Category Archives for "questions"

Ice Breaker – Lunch Time Meet-Ups

I love ice breaker questions.  These are questions used to help people get to know each other – to “break the ice” so to speak.  I love to hear what other people have to say and how they think.  So for today, I’m throwing out a simple ice breaker question.  I’ll answer it first, then it’s your turn.  Answer the question by leaving a comment for us all to enjoy.  Thanks!

Question:  If you could have lunch or coffee with three people you don’t know, who would they be?

My Answer:  Hmmm…. (that’s me thinking).

1.  I’d love to meet Bono.  Not only am I a huge U2 fan, I’m intrigued by Bono’s call to action in ending poverty and injustice.  I think he would have some amazing things to share.

2.  I’d go with Barack Obama.  If you must know, I didn’t vote for him.  I’ve always leaned conservatively right (just ask my brother).  Despite this, I think it would be very interesting to have some one-on-one time with Mr. Obama.  I’d be curious to learn how he and his family keep first things first while living in the spotlight.  I’d like to know how he manages his stress.

3.  Lunch with Michael Jordan would be a treat.  I grew up cheering for him.  My bedroom was plastered in Michael Jordan posters.  I loved watching his videos (like Come Fly With Me).  I don’t get the impression that he’s made the best decisions outside of basketball, but I think it would be interesting to talk about his regrets along with his high points.  I’d also like to talk to him about his faith.  I have no idea where he stands.

So there you have it, my three lunch time meet-ups.  Now it’s your turn….

Less Like Scars

“It’s been a hard year, but I’m climbing out of the rubble.

These lessons are hard, healing changes are subtle.”

– Sara Groves

Recently, I’ve had several people ask how things are going…how’s Leanne?  Almost a year ago, Leanne was hospitalized.  We’ve spent the past year recovering and rediscovering new normals, new priorities, and renewed appreciation and passion for each other, for friends and family, and for life.  God is good!

As I look back on my journal and my blog from the past year I see pain, loneliness, and despair, but I also see healing, connection, and hope.  Sara Groves song, Less Like Scars, speaks so clearly to my thoughts as I look back on this past year.

It’s been a hard year
But I’m climbing out of the rubble
These lessons are hard
Healing changes are subtle
But every day it’s

Less like tearing, more like building
Less like captive, more like willing
Less like breakdown, more like surrender
Less like haunting, more like remember

And I feel you here
And you’re picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad situation
But you are able
And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars and more like
Character

Less like a prison, more like my room
It’s less like a casket, more like a womb
Less like dying, more like transcending
Less like fear, less like an ending

And I feel you here
And you’re picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad situation
But you are able
And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars

Just a little while ago
I couldn’t feel the power or the hope
I couldn’t cope, I couldn’t feel a thing
Just a little while back
I was desperate, broken, laid out, hoping
You would come

And I need you
And I want you here
And I feel you

And I know you’re here
And you’re picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad, bad situation
But you are able

And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars

And more like
Character

Today, I rejoice.  I praise God for significant milestones achieved in the healing process.  I’m thankful for a new compassion for families faced with the challenges of mental illness and other health problems.  And I smile as I realize the promise of a bright future with hope for tomorrow.  God is good!

(And by the way, Leanne is doing well – and so am I.  Thanks for asking.)

How are you?  How have you seen your scars transformed?

Googling God

 

As a little kid, I can remember having lots of questions about God, heaven, and life.  I asked questions like, “Who created God?” and “Where did God come from?”  I asked, “What was there before God created the heavens and the earth?”  As I was driving home from work yesterday, I was reminded of my child-like curiousity.  For some reason I questioned to myself, “What language will we speak in heaven?” and “How will we understand each other?  Will we have decoders built in to our heavenly bodies?”  I know these questions sound somewhat humorous, but it’s the jumping off point for many other questions that race around my head.

Last year at this time, I found my self asking God more questions as I stood by my wife as she battled the challenges of bipolar disorder.  At one point, I asked “Why?”  “Why would God allow us to go through this?”  “Why is there bipolar disorder?”  “Why doesn’t anyone talk about mental illness and the challenges that come to families as a result of these illnesses?”  These questions still race around my head.

I think we all have questions for God that range across a wide spectrum from humorous to curiosity to doubt.  Last night, I asked my men’s group what questions they have for God, and it was amusing and interesting to hear their responses.

How was God always there?

Where was God born?

Will I be able to fly in heaven?

If God is all knowing and all powerful, why would He need or desire our love?

Why do I ask why questions?

Will Jesus out trash-talk me?

Will I get full at the banquet table?

Are there bathrooms in heaven?

Do we eat in heaven?

Will all our questions be answered in heaven?

What it there to do in heaven?

Will I really be singing all day?

Do I have free will in heaven?

These were just a few of the questions that were brought up as we sat around the table.  I think it can be healthy to ask questions.  But there’s also a trust factor.  I know that God is in control.  I know that He knows what is best.  I know that I’m not God.  But I still have questions from time to time.

How about you?  What questions do you have for God?

The Power of the Next Question

A blurb from my journal dated 5/18/11…

“I made it to my men’s group at Limerick Diner after missing it the past few weeks.  It was good to be back.  I was reminded this evening about the importance of asking the ‘next’ question.  So often we ask a basic question, but we don’t follow it up with questions that take us deeper.  Either we’re too lazy or we just don’t care.  I don’t want to be like this.”

Without going into specifics, one of the guys in our group seemed a bit down when we were initially going around the table at the beginning of our time together.  After this initial check-in, our conversation drifted to other subject matters.  My friend’s initial comment was temporarily ignored as we joked around and talked about other things.  It would have been easy to let our time together end without following up.  So often, I fall into this trap.  For some reason towards the end of this time, I asked him what was up – why did he seem down.

It’s amazing the conversation that followed.

It was so worth asking the ‘next’ question.  I think it was an opportunity for our group to rally around our friend.  I think it was a chance for us to be more transparent.  I think it was a chance for us all to grow.  I’m thankful that my friend was willing to open up and share what was troubling him.

As I stated in my journal that night, I don’t want to be too lazy or self focused to ask the ‘next’ question.

So when was the last time someone asked you the next question?  How did it work out?

Googling God

This week our church started a four week sermon series entitled “Googling God.” Basically, the congregation was asked to write down any question they would ask God or want to hear more about from the stage. This week’s question: Is the Bible Real? Our adult ministries pastor (Frank) did an excellent job addressing the question. Here are the questions for the next three weeks: Week 2-How Can I follow Someone I Can’t See? Week 3-Evolution vs. Intelligent Design Week 4-Why Does God Allow Suffering?

It should be an interesting sermon series.

Here are a few of my notes from today:

There is internal evidence that the Bible is real:
– The Bible claims to be inspired (by God) 2 Timothy 3:16
– The Bible speaks with authority John 7:46
– There is unity of the writings
– All the books address the fallen state of mankind
– All the books address one solution – God’s grace
– Prophesy
– Many of the prophesies in the Bible have already been fulfilled
– Reliability of the text
– There are ~500 original manuscripts that all support each other

There is external evidence that the Bible is real:
– Historical accuracy
– You can actually go to many of the places described in the Bible
– Unsurpassed worldwide distribution and influence
– The Bible sells between 30 and 50 million copies a year
– The Bible has been published in 1200 languages
– The Bible changes lives Hebrews 4:12
– Look around and see the lives in our own church that have been changed

Here are a few questions that I might ask God:
1. Why can’t the Phillies (or any team from Philadelphia) win a championship?
2. How can we reach so many people who are far from God in our area who have everything?
3. Why does there have to be so much disunity among followers of Christ?

I’d be curious to know what some of your questions would be.

Until the next post….

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