Where The Wind Blows

I noticed on Fox News this morning that a meteorologist was seeking to explain why the 2006 hurricane season wasn't as bad as predicted. Normally I keep the sound off so I don't know what his reasons were (I multi-task in the morning and only read the banners).

One banner stated that only one storm made it into the Gulf of Mexico (which was a fear of many, based on the Katrina and Rita-led 2005 storm season). I found all of this interesting, if only in passing.

I was reminded of the words of Jesus when asked by Nicodemus about being born again. Jesus said, "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going..." Hmmmm. Sounds like hurricane season.

I began to ponder this and thought about creativity. We can try to predict when a creative thought will come. We can even do things to encourage creativity. But the bottom line is this: We don't know when a creative idea will come or how it will show itself. But we need to be ready for it when it does.

So if that means keeping a paper and pen on the nightstand, or a digital recorder in your bag, or a sketch pad handy, be ready for the next great creative thought that comes your way. Who knows, it may be "hurricane-size" and blow you away!

Expecting The Best!

I read a prayer today. It was a prayer from a father to his son. It was filled with encouragement, hope, and anticipation. It expected the best.

I pray those kinds of prayers for my sons (and daughter). I believe that all of us who have children pray for those things.

I don't know of a parent who prays for failure, discouragement and disappointment. Although I did hear of a father who wanted his children to fail so they could learn to face adversity and press forward. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

And so we pray for the best for our children (both our physical and spiritual children) those whom we pour into so they can be all that they were created to be. And we expect the best, because people are at their best when they are directed that way.

By the way, the prayer I read from a father to his son was Psalm 72 in the Bible. It's pretty good stuff!

(If you like this post, please re-post it or Twittter it to your followers. Follow me on Twitter if you find me interesting)

Fallen Heroes

I think that everyone in America has heard of the Ted Haggard affair (bad choice of words?). I have read many comments and many blogs concerning Ted Haggard. Many are negative and indicting. Many are distancing themselves from this man.

I for one, am looking for restoration. I believe that Ted Haggard is truly repentant. The God who I serve is a God of forgiveness.

Didn't David the King say to Nathan the Prophet, "I have sinned against the Lord" after his sin with Bathsheba? And didn't Nathan respond with, "The LORD has taken away your sin."?

Yes, we are expected to have a higher level of integrity, a higher standard of righteousness than the world. Yes, we are called to live a life of holiness. But sometimes we fall.

The question is, "What will we do after we fall?" Repent, remain in sin?

Thank youl Lord that you are a forgiving God.

Be You

I read this on Zondervan's Daily Inspiration devotional:

In the kaleidoscope of God's family, there's room for all gifts and temperaments. God may have given you extraordinary depths of mercy, lots of patience, heights of wisdom, or the ability to enjoy adventure or to thrive on solitude. And, somewhere in your community, there's probably a seeker who's one step away from coming to faith but who needs to come into contact with someone just like you—with your personality, your temperament, your passion, and your interests. If that seeker could glimpse how God lives and works through you, it might be enough to propel him across the line of faith.

In light of these words, I encourage you to be the one who God created you to be. Allow your life to be lived to its fullest. Passionately and extravagantly love God!