Emotional Labor

Yesterday I think I used up my emotional labor tank. Not a really long day at the office but after a full day of work, it's nice to come home and debrief a bit. As some of you know I give guitar lessons and on Tuesday's I have 3 after work. I love giving guitar lessons, don't get me wrong. I love seeing the small victories each student has and celebrating them, but these are hour long, emotional labor intensive sessions for me (Kate, if you read this, it has nothing to do with yesterday-ha! Really). After 3 lessons, I met Court to see some of our friends' new house they just bought. And then after stuffing my face with a calorie packed Carl's Jr. burger, I had a 3 hour long practice session for a gig I'm playing this weekend. This is not meant to be a sap story. Please don't hear that. I realize that many of you are just as busy or busier and this day is not a good representation of a normal day. However, my point is that emotional labor can be taxing. But, I believe, this is what holds our relationships together. The amount of energy you put into your relationships, and conversations, and interactions with people, will more than likely reflect what they give you back. I'm a bit of an extrovert so most of the time being around people infuses me with energy. But every once in a while, it's draining. I'm just glad I have a wife whom after I tell her that I had a draining day says, "We don't have to talk. I understand. Can I do anything for you?" Yeah, she's that awesome.

Love/Hate Blogs

I think that is how I would define my relationship with the blogs I read. I don't read that many, but the ones I do read are challenging and are constantly prodding me to be a better person and christian. Always prodding me to take the high road. I love the challenge, but at the same time its wearing. I have to say, Michael Mitchell's blog has tireless advice and wisdom on how to be a better man. That one has worn me out. About to make a decision...dangit...I should be a man and take the better road. If you want some other ones you can click here, or here (sometimes a bit crude, but great life advice, and awesome art). Any other ones you want to throw out, I would greatly appreciate it...I think.

Generational Differences

Last night Court and I had some really good honest conversation with some friends of ours (hadn't seen them in a while-it was great to catch up). I believe there is something God put in all of us to be authentic and have these refreshing and raw conversations. Now, I realize this statement may resonate with most of the readers here, but it's my parents and older generation who won't read that and think, "Yes, that's what the church is missing." I also realize that is an extremely large generalization (we all know people that age this rings true with). Much of the time I think or talk about generational differences in the church, I am often reminded of my generation's young idealism and border line naivety. However, this may be found to be true, in the back of my head I think, "Maybe we are actually right." Blasphemous I know. Honest, open, raw, authentic conversation is just one of the issues our generations may disagree on-there are countless others. I know, the post-modern thinker would probably say, "Why can't both be right?" I've often thought this myself, but I am reminded by a good friend of mine that our generation has ceased to "Draw lines in the sand." So back to my initial blasphemous thought. What if we are actually right? Then again, what if they are right about other issues? I hate being wrong. How is this reconciled? Some of these issues are causing our generation to leave the church. Unfortunately, this is a direct result of our no commitment, not brand loyal thinking. Think about some other generational issues you have come across. How have these issues played themselves out in your life/way of thinking?

Book Review and Giveaway-Switch!

Switch, by Dan and Chip Heath, is one of the most hopeful, informative books I have read in a while. The book is all about what goes into change-personal, corporate, national, and global. It is laced with stories about people that have inspired and carried out change to one level or another. If you are looking to change something, anything, in your personal life, family, business, or community, this is a great place to start. Of course this is not the end all on how to accomplish change, but it provides a great framework to get started and stay motivated. The stories in this book can't help but be retold. I found myself multiple times putting the book down, and asking Court to listen to a story I just read, almost every time receiving a genuine "Wow" in response. It is a must read. If you would like a free copy of the book, you can either retweet this blog post, e-mail me at waughbash15855@yahoo.com with "I want a book" in the title, or repost this link on your Facebook page (make sure and tag my name with the @ symbol). I will pick someone randomly by 4:00 tomorrow. Good luck!

Thoughts from the heart

I don't want this post to sound like a guilt trip. Just honest thoughts hoping to get you thinking about your own walk with Christ. I realized this morning that I don't really want to know Christ. I used to sing a song as a kid that was taken from Phil 3:10. Part of the lyrics went like this-"I want to know Christ and the power of his rising, share in his sufferings, conform to his death." The song is so happy and cheery that I honestly have never really thought about the words I was singing. "Share in his sufferings, conform to his death!" The actual scripture says, "Become like him in his death." When was the last time I thought, "I want to suffer the way Christ suffered. I'd like to die like he did." And the answer to that question scares me because it is a resounding "Never". But Paul is implying here, if we really want to know Christ, if we really want to know his heart, we must desire this. And I realized this morning, that I don't want that...really. I have never prayed to suffer as Christ suffered. That by any means possible, I want to know Christ. Listen to seriousness of those words, "By any means possible." I don't know if I truly believe that. As Paul wrote in Romans, "What a wretched man I am! Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Because it is only by his grace and mercy will I ever have a chance to truly know Christ.

Suffering Part 3

Here is one of the responses to yesterday's posting. This impacted me so much, I wanted to share it with you.

When we're suffering, we typically get on our knees and beg God to make it stop. In Acts 4, when the apostles were publically flogged for preaching the gospel, they went to church, got on their knees together, and prayed that God would make them even bolder and more courageous in their preaching. That blatant difference scares me for a variety of reasons.

But what if we tried something different? What if instead of praying for our sick to be healed, we prayed that God would help them be radiant exemplars of Christian hope and victory over death and dying? What if praying for the safety of our military, we prayed God would raise up missionaries to go into the most dangerous parts of the earth? What if instead of praying for God to end a particular struggle or suffering or persecution, we asked Him to help us to relate more to Christ and His sufferings (and maybe even asked Him not to turn down the heat until we do)? What if instead of asking God to make things easier for us to move around in the world, we asked Him to give us such courage that no obstacle, no matter how daunting, would stop us from going where He sends?

These are all such anti-cultural/anti-church (as in the modern church) ideas. This is so against everything that my flesh screams. And I think it is at the heart of what God wants for his people. God help us as we begin to suffer in a way that glorifies you.

Suffering Part 2

Most of my thoughts today come straight from 1 Peter. I think if it were a book today it might be named "How to Suffer Well-Always for the Sake of Doing Good". After reading this letter through, one could tell Peter has obviously experienced suffering. Peter also has an unwavering hope that all of his suffering was not in vain and ours won't be either...if done right. It is kind of funny writing on this subject because I haven't really suffered. I am so blessed to have a wife, a home, a great family, a job, food, clothing, and both sets of Grandparents still alive. Sure, I've experienced some difficult situations, but none as tough as the Christians Peter was writing to. I feel almost as if I am reviewing a movie that I haven't seen or a book I haven't read. But it is this fact scares/excites/motivates me. I would not by any means wish suffering upon myself or anyone else. I would much rather give God glory in preaching or in leading worship than through suffering. But, if that's what it takes for me to realize that I have nothing without God and cannot place my hope anywhere else, so be it. Peter goes so far to state that "We were called" to suffer for doing good. Put another way, it is God's will that we suffer for doing good. It is God's will that we suffer?! Furthermore, we must give glory to God when we do! I am scared for what God is going to call me to suffer through. I am scared it's going to be difficult. I am scared it is going to test my faith. So my prayer now is, when suffering does come, either for doing good or because creation is subjected to futility, I will give God all the glory for letting me be an instrument of his mercy.