral value is something that can set us off.
I don't know how many times I have been brushed to the side because I do not socialize like many others do, or because I often spend time in deep thought. There have been times where others have questioned my intelligence because I could not remember certain specific details about an event. Since I perceive things more through impressions, I remember the details of how I felt and what I noticed of others. Not their clothes, names, etc., but how they were acting, whether they were in a good mood, etc. Although I have grown used to this, it is still not pleasant to experience.
I recently came across a really helpful site called Introvert, Dear. It is full of resources for those of us who are introverts. And, it also has sub categories for different aspects of life and for different personality types. I also recently joined a Facebook group called INFJ Refuge. With these resources, I hope to gain an even better understanding of how I interpret and interact with the world. I also hope to help others learn to be all that they can be as an INFJ.
This is also why I am adding such reflections into my blog. Although we are a very small part of the population, there are many with this personality scattered out there in the world. It is my hope and prayer that some of my reflections of faith and on my personality can be helpful to them. I also hope to help others better understand how some of us interpret the world around us. God created each of us differently for a reason. He wants each of us to contribute in unique ways to the world around us. Sometimes, it can be hard to understand how others can contribute. It is a continuous journey that we all take. Let us strive to encourage one another to do so with committed love.
Saturday, September 12, 2015
The Art of Creating
References:
- Genesis 1; Genesis 2
- John 1:1-18 NAS
- Dickblick art supplies
- Pebble Mosaic idea
- German artist Albrecht Durer
I have a question for you… What do you get when two shutterbugs get married and go off to a State Park for their honeymoon? Answer… A lot of joking banter of whose turn it was to use the camera and almost 1,000 pictures taken within a week. Granted, we were using a digital camera so we didn't have to buy film, but still… That is a lot of pictures, isn't it?
Thing is, that is my wife and myself. We love taking pictures. She has taken an actual photography course on the science behind good photography. I, on the other hand, have not. My use of the camera has been primarily to recording significant events (like pictures of family and friends, vacations, holidays, etc.) and to gather possible references for drawings or paintings. Yes, I do love art. I have taken an art class just about every year of middle school, high school, and college. I am definitely not a Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Raphael, Leonardo, Michelangelo (and I don't mean TMNT), or an Albrecht Durer. But, I do have good artistic talent. I have never tried pursuing art as a career, just as a way to express myself.
I have worked with many different mediums, or types of art. For example, I have done a lot with charcoal, pastels, pen and ink, ceramics, painting, etc. For what ever reason, I don't seem to be as strong working with colors as I am working with black-n-white mediums. That is, my quality of work is not as good when I working with colors, like pastels, as it is working in black-n-white, charcoal for example. Usually I will use a reference for my art work. It can either been a photograph that I have taken, a picture from a magazine, or a still-life that I put together. Sometimes I draw from my imagination.
Whether it's drawing, painting, using pastels, or photography, art as a hobby can be expensive. I have no idea how much I have paid in my art supplies over the years. And, I have quite a few supplies! And, I admit, some of them are the cheap end of a certain medium. This is more often the case with my colored pencils or pastels. I don't use them a lot and I am not as strong in that medium. So, I am not going to invest nearly as much money as I would in something like a camera or a pen set. In fact, a good friend of mine in college had a very nice pen set. He was a psychology and art double major and pen-n-ink was one of his favorite mediums to work with. He let me use his pen set for one of my art projects and I fell in love with their quality. I told my parents about it and, the next thing I knew, I had my own set for Christmas. Except it was a 7 pen set. Each pen had a nib of a different thickness, enabling me to draw more exact lines. I still have that pen set today and try to use it on occasion.
Over the last few years, I have done a lot more 'artistic work' with writing than I have with drawing. I have always had good talent with creative writing, be it writing prose or poetry. No, I have not done much in the realm of poetry lately. But, I have done a lot of creative writing over the last few years. This blog is just one example of creative writing for me. I journal at times, though not very regularly. I also have done a lot with sermon and Bible Study writing. For me, they are no different than writing a good story. You have a message to deliver and you have to do it effectively. Although I usually organize my sermons and Bible Studies in an outline form, I have used those outlines to create blog entries on occasion. My blog on Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one example.
We all have artistic skills of some sort. For some, it is cooking. Others are gifted in story telling. Still others are gifted in how they arrange things in the home. Still others are gifted in music, be it singing, playing an instrument, etc. Some have amazing gifts in a certain area, and others don't seem to be 'as strong.' But yet, we all have some sort of artistic talent.
I believe that this is because the God that created the world and all that we see is the Author of 'being creative.' I mean, think about it… Think about the huge variety of animal and plant life that is around you. Ever think how many different kinds of butterflies there are? Or how many different kinds of spiders? Not only do they have very different coloring and size, but their favorite habitat or favorite food greatly differs.
Also taken into consideration how many different shades of skin the human race has! There's black, white, tan (like Asian), medium brown for Native American or Middle Eastern, or black. In fact, there are many variations of each! Not just skin color, but also eye and hair color.
When I look around and the many different kinds of flowers one can see in the Prairie alone, I am amazed. At the Homestead National Monument, they have a large area set aside for allowing the plants that used to grow on the Prairie. Each time I have walked through that area, I have been astounded that the rich variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Needless to say, I have taken many pictures of that area alone. I don't know of anyone who can create like that! Many have tried, and have created wonderful works of art. But yet, to me, nothing a person can do compares to what God has already done.
It amazes me just how talented some people are. It also greatly saddens me when people use their talents to hurt others. For example, some people are very gifted at singing. But, instead of writing songs to inspire others, they write songs to hurt others. The same thing goes with drawing or humor. Instead of using their talents to be a blessing onto others, they use their skills to put others down to feed their own egos or the egos of their 'race.' They use their skills to feed their negative stereotypes and promote more hatred instead of using their gifts to bring people together.
We all have choices to make, and there will always be consequences to our choices. They can either be positive consequences or negative consequences. We can either sow the seeds of love, joy, and peace through the things we do. Or, we can use our time and talents to sow seeds of anger, hatred, discontent. The choice is up to us. Even when we are using art as a way to express the sadness or anger that a person is feeling, care needs to be used with how it is expressed. Sometimes, something has to be drawn or written to put those feelings into down so that they can be processed. But then, because of how hurtful they are, they need to be thrown away, burned, shredded, or the like. As a way of letting go of the anger or sadness that one feels.
As I mentioned earlier, a close friend of mine in college was a dual major in psychology and art. His hope was to use art as a means of helping people to heal. There have been times where I have written a poem or drawn a picture to express what I am feeling. But, because of the nature of what I have written or drawn, and the fact that it is something negative that I am letting go, very few people have seen them. In fact, most were never meant to be shared with others. They were meant as a way of letting go with what I was angry or sad about. Although it hasn't always helped, there have been times where it has. Not just is the act of writing or drawing, but also in the tearing up or shredding. Though I still have the memories, those acts of doing something creative to express them in a controlled manner, and then purposely 'letting them go' has helped to lessen the impact those memories have on me today.
While in seminary, I participated in what is called CPE, Clinical Pastoral Education. Its a type of intense 'on the job training' for doing ministry. Typically, it is done in a high stress environment, like in a prison or hospital. Usually, half the day is spent in a class setting, learning more about ways to minister to those who are hurting. The other half is the actual ministry. I did my CPE at a Level One Trauma hospital in Louisville, Ky. I saw all sorts of people come in with very wide range of sickness and injuries. Some looked like slabs of meat that used to be a person. Others were those who were deathly ill with cancer, poisoning of some sort, or a serious infection. During my time there, I learned that ministering to those who are hurting is a real art. Although there are scientific ideas and research behind different disciplines of ministry, how you apply it is a real art. No two situations are the same. One method of ministering to one person my be extremely effective, all the while being totally ineffective in another situation.
During this time, I learned that times of prayer, either by myself or with others, can be like a form of art. We see that in the Book of Psalms. Some Psalms express deep sadness and distress. Others express great rage at a person or group of people. Others express awe and wonder towards God and all He has created. But, all of them are someone's expression of what they were feeling, written down as a prayer to God. A classmate of mine did a class on prayer that included some hand motions. I have to admit, it I was a bit skeptical of what I would get out of that class. But, I did find it rewarding. From a book she had read, she learned that sometimes, while confessing one's sins and shortcomings, a person should try holding one's hands out, hands open, and facing downwards. The reason for this is you are physically representing the fact that you are trying to let go of something and give it to God. Then, when you are asking for God's help and blessings, you change your hand position. Now, hold your hands straight out or at an upward angle, with your hands held like cups. This is to express your hearts desire of receiving God's blessings. It was an artistic expression of prayer, something that I was impressed with and have used on occasion.
The other night, my wife shared an article with me that she had found on the Internet. In the Facebook post, she asked me if I could see myself doing it. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical of whether I could see myself doing a 'pebble mosaic.' But, as I read through the article, I soon was picturing myself doing just that. Or, at least trying to. I started picturing how I could use something common and every day, like a river pebble, and making something beautiful out of it. Having done some really neat works of art by carving clay, I knew that I could do something in 3D. Might be a bit of a challenge, but not impossible.
But, it also got me thinking about something else. Something very awesome that God does. For those who accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, God becomes even more of an Artist. He takes something that was broken, dull, or even evil, and creates something beautiful out of it. Think about it… A favorite example I like to use is the life of John Newton, the author of the song 'Amazing Grace.' I mean, here was a man who sold fellow human beings into slavery. After his conversion to Christ, God used him to impact the lives of countless millions through his sermons and songs. Eventually, God also used him to help end slave trade in England. Something that used to be a source of income for him, he helped to end. Astounding, isn't it?!
And that is something God can do with each and everyone one of us. If we are willing to allow Him to work in our lives and through us. We can either choose to live life our own way, or we can choose to be God's instruments. One of the main reasons why I have this blog is so that God can touch the lives of others through me. Although it is an effective way for me to express myself creatively, it is more than that. It is a way for me to touch the lives of others. People I may never have been able to impact face-to-face. People that, because of how I write something, or what I feel inspired to write about, can impact them in a way that someone else might not be able to do. On this side of Heaven, I know that I will never fully understand how God has used this blog to touch the lives of others. Just like I will not know, in this life, how a 'chance meeting' to me was something God used to change someone's life. All I can do is walk in faith, trusting that God will use me. And, it is a form of art, I think, to prayerfully and actively walk with God and to be used by Him. Something that takes the common, the uninteresting, even the broken or evil, and something beautiful is made. May that be a reality in your life.
- Genesis 1; Genesis 2
- John 1:1-18 NAS
- Dickblick art supplies
- Pebble Mosaic idea
- German artist Albrecht Durer
I have a question for you… What do you get when two shutterbugs get married and go off to a State Park for their honeymoon? Answer… A lot of joking banter of whose turn it was to use the camera and almost 1,000 pictures taken within a week. Granted, we were using a digital camera so we didn't have to buy film, but still… That is a lot of pictures, isn't it?
Thing is, that is my wife and myself. We love taking pictures. She has taken an actual photography course on the science behind good photography. I, on the other hand, have not. My use of the camera has been primarily to recording significant events (like pictures of family and friends, vacations, holidays, etc.) and to gather possible references for drawings or paintings. Yes, I do love art. I have taken an art class just about every year of middle school, high school, and college. I am definitely not a Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Raphael, Leonardo, Michelangelo (and I don't mean TMNT), or an Albrecht Durer. But, I do have good artistic talent. I have never tried pursuing art as a career, just as a way to express myself.
I have worked with many different mediums, or types of art. For example, I have done a lot with charcoal, pastels, pen and ink, ceramics, painting, etc. For what ever reason, I don't seem to be as strong working with colors as I am working with black-n-white mediums. That is, my quality of work is not as good when I working with colors, like pastels, as it is working in black-n-white, charcoal for example. Usually I will use a reference for my art work. It can either been a photograph that I have taken, a picture from a magazine, or a still-life that I put together. Sometimes I draw from my imagination.
Whether it's drawing, painting, using pastels, or photography, art as a hobby can be expensive. I have no idea how much I have paid in my art supplies over the years. And, I have quite a few supplies! And, I admit, some of them are the cheap end of a certain medium. This is more often the case with my colored pencils or pastels. I don't use them a lot and I am not as strong in that medium. So, I am not going to invest nearly as much money as I would in something like a camera or a pen set. In fact, a good friend of mine in college had a very nice pen set. He was a psychology and art double major and pen-n-ink was one of his favorite mediums to work with. He let me use his pen set for one of my art projects and I fell in love with their quality. I told my parents about it and, the next thing I knew, I had my own set for Christmas. Except it was a 7 pen set. Each pen had a nib of a different thickness, enabling me to draw more exact lines. I still have that pen set today and try to use it on occasion.
Over the last few years, I have done a lot more 'artistic work' with writing than I have with drawing. I have always had good talent with creative writing, be it writing prose or poetry. No, I have not done much in the realm of poetry lately. But, I have done a lot of creative writing over the last few years. This blog is just one example of creative writing for me. I journal at times, though not very regularly. I also have done a lot with sermon and Bible Study writing. For me, they are no different than writing a good story. You have a message to deliver and you have to do it effectively. Although I usually organize my sermons and Bible Studies in an outline form, I have used those outlines to create blog entries on occasion. My blog on Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one example.
We all have artistic skills of some sort. For some, it is cooking. Others are gifted in story telling. Still others are gifted in how they arrange things in the home. Still others are gifted in music, be it singing, playing an instrument, etc. Some have amazing gifts in a certain area, and others don't seem to be 'as strong.' But yet, we all have some sort of artistic talent.
I believe that this is because the God that created the world and all that we see is the Author of 'being creative.' I mean, think about it… Think about the huge variety of animal and plant life that is around you. Ever think how many different kinds of butterflies there are? Or how many different kinds of spiders? Not only do they have very different coloring and size, but their favorite habitat or favorite food greatly differs.
Also taken into consideration how many different shades of skin the human race has! There's black, white, tan (like Asian), medium brown for Native American or Middle Eastern, or black. In fact, there are many variations of each! Not just skin color, but also eye and hair color.
When I look around and the many different kinds of flowers one can see in the Prairie alone, I am amazed. At the Homestead National Monument, they have a large area set aside for allowing the plants that used to grow on the Prairie. Each time I have walked through that area, I have been astounded that the rich variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Needless to say, I have taken many pictures of that area alone. I don't know of anyone who can create like that! Many have tried, and have created wonderful works of art. But yet, to me, nothing a person can do compares to what God has already done.
It amazes me just how talented some people are. It also greatly saddens me when people use their talents to hurt others. For example, some people are very gifted at singing. But, instead of writing songs to inspire others, they write songs to hurt others. The same thing goes with drawing or humor. Instead of using their talents to be a blessing onto others, they use their skills to put others down to feed their own egos or the egos of their 'race.' They use their skills to feed their negative stereotypes and promote more hatred instead of using their gifts to bring people together.
We all have choices to make, and there will always be consequences to our choices. They can either be positive consequences or negative consequences. We can either sow the seeds of love, joy, and peace through the things we do. Or, we can use our time and talents to sow seeds of anger, hatred, discontent. The choice is up to us. Even when we are using art as a way to express the sadness or anger that a person is feeling, care needs to be used with how it is expressed. Sometimes, something has to be drawn or written to put those feelings into down so that they can be processed. But then, because of how hurtful they are, they need to be thrown away, burned, shredded, or the like. As a way of letting go of the anger or sadness that one feels.
As I mentioned earlier, a close friend of mine in college was a dual major in psychology and art. His hope was to use art as a means of helping people to heal. There have been times where I have written a poem or drawn a picture to express what I am feeling. But, because of the nature of what I have written or drawn, and the fact that it is something negative that I am letting go, very few people have seen them. In fact, most were never meant to be shared with others. They were meant as a way of letting go with what I was angry or sad about. Although it hasn't always helped, there have been times where it has. Not just is the act of writing or drawing, but also in the tearing up or shredding. Though I still have the memories, those acts of doing something creative to express them in a controlled manner, and then purposely 'letting them go' has helped to lessen the impact those memories have on me today.
While in seminary, I participated in what is called CPE, Clinical Pastoral Education. Its a type of intense 'on the job training' for doing ministry. Typically, it is done in a high stress environment, like in a prison or hospital. Usually, half the day is spent in a class setting, learning more about ways to minister to those who are hurting. The other half is the actual ministry. I did my CPE at a Level One Trauma hospital in Louisville, Ky. I saw all sorts of people come in with very wide range of sickness and injuries. Some looked like slabs of meat that used to be a person. Others were those who were deathly ill with cancer, poisoning of some sort, or a serious infection. During my time there, I learned that ministering to those who are hurting is a real art. Although there are scientific ideas and research behind different disciplines of ministry, how you apply it is a real art. No two situations are the same. One method of ministering to one person my be extremely effective, all the while being totally ineffective in another situation.
During this time, I learned that times of prayer, either by myself or with others, can be like a form of art. We see that in the Book of Psalms. Some Psalms express deep sadness and distress. Others express great rage at a person or group of people. Others express awe and wonder towards God and all He has created. But, all of them are someone's expression of what they were feeling, written down as a prayer to God. A classmate of mine did a class on prayer that included some hand motions. I have to admit, it I was a bit skeptical of what I would get out of that class. But, I did find it rewarding. From a book she had read, she learned that sometimes, while confessing one's sins and shortcomings, a person should try holding one's hands out, hands open, and facing downwards. The reason for this is you are physically representing the fact that you are trying to let go of something and give it to God. Then, when you are asking for God's help and blessings, you change your hand position. Now, hold your hands straight out or at an upward angle, with your hands held like cups. This is to express your hearts desire of receiving God's blessings. It was an artistic expression of prayer, something that I was impressed with and have used on occasion.
The other night, my wife shared an article with me that she had found on the Internet. In the Facebook post, she asked me if I could see myself doing it. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical of whether I could see myself doing a 'pebble mosaic.' But, as I read through the article, I soon was picturing myself doing just that. Or, at least trying to. I started picturing how I could use something common and every day, like a river pebble, and making something beautiful out of it. Having done some really neat works of art by carving clay, I knew that I could do something in 3D. Might be a bit of a challenge, but not impossible.
But, it also got me thinking about something else. Something very awesome that God does. For those who accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, God becomes even more of an Artist. He takes something that was broken, dull, or even evil, and creates something beautiful out of it. Think about it… A favorite example I like to use is the life of John Newton, the author of the song 'Amazing Grace.' I mean, here was a man who sold fellow human beings into slavery. After his conversion to Christ, God used him to impact the lives of countless millions through his sermons and songs. Eventually, God also used him to help end slave trade in England. Something that used to be a source of income for him, he helped to end. Astounding, isn't it?!
And that is something God can do with each and everyone one of us. If we are willing to allow Him to work in our lives and through us. We can either choose to live life our own way, or we can choose to be God's instruments. One of the main reasons why I have this blog is so that God can touch the lives of others through me. Although it is an effective way for me to express myself creatively, it is more than that. It is a way for me to touch the lives of others. People I may never have been able to impact face-to-face. People that, because of how I write something, or what I feel inspired to write about, can impact them in a way that someone else might not be able to do. On this side of Heaven, I know that I will never fully understand how God has used this blog to touch the lives of others. Just like I will not know, in this life, how a 'chance meeting' to me was something God used to change someone's life. All I can do is walk in faith, trusting that God will use me. And, it is a form of art, I think, to prayerfully and actively walk with God and to be used by Him. Something that takes the common, the uninteresting, even the broken or evil, and something beautiful is made. May that be a reality in your life.
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