It's best to play it safe

Hall & Morcsh write about this myth in their book, "When There's No Burning Bush."

After I read this chapter, I realized as of recent how much this speaks volumes to me.

I do not know if any of you can relate, but there has always been something easy about taking the safe path. I know I have made decisions where I may have chosen one way, but decided to take the sure thing. I mean, I would like to think i'm the type that would live the current common sports motto, "Go big, or go home." Or in the sales world it would be, "I'm not here for the steak knives." In reality, I am taking those strides to get out of my comfort zone to have the faith that God will bless my decisions, but it's not easy, and usually at first, not so comfortable.

It's funny how we have become conditioned to take the safe road. I think a lot of it stems from something I heard in a message on the radio. It's a fact that one of the top motivators of people is fear. I mean how many times have you contemplated doing one thing or going one direction, then to change your mind to take the safer route?

I think God wants us to think big, to take risks, and to rely more on Him.

I think we need to count on making mistakes. The authors explain how we need to 'fail intelligently'. It makes sense, we need to be somewhat calculating, but not so hindered that we slight creativity. Point being, that it normally takes risks, and failures, to succeed in a big way. Just ask Thomas Edison, or maybe just read about him. I would like to think God thinks this way too. Who's perfect? Who's going to have all the answers? Who's never going to do wrong? Who's never going to fail?

I would think that not many can claim to any of those questions.

In the same chapter the writers talk about Jesus and the disciples the night on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked on water. Normally, we think of the story how Peter's faith was tested when he started sinking. The fact is that Peter was the only apostle to get out of the boat. Peter clearly stepped out of his comfort zone. Peter was the 'rock.' I wonder if I would have played it safe and been a spectator?

I think this parallels a lot of the decisions that we make as Christians.

"The Passage"

Naked soul, so lost, and broken

Salient to find rich closeness

Defiant, riddled, and shamelessly sour

So unfit to give in fullness

Flesh and spirit spry

Body and mind acutely restive

Marching and combing for the truth

The world painted gray and derisive

Redeemed and drawn by One

Accepting, transforming, and saving

Failures shine with lucid iniquity

New eyes, ears, piercing, raving

Inward to outward, selfish to selfless

Fueled and fed by benevolence

Notes in harmony, flavors so sweet

Torn between anxiousness and patience

The path beaten, the cross heavy

Maturity does not rescue us

The peaks, the valleys, continually persevere

Trials build strength and purpose

The enemy abides with deception and hate

Attacking, destroying, and killing

Sin so real, so common, so illusive

The battle is on, the powers are testing

The choices are ours, the outcome written

We are a letter, waiting to be read

A living example for those to follow

The light, the salt for those that need to be fed

May we remember that through Him

We are clothed, found, and gracefully healed.

-Banks

Who's Who

Today marks two years blogging. I have enjoyed sharing my thoughts, ideas, and experiences through the past couple years. Now I would like to acknowledge with thanks those that I value, and that have truly have made an impact in my life.

Parents- thanks for your support and encouragement
Brother- your great advice and understanding
Sister- being the best sister anyone could have
Tronster- leading LG with you has been rewarding, big plans ahead for our group
Mark- the fact that you are growing as leader inspires me to grow
Dave C.- showing compassion in a whole other way, miss the Cowans.
Dave R.- your hospitality and assertiveness is great
Jenn- you have an amazing heart for the needs of the community
BJ- diving into the community and adding a relaxed way, and humor
Aaron- showing me selflessness and passion to help those in need.
Dustin- you bring a lot to the community and LG, I’ve enjoyed our friendship.
Ted- ‘designer Ted’ is the ‘real deal’. Your passion to use your creativity rocks.
Christy- showing me amazing strength and ‘true faith’. God will bless you.
Katie- your willingness to ask the hard questions is a strength.
Eli- you have a servant heart, thanks for all your handy work and friendship
Scott- you are a great person and friend, if I have a question I know who to ask
Rebecca- your friendship and joking around has always been great.
Shannon- your nurturing gift inspires everyone around you.
Lydia- we miss you at link group, you have a great way of connecting others
Sandy- I’ve always enjoyed your wit and sarcasm. You are a great friend
Jason- thanks bro all the help around the house, looking forward to hanging out more
Paul- thanks for your patience and help around the place. You are a great roommate
Mary- your growth and passion to seek out God’s will is contagious
Jonesy- you are a fun person and good friend%