Synthetic Truth

Balancing Boundaries

2009-11-20T01:07:00.000-05:00

I feel like one thing that God is constantly reminding me of throughout life is boundaries.

Relational boundaries. Time boundaries. Financial boundaries.

I used to see boundaries as barriers: something I must work, plan, strive harder to overcome. But now I'm seeing boundaries more as protection. However, I've spent so much energy trying to tear down boundaries in my life that now I'm learning how to rebuild appropriate, and necessary, boundaries.

I'm learning that saying "no" to something can be a good thing. I'm learning that if I don't set aside at least one day a week for just myself then I'll wear myself out so fast.

God gives me the energy and strength to complete things every day. However, even God took a day to rest in Genesis. He set the example.

I have to constantly remind myself to rest. There are so many things I see that can be done, and I want to share my time and skills with people when they ask for it.

But I am only one person. And there are only 168 hours in a week.

So don't be surprised if I don't return your e-mails on Saturdays. Chances are I'm laying in bed, or drinking/reading/people watching at Starbucks/Panera.

And for 24 hours a week, that's just what God intended.

$4 Can Make a Man Cry

2009-11-06T16:27:00.000-05:00

I love Fridays. Technically, Friday is my "weekend" although I usually end up doing some type of work. But today I had a few hours to kill between lunch and "work". I decided to go to Starbucks for a few hours.

Coffee. Computer. Comfort.

The three things above were all I wanted for a couple hours. Then I met a man who had none of them, and was possibly happier than I often am.

Jeff Talley is his name. I saw him standing in a Wal-mart parking lot, with a cardboard sign and white writing. His sign simply said:

"Anything helps. God bless."

I don't always help homeless people. But I felt something tugging at my heart. So I detoured myself from my Starbucks trip, parked my car in the Wal-mart parking lot, and stepped out of it.

My intention was just to give this man a couple bucks and be on my way. But as soon as I approached him I knew this visit would become more than that.

We talked for over 30 minutes. Felt like we had some sort of connection.

Jeff Talley spent 30 minutes of his time witnessing to me. He made it clear in the beginning that local restaurants spared food for him at times, and the Wal-mart had provided him with a tent, sleeping bag, and a Coleman lantern.

He said he needed nothing more. Then Jeff shared the Gospel.

I let him finish and then told him that I knew Jesus and that us meeting today wasn't an accident. We talked some more. He's a Vietnam Veteran who made some poor choices about ten years ago and life basically crashed down on him.

When we finished our time together, I asked him if there was anything I could do for him. I asked him if he needed anything.

The scruffy, dirty, wrinkled, shaking, cold, homeless looked me in the eye and said:

"I have Jesus. I don't need anything else."

What a story. Quickly my afternoon of Starbucks and tweeting seemed shallow and meaningless.

However, I couldn't leave without giving him something, so I pulled out my wallet and gave him all the cash I had on me: 4 one dollar bills.

I handed it to him and he counted it.

Then this man cried. His eyes teared up out of joy and he couldn't have been more appreciative of four little dollars.

He said, "I hate standing out here every day, doing this. But I have no other options. Thank God for Jesus."

We shook hands, exchanged names, and then I left.

But I have a feeling he'll be seeing me again.

The Difference is in the Packaging

2009-10-24T22:26:00.006-04:00

Haunting Hilarities

Some friends and I went out to a local place called Creepy Hollow this past Friday night. Every October they have haunted hayrides and scary forests that are intended to scare the pee out of you. In years past I've gone to this place, or to a similar one, to have people instill a certain fear into my heart. And I paid money for this.

But this time was completely different.

In some ways being involved in creative arts can be damaging to a person's perception of reality. Mainly, because I perceive the reality at a haunted forest as being low-toned music with strategically placed lights and key places where a person could pop out at.

I did not get scared. Rather, I enjoyed laughing at those around me get scared.

But wait, didn't we all experience the same thing? We all walked through the same trees and building together, all rode the same hayride. Shouldn't we all have been scared on similar levels?

The context we were given (lights, sounds, promotional materials, etc.) were designed to prepare people to be scared before even stepping foot onto the hayride. People already had in their minds that they were about to be scared. The only reason I did not have fear in my heart upon entering was because my mind started seeing the atmosphere as different types of lights and materials, instead of allowing those items to have their effect on me. (Both a gift and a curse, at times.)

Truly, there was nothing to be afraid of on the hayride other than fear itself. We were on a constantly moving vehicle, with a few people we knew, with GPS cell phones, and the full knowledge that these "scary spirits" were legally not allowed to touch us. What's scary about that?

The presentation. The perception. The context. The packaging of fear is what prepared people to think that what was about to happen would be fearful.

Same Shirt, Different Package

Apple has a particular way of attracting its customers. It's all about presentation.

A computer guy said to me a couple months ago, "

After working on so many computers I now know that Macs and PCs are basically the same on the inside." This is probably true. After all, both Macs and PCs do what they can to keep the latest hardware inside of their machines. So why did Apple just have its best quarter ever in the midst of an economic recession?

Packaging.

I love Apple and the products they create. But I think a big reason I like them so much is because Apple puts as much time and detail into the outside of their products as they do to the inside.

Just last week I saw this on a blog (tuaw.com).

This is part of the introduction package that a person received after accepting a job with Apple. Their job position: Call Care Representative.

The person doesn't even need an Apple shirt for their phone job, yet Apple still takes much care in welcoming the new employee with a package that you would think was for a new computer or something.

Apple is known for the same attention to detail in all their products as well. They mostly do the same basic functions as other items in their industry, but they do it 100% better because it's whats on the outside that counts.

Package Makes Perfect?

The content. The inside. The message. The meat of something is what makes it what it is. A beautiful package means little if there's nothing inside. However, many companies can charge a lot more for the exact same food in the grocery store simply because it has the "cool" packaging to go along with it.

People are wired to be drawn to visually stimulating items. It's a first impression. We also are good at discovering when the core of something is ugly despite it's packaging. But when two items have the same inside, then the one with the quality package, created with a bar of excellence, will attract far more attention and respect than the same item with bare packaging.

The difference is in the packaging.

Every Day is a Missions Trip

2009-10-17T02:05:00.000-04:00

Tonight I was talking to a couple guys about their summer. They spent an entire month of their summer vacation in Ethiopia. I asked them if it was for a mission trip.

One of them replied, "not really. For us, every day is a mission trip."

I had never thought of it that way before.

But really, God has called us to a life of daily "mission trips." Growing up, the youth group I was involved in would do periodic mission trips. Some of them in the local community. Some of them as far as Mexico or Austria.

And these trips were amazing. Meeting people. Discovering new cultures. Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with people proved to be awesome experiences.

And they can happen every day. In fact, that should be our goal.

Every day when we wake up the goal of the day should be to spread Christ's love with us, to help and serve others.

A mission trip.

My prayer is that we make every day our mission trip to those around us.

Let's live a life of missions, in worship to our God.

Because every day is a missions trip.

Currently on the Kindle

2009-10-01T22:36:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I don't actually have an Amazon Kindle device. However, I do have the Kindle app on my iPhone, which is quickly becoming a mini collection of books I'm reading. I do best reading a few different books at the same time, reading part of a different one each day. It takes longer to get through books, but I'm able to absorb different ideas at the same time.

That being said, here's what I currently have loaded on my Kindle:

Relational Intelligence: How Leaders Can Expand Their Influence
by Steve Saccone (from Mosaic Church with Erwin McManus)

Killing Cockroaches
by Tony Morgan (from North Point with Andy Stanley)

In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day
by Mark Batterson (from National Community Church)

I Found Jesus in Cajun Chicken

2009-09-26T22:37:00.003-04:00

I had an amazing dinner tonight. A hot, delicious Cajun Chicken Filet Sandwich, Cajun Fries, and a Large Sweet Tea. It was a mouth-watering experience.

What's more amazing is what I did to have that experience.

Friday night a friend mentioned to me that a new Bojangles had recently opened about 25 minutes from my home. Hearing this made my eyes wide, and instantly excitement was pouring out of me.

You have to understand. There were no Bojangles near me. The last time I found a Bojangles was a few months ago in Roanoke, a couple hours from home. So to find out that such an experience was now so close to home filled me with joy.

Saturday I shared the news with everyone. I tweeted, updated my Facebook status, etc. If you encountered me at all today you knew that I was going to Bojangles for dinner tonight, and that anyone was welcome to join.

I was pumped for Bojangles. I had tasted it in the past and knew how good it is. I wanted to share that with everyone else. I even fasted in a way, skipping lunch altogether, counting down the hours until dinner time would arrive.

When the time came, I drove 25 minutes to search for Bojangles, even called a couple more people to let them know of my journey. Then I saw the sign in the distance. Fully focused on the cajun goodness, nothing could hold me back. I abruptly ended a phone conversation with a flu-ridden friend and confidently entered the restaurant, already knowing what my order would be. Already know that I would upsize it so that I could get as much as possible into me.

I sat down, and quickly took my first bite. Then at the table next to me I noticed something that changed the entire night. Two people just sat down with their chicken meals. They removed the wrapping and smiled at their meal. Then they didn't hesitate to close their eyes and thank God for their meal, asking His blessing on it.

Then it hit me.

As I sat there eating my meal, happy and content with the sheer joy that this chicken and sweet tea goodness is now locally available to me, I realized that the excitement, unashamed promotion, attention and glory, that I had given Bojangles in the past 24 hours was the type of joy I should be sharing with people every day about Jesus.

Too often it's easy to take the gift that Christ offers for granted. I can get jaded, lackluster, by the gift of Christ, that I often do give Him the attention He deserves, which is far more than Bojangles.

The joy and victory that I embraced in my chicken meal tonight was genuine, and far less than the joy and victory I can have in Jesus. So why don't I share Christ the way I was sharing the news of Bojangles?

I pray that Jesus gets the glory and attention he deserves from me. Far too often I find myself getting distracted by the things of life, even things as silly as a Bojangles meal. But I praise Jesus for using little moments like this to point me back to Him.

Jesus vs. Elmer

2009-09-07T22:07:00.001-04:00

So there's this guy named Elmer. I've never met him, but apparently he has his own brand of glue. He kinda looks like a bullish creature (see copyrighted image which I stole off Google).

Elmer's glue does a pretty good job of holding some things together. Fabrics, popsicle sticks, googly eyes,cotton balls, and other items that really aren't worth much on their own (I'm not a big fan of crapfts).

But when you bring all the supplies together, and situate them in such a way as to create something meaningful, Elmer's is the glue that hold the pieces together so that everything doesn't just fall apart.

Sometimes kids will use Elmer's glue to make a craft in school, and the glue may seem kind of runny upon first applying it. But in time the glue dries, and the finished product is strong.

Jesus is my Elmer's of life. He revealed Himself in a huge way this weekend. It was my first Sunday on my own as the new tech director at a local large church. My church has the stage, the lights, the screens, the sound system, the band, the drama sketches, and an incredible pastor and community.

Weeks of thought and creativity had gone into this (and every) Sunday's morning church services. Hours of preparation and rehearsal and energy from dozens of people had gone into Sunday's services. However, when Sunday morning came I soon felt like it would be a miracle if everything came together and was executed well. On top of it being my first week directing a new team of people, this week was more choppy than usual.

Admittedly, upon trying to help others understand many of the last minute changes to lights, screens, etc. I didn't figure Jesus into the equation.

Always figure Jesus into the equation.

Minutes before we started I asked the lighting crew if all the changes had been properly saved. The response I got: "Let's hope so." Not very reassuring, but there was no time for checking anything else. Doors were opening.

JESUS. SHOWED. UP.

Like Elmer's glue on a kid's craft project, Jesus held all the pieces together and allowed for a smooth service. He completely blew me away. He reminded me that I'm nothing but someone who He allows to play a role in His story.

The great thing is that when people told me "good job" afterwards Jesus just got glorified more because I could redirect that straight up to Him.

His strength shines in my weakness.

So obviously it always feel better beforehand to feel 100% confident about a service before starting it. But in a strange way I like even more seeing Christ show up and blow me away with His bonding power.

Elmer's glue might be pretty good stuff for crafts, but Jesus is so much stronger and much more applicable!

Dogs Like Chocolate

2009-08-30T22:51:00.000-04:00

I have two Jack Russell Terriers.

They will eat anything.

One is 15 and the other is 16 years old, so they're starting to have some years behind them. They live a pretty good life, getting plenty of love and exercise, and they've rarely been deprived of table scraps.

We took them to the vet last week for a regular check up and found out that the older dog, Abby, is beginning to show signs of kidney problems. It's nothing too serious yet, but she's been placed on a strict diet. She can no longer receive pieces of meat or veggies from our dinner plates, nor small tastes of any sweets. Abby wants to eat food that is harmful for her, because it taste good to her. However, we know that if she continues to consume harmful human food then she will die unnecessarily early.

As my dog's "master" I have a responsibility, no, an obligation, a requirement, to keep her away from the harmful food she desires, even though it may taste good to her. I instead give her specific food that will make her healthy, and keep her alive and happy longer, even if it doesn't immediately appeal to her.

Abby still wants what she can't have.

Sometimes that's how our relationship with Christ can be. Jesus is providing us with what we need in life to live free and happy in Him. However, at times we may still search out things that we think will "taste good" even if they are truly harmful to us. Each time we want and indulge in the things of this world that simply feel good instead of things of Christ that we need, we are harming ourselves, and sometimes those around us as well.

When we allow Jesus to be our Master, and we indulge ourselves in the "food" that He feeds us, then we are consuming the food that we need for healthy souls and joy in this life and for eternity.

The most beautiful thing is when what we want in life and what we need in Christ become the same.

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." -Psalm 37:4

Severe Weather

2009-08-24T02:50:00.000-04:00

I'm sitting here right now listening to the downpour of the rain against my window, and the sincerity in the thunder. If I were to go outside I would not be able to see much. The wind and the rain, combined with the darkness of night, would hinder me and distort my sense of direction. I could easily begin walking or running contrary to my intended direction.

However, when morning arrives, and the storm passes, the sun will peek from behind the clouds and I will again see more clearly which direction I should be heading. This is my opportunity to re-orient myself. Each storm prepares me for the next, with the interludes a moment of calmness and refreshment. I may even be blessed with the beauty of a rainbow if I look for it.

How does that relate to our spiritual life? Things can take place that can be considered spiritual storms. For a moment we may become hindered, disoriented, and begin going one direction even though we intend for going down a different direction. We get caught up in the wind and rain of life.

But as a storm passes the Sun pokes out of the clouds and we can once again focus our attention in it's direction and re-orient ourselves, refresh our spirits, and maybe even see a rainbow.

It's up to us to look for the Sun and correct our path towards it. It's up to us to see the rainbows, and find joy in them.

It's take the joint effort of the Sun shining down on the Storm to create a beautiful rainbow.

Are you looking for the rainbows of life?

Allow myself to introduce... myself.

2009-08-22T16:07:00.000-04:00

I've tried this blogging thing in the past. It worked out well. However, after about a year of it I grew bored with it and took a break from blogging as I migrated to the world of Twitter. I've since come to realize that Twitter is great, but some things require more than 140 characters.

Synthetic Truth is where I will share my thoughts, opinions, feelings, questions, doubts, sarcasm, etc. Synthetic implies that something is artificially created. Truth means that something is concrete, real, honest. Synthetic Truth is where these two pieces collide, creating my perception of life, death, God, skepticism, etc.

I invite you to comment on many posts, and to just chew on others. You won't agree with everything I say. That's good. Because I'm not right about everything.

Welcome...