What sticks?

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What can you remember from years gone by?  I admit every once in awhile I have a picture flash across my memory.  Caused by a smell, or a series of events that link to the picture, or a voice, or . . .

But, what makes certain word phrases stick? 

I suppose repetition.  I have Bible verses memorized that just come back.  It took a while to learn them but I’m not sure I’ll ever lose them.  My mother, who has Alzheimer’s, still can recite verses once a phrase is presented to her.

I suppose music.  When I hear a chord progression or a lyric line, the words flood back.  This also relates to poetry, which has a rhythmic feel to it.  Again, Alzheimer’s doesn’t erase that ability!

I suppose fear.  When I was young I need to know my phone number, just in case.  I can still recite one – 692-6833.  That was in my early elementary years.

I suppose hope.  When a vision has been cast, whether for church, work or personal – I remember the phrases.  One church I was in used four words – Connect, Grow, Reach, Serve. 

I suppose simple.  I remember short acronyms that roll out into phrases.  SGI – Small Group Initiatives.  AMP – Autonomy, Mastery, Purpose.

What helps you to remember?

Emptying the file cabinet

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On my day off, I am cleaning out the downstairs filing cabinet.  Of old tax forms, sermons and generally unusable paper. 

The fun of it all is that you feel rather cleansed as you go.  The shredder has gotten overheated more than once.  After a short cooling off time, we start again.

And in the end, two full file drawers will go the the recyclable bin in the next few days!! 

Good stuff!

Co-laboration

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I was listening today to a video on working with other people.  The point was made that the idea is great, the option is a good idea, but the actual implementation is often unfulfilled.  We see it as an option, wanted but not necessarily needed.

My question is often the prior question.  Why are we collaborating with others?  In the Scripture of Christians the point is made that we will be known as Christians by their love for one another.  Presumably this means that we work together. 

Gabe Lyons points out in his book called “The Next Christians” that choosing embodiment and not division will be one of the distinguishing marks of the Christian in this generation.  Other generations had certain areas of emphases – some regarding slavery, others regarding child labor.  These were proper concerns – and still remain as justice concerns within our society.  But, we must step back and look at a North American Christian community that has often become indistinguishable from the society around us.  When that happens, the grounds for credibility when we call for change become less than compelling.

How are we to be a separate people and yet part of the current society?  That must be determined, not with superficial answers but with foundational principles that are worked out in daily life.  Gabe Lyons brings five daily life activities into view (immersed in Scripture – not entertainment; observing the sabbath – not productivity; fasting in simplicity – not consumerism; embodiment – not division; and postured in prayer – not power).  They come from the principles of engagement over condemnation; grace over judgment; courage over comfort and faithfulness over reputation.

Of course, this is in short-hand.  The main focus will always start with Jesus.  From there – I’m still working this through, but I sense there is a definite kernel of truth to much of what Lyons says.

P.A.R.T.Y.

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Prevent Alcohol and Risk related Trauma in Youth – a program that is hands on to get high school youth to see the result of poor choices!  Tomorrow I will go with a group of youth as they progress through the day.  Each step, from a mock crash to trying to eat lunch with a “handicap”, is designed to impress on them the need to stay away from drunkenness and making poor choices.

I’m not sure all that will entail – there was some training but the actual day is often full of surprises.  So, surprise, I’m off to bed soon in order to be up fresh and ready in the morning.  Should be a good experience – we’ll see how it goes!!