Outside the box

I admit, I’m a little nervous and not entirely sure what to expect.

What’s happening? I’m cancelling my cable as of tomorrow morning. Even though I only have the bare minimum package, I still think I’m watching far too much. Far too much of nothing actually.

So, other than the occasional movie, that box on the shelf will be considerably dimmer over the next while. I anticipate the possibility of more walks, more books read, more libraries visited and more naps taken.

I’ll keep you posted on the withdrawal symptoms.

The Voice

Recently, a friend ask how I knew it was God speaking to me in a certain situation. I thought it might be useful for others and have posted an edited version here.

Knowing God’s voice is something that has taken me quite a long time and remains something I am not very good at. Two things have helped: knowing that everything happens for a reason and faith.

The first does not refer to some type of abstract cerebral knowing; this is the knowing of experience that comes with hindsight. I have seen the puzzle pieces come together months and even years later. There are other situations that I still don’t understand but I chalk it up to not been able to see enough of the overall picture.

Although faith could appear to be the same as “everything for a reason”, I see it a little differently. “Everything for a reason” focuses on the outcome, whether it be desirable or undesirable, and how to reconcile this outcome into my worldview. Desirableness (rather than good or bad) is a condition of my perspective, understanding and selfishness.

Faith itself has more to do with process than endpoint — a verb rather than a noun. Words like assurance and trust might bring you closer to my intent. Essentially, that I set out on a path and rely on God to meet a need. I will share an example. When I was trying to figure out what to in university, I came upon two options: become a pharmacist or teach English francophone Canada. They both seemed equally interesting, so I prepared, applied and awaited the outcome. I did as much as I could on my own first, then told God that I would trust Him to provide direction; whichever opportunity I was accepted into first would be where I would go. For whatever reason, let’s call it faith, I assumed that both paths would be open to me. I was put on a waiting list to teach English. Then, a month or so later, I got my acceptance letter into pharmacy one evening. The next morning was a phone call with an opening to teach English. Pharmacy came first, so that’s what I did — trusting it was divine orchestration.

There are a few things that I think can help in knowing God’s voice is His.
1) Bible reading. I am horribly inconsistent with this. However, in the last few months, it has been slightly more regular. The point here is that I need to understand who God actually is. What is His character? How does He normally act? Can people change His “mind”? What is His desired outcome for you, the situation, and all of creation?
2) Prayer (and revelation). I am only slightly more consistent with this. I view prayer as a conversation. Sure, I think God can speak to me through other means (God reveals himself in nature, through other people, in Biblical texts, in dreams and visions, through circumstance). Prayer, as a basic form of communication, seems a logical forum if you anticipate it to go two ways. Often prayer time can be mostly me talking and not much of me listening.
3) Understanding God’s calling. This is partly related to spiritual gifts but also interests, passions, and trades/skills. Buechner says “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
4) Other Christians. Essentially this is discernment, an outside set of eyes on your situation. If there is doubt about whose voice it is (God’s, yours, other), then someone else should be approached for their insight or interpretation. Chances are, they are going to use the points I have already discussed: does the purported statement from God align with His character and purposes?

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Pot of gold stars

I frequently hand out “verbal” gold stars. It’s always at least one; possibly five if you have done truly fantastic work. And I always mean to start carrying around my actual gold star stickers. (A remnant of my piano teaching days.) Someday, I might start doing that.

I think people, even grown-ups, appreciate that recognition. Even though that certificate of appreciation might just get recycled, that moment of validation is worth it. Thank you cards are wonderful but can appear a bit formal at times.

So here’s to handing out gold stars (tangible or verbal). Perhaps your pot of gold stars can sit beside your package of rainbow Sharpies or Duck tape.

Broadcasted

Finally! It’s so refreshing to find a program that plays my very favourites and introduces me to some new friends. Having been raised on CBC radio, it’s wonderful to be drawn back again.

It’s now almost a daily occurrence to find myself scrambling for a piece of paper in the car to jot down a track or artist I simply must hear again. Who knew someone would play a mix of indie-folk-pop-alt-rock delights?!

Thanks ever so kindly, a new loyal listener.

Let’s make some introductions. Some new friends:
Damhnait Doyle (especially More than this)
Jets Overhead (download their tracks too … for however price you’ll pay)
Harry Manx (check out Bottom of the Hill)
Loretta Lynn’s High on a Mountaintop
Michael Jerome Browne’s version of Pouring Water on a Drowning Man

go / proceed

go
intransitive verb
1: to move on a course : proceed
2: to move out of or away from a place expressed or implied

proceed
intransitive verb
1: to continue after a pause or interruption
2: to begin and carry on an action, process or movement