Ok, it's been a while since I blogged (again)

I go through these times when I blog and then no blogging for while. I still can't get away from writing things with a pen. There is something old-school about it that apeals to me. And I know it's so 20th Century. But, what can I say? I just like it.

Michael and Ken, this is for you. :-)

So I was talking with my friend Chris about being who we're meant to be. We're both thankful for the witness of Dallas Willard today. He's become a prophet to speak to the people of God. He paints pictures of life through a lens of God's goodness.

Socially, Willard would say health is lived out best in four realms. I'm definitely paraphrasing his descriptions. So read them knowing that.

Being whole. No matter your history, you don't have to be bound by it. As we learn to live in God's story and in light of Jesus' call to follow Him, we can be released from the things that hold us back. My friend Ken would say, "We lack nothing!" I'm the son of an alcoholic father, whom I don't recall seeing but once or twice a year for much of my early childhood. I was raised by a single mother, who was an immigrant with a 3rd grade education. I've been tempted to think I'm incomplete. But the truth is that God promised to be father to the fatherless. God provides what we need. Our part is to receive it and live it. To be honest, I'm blessed. Ask me about it and I'll tell you sometime.

No Pretense. I often walk away from situations, asking myself questions. Why did I become insecure? What caused me to say that? I find that I sometimes pretend to "have it all together" when I really feel like I'm falling apart. Of course I'm not, but I feel that way. Why do we feel the need to pretend? As a little boy, I remember other kids talking about their fathers and the great things they did. I used to make up stories about my dad. Why? Partly, because I wanted to fit in. I also wished for my dad to be in my life. Sometimes, I'm still like that little boy - freighted and angry. We feel the need to pretend when we percieve that we are incomplete. I'm seeing more and more that receiving wholeness from God answers the pretending question. Reality check: you're ok. You don't have to do or say anything to prove that you're ok. Learning to BE. What we DO flows from that.

Non-defensiveness. In defensiveness we either attack or withdraw. My drug of choice is withdrawal. Why get so defensiveness? Because I'm threatened. Threatend by what?, You ask. Anything that challenges my comfort. I don't want my weaknesses pointed out. I don't want to admit I'm wrong. Sometimes I don't even want to admit you're right. It's just a plain self-centered way of looking at the world. The truth is that makine mistakes doesn't make you a bad person. It's just means you are a person. Marcia knows all to well when I'm defensive and trying to hide it. She asks me why I'm defensive. And then I defensively state, "I'm not defensive." There is a sense where teachability shows itself in the ability to receive instruction, advice, and correction. Man, for a guy who loves to teach I sure need to take a lesson. Ouch! I admit it. I'm wrong and I choose to embrace correction.

Embracing life through mission. Life is bigger than me. I'm not the center. The beautiful thing is that I'm connected to the CENTER of all things. When I wake up tomorrow, one of the things that will drive me is the knowledge that I'm living in God's goodness. I have access to the abundant love of Creator. And I'm meant to access love for the good of my brothers and sisters. To love God and to love others! A mission life is a generous life. More than just with money, but with all things. Ok, I'm getting it. I'm a slow learner, but I'm on the path. See you there!