At one point in time every time I heard the question, "Where you at?" I couldn't help but think of those old people in the Boost Mobile commercial, remember that one? With each day that goes by it feels like it is getting easier and easier (almost to a fault) to know the locations of our friends at all times. With GPS, iPhones, and with Facebook "Check-ins" we can let people know where we are at and tag others with just a few taps on a screen.
Just this weekend I was able to attend a winter retreat with an organiztion called Athletes in Action. One of the tight things about the whole experience was to see a crew of about 300 college athletes from all different locations within the Great Lakes area. There were ballers from all locations, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Michigan State, Marshall, and Pittsburgh just to name a few. We not only came together from different locations physically, but also spiritually. We were a living definition of diversity. Some people grew up in the hood, some in the suburbs, and some grew up without a father. Some had grew up in the church, some even pastor's kids, while others barely had a clue who God was and had only bad impressions of people who at least called themselves Christians. The whole spectrum, I'm telling you.
The crazy part for me, when I was taking this all in, was the fact that just about every status in this world, including being a college athlete, requires certain skills, credentials, experience, and pieces of paper (diplomas/degrees). I feel like this is why I have struggled at times, as I'm sure others have, wrapping my head around the fact that God does not require us to have a skill set or a resume' that's legit in his eyes. When we think we can get to that point, we need to remember that it is impossible to build a resume' on our own that will earn us a spot in heaven. We have it twisted. God asks us to stop trying for a second and recognize we need some back up, better yet, a spot on the roster without a reference or tryout. Where we have been, no matter what we have done, or what we have said in the past doesn't effect his desire to recruit us. In other words, we don't have to go through a spiritual version of P90X to get jacked in order to start a walk with God, he can meet us wherever we are at, either literally or relation to him. This video is my boy Lecrae's real life story in a rap, definitely some real talk, check it...
Showing posts with label uncategorized. Show all posts
Showing posts with label uncategorized. Show all posts
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Are you Perpin'?
Perpin' - The act of bragging and or lying in conversations about things that one posesses to impress people, a person who is usually perpin, has nothing but a wide imagination and a desire to fit into the "in crowd". (Urban Dictionary)
How many times do we see it? Somebody talks about something they believe in and then proceeds to do something that makes you sit there and think, "wow, yet another person that is full of it." How many times do we hear it? We all have at least heard about if not experienced the go-to phrase by some parents, "Do as I say, not as I do." Clearly, there is some serious space between what people genuinely want to be and what ends up actually happening in their lives. Why is this so? Well that is one deep question. No one-liner answer comes to mind, but life is rarely that simple.
One thing that helped me at least chip away at this was seeing how strongly we believe something be put on one of three levels.
1. Public convictions - This includes what you want everyone else to think you believe and how you want them to see you. Basically this is your reputation and how you handle it, some care more than others, just look at how different people manage their Facebook profile.
2. Private convictions - These go a little deeper in the sense that these are the values that you really want to live out. In an honest heart to heart with a best friend, you'd still tell them, "Yes I really believe in ____."
3. Core convictions - This is the real deal, these beliefs are called "core" because they are so deeply rooted in you that they show up in your actions. There is no slick talking with core convictions, they are either there or they aren't. (For more check this book by John Ortberg)
You may be asking, "Who cares what level the different beliefs we have go under?" Well, WE need to. Taking a look at our actions and seeing what is showing up in how we live can be a good thing, whether it ends up being an encouragement or a wake-up call. No one is perfect, bottom line. There are Atheists that are "practically Christian" judging by their actions just like there are Christians who are "practically atheists" because no one could tell one way or the other, I've been there at times.
I'll end with a little would you rather...Would you rather hear someone TALK about how they have a heart for God and others or see them DOING something that would tell you that without them saying a word? Let's keep the Perpin' to a minimum! Peace!
(Comments welcomed)
How many times do we see it? Somebody talks about something they believe in and then proceeds to do something that makes you sit there and think, "wow, yet another person that is full of it." How many times do we hear it? We all have at least heard about if not experienced the go-to phrase by some parents, "Do as I say, not as I do." Clearly, there is some serious space between what people genuinely want to be and what ends up actually happening in their lives. Why is this so? Well that is one deep question. No one-liner answer comes to mind, but life is rarely that simple.
One thing that helped me at least chip away at this was seeing how strongly we believe something be put on one of three levels.
1. Public convictions - This includes what you want everyone else to think you believe and how you want them to see you. Basically this is your reputation and how you handle it, some care more than others, just look at how different people manage their Facebook profile.
2. Private convictions - These go a little deeper in the sense that these are the values that you really want to live out. In an honest heart to heart with a best friend, you'd still tell them, "Yes I really believe in ____."
3. Core convictions - This is the real deal, these beliefs are called "core" because they are so deeply rooted in you that they show up in your actions. There is no slick talking with core convictions, they are either there or they aren't. (For more check this book by John Ortberg)
You may be asking, "Who cares what level the different beliefs we have go under?" Well, WE need to. Taking a look at our actions and seeing what is showing up in how we live can be a good thing, whether it ends up being an encouragement or a wake-up call. No one is perfect, bottom line. There are Atheists that are "practically Christian" judging by their actions just like there are Christians who are "practically atheists" because no one could tell one way or the other, I've been there at times.
I'll end with a little would you rather...Would you rather hear someone TALK about how they have a heart for God and others or see them DOING something that would tell you that without them saying a word? Let's keep the Perpin' to a minimum! Peace!
(Comments welcomed)
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