Author: Wick

Husband, Father, Pastor, Missionary, Writer, Poet, Friend, reader, coffee enthusiast, hockey Wing-Nut, musical participator, etc...
Posted in Uncategorized

feedin’ goats.

Posted on by Wick

A couple weeks ago I decided to give up my Facebook. (kinda)

Yes, if you look around you’ll find a youth ministry page I’ve set up, where I can post statuses, ministry updates, and stay connected with people I know through official ministry connections.  I may even end up in a picture from time to time.

But as for my personal page, it was time to let go.  I’m not saying it’s for everyone – but for me, it’s been a great move.

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus gives us a great story about what happens when He’s around.  Things are brought into the light, and seen for what they truly are.  In the case noted, people who claimed they live for Jesus are seen as a different group from those who actually live for Him.  Things that advertise their inherent “goodness” or separated from those things that are actually Good.

I think that many of us “feed the goats” in our lives on a regular basis, simply because they’re hungry little things, and often so darn cute/persistent.  You see, Facebook wasn’t evil.  It never showed up on my doorstep, secretly plotting to subvert the health of my life.  But as seen in the picture here, goats can often force the truly important things, such as my own children and family, to the background.

This happened in the form of always being “on”, even simply in the background of my mind.  I’m the kind of person who checks the mail on the way into the house, even if it’s been brought in already.  Having e-mail is hard enough.  I’d get a “fix” every time I had opportunity to click the little red notification of a new comment, like, or message.

I’m a relational “Type A” personality.  I love to be social, and usually that’s been tempered by the fact that I have “downtime” on a regular basis.  But thanks to the book of faces, I had access to connect with others at any time of day or night.  Time that, even though I don’t always claim it, I need once in while to myself to stay balanced.

Maybe the goats take different forms in your life.  My wife can wrangle Facebook down and hogtie it just fine.  What else might it be?  Perhaps it’s a hobby, a habit, or a routine part of your day.  Sometimes it’s outright unhealthy.  But other times, it’s just a hungry persistent “thing” that pops up on a regular basis, taking away something or claiming an undeserved spot among the things we value.

Whatever it may be, may God be with you as you choose purposefully to stop feeding the goats this week…and may you find yourself with a bit more to offer those things that have purpose in the Kingdom as a result…

Posted in Different Scriptures, Different Thoughts

ponies and caring.

Posted on by Wick

It happens a thousand times a day.  Okay, that may be a hyperbole (exaggeration for emphasis), but it happens daily, and usually several times a day.  One of our children will come up to us with a request.  We love our children, and would LOVE to give them every good thing.  But on many occasions, the thing they’re asking for would not quite be the best thing for them.

Case in point: ponies.

They’re great at a birthday party, or a state fair.  They’re even awesome at a friends’ house.  Some people may have the ability to own one as a pet, and take care of it well.

We do not.  Even if our daughters would love one.

In Luke 23:43, we see Jesus loving one of God’s children, by responding to His request a bit differently than expected.  We hear about this story all the time.  It’s about the men who were hung next to Jesus at Golgotha, crucified for what they’d done against Rome and the people.  Both mock Jesus, but one has a turn of heart and eventually asks Jesus, “remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

At this point we generally hear something about how Jesus spoke His agreement, and the man attained “salvation”.

But as we look closer, we see Jesus not quite giving the man what he was asking for.  We know that Jesus was viewed by many as not just a theological savior, but as a political savior also.  The “messiah” who would free them from Roman rule, and establish the Kingdom of God (think Rome, but with God instead of Caesar) on earth.  This man is suddenly convinced that Jesus is the messiah, and wants to be remembered when this Kingdom of God comes about.

To this, Jesus smiles with love, and offers the man something even better.  Freedom from the desire to be in power over Rome.  Jesus points the man toward “paradise”, a place of existence in the presence of Jesus, to await the completion of what God has begun.  Sure enough, the Kingdom of God is launched in Jesus Christ.  But even in His dying moment, Jesus takes the time to redirect someone who wants power and “being”, and offers something even better – His presence.

Isn’t it good to know that when we pray, God loves us enough to give us more than we even know to ask for???