Reinforcements
I have a tendency to be very overprotective. Although my intentions are good, my tendency has been to make decisions and take actions for people that I care about during times of trouble. It is the warrior in me. This aspect of my personality is the one that tends to rely on a combination of physical strength and impulsive reactions which is completely and totally independent from what my Heavenly Father might have me do during that time. Needless to say, I don't particularly like this aspect of my personality and so I have spent a great deal of time working on how I enter into the battle with those that I care about. For the most part, I have been able to modify this behavior (well, except when it comes to my wife and kids - that is another challenge all to itself) so that I don't revert into my caffeine crazed Spartan like alter ego much anymore. For that, I give God all the glory and honor with credit to my wife and friends for teaching me how to do this.
Those of you who read my blogs on a regular basis know that I have a movie thing going on. I am sure that by now, many of you have grown weary of me making references to movies to illustrate my point and would prefer that I find a nice Star Wars convention to spend my time at so that you would be spared my "dizzying intellect" and non-linear thoughts. For what is worth, my wife feels that way every once in a while as well so you are in good company. In an attempt to be sensitive, my reference today is not to a movie, but a song.
This song was originally recorded by "The Prentenders" and has very special significance to me as I gave my wife the lyrics to this song early on in our relationship. When I heard that someone else had recorded a version of this song, a song that means so much to me and is reflective of my feelings toward my wife, well, the caffeine crazed Spartan might have made an appearance... But you know what, after listening to it, I have to admit that it wasn't bad. In fact, I kind of liked it.
After thinking about it for awhile, I believe that God is reaffirming my calling through this particular version of this song. Here are the reasons why I believe this to be true:
1) Since I am overly overprotective of this song and the meaning that it has for me, actually liking this version seems to be validation of the work that He has done, and is still doing in me, to let go of my overprotective nature.
2) My heart and desire is to walk along side those in need of assistance during the battles that they face in their life. This song is all about that for sure.
3) It is possible to share my desire with the world without feeling like I am robbing my wife of something that is very special to the both of us. The original recording of this song by The Pretenders, is what I shared with my wife. That recording will always be sacred and something that remains between her and I. This version, however, I share with each of you...
With that, here is the song. I hope that you like it. As you listen, please know that we, your brothers in sisters in Christ, are here and will gladly lend you our sword during times of trouble. Fight well - you are not alone....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xstLRWHgD2Q
Your brother in Christ,
Jim
Those of you who read my blogs on a regular basis know that I have a movie thing going on. I am sure that by now, many of you have grown weary of me making references to movies to illustrate my point and would prefer that I find a nice Star Wars convention to spend my time at so that you would be spared my "dizzying intellect" and non-linear thoughts. For what is worth, my wife feels that way every once in a while as well so you are in good company. In an attempt to be sensitive, my reference today is not to a movie, but a song.
This song was originally recorded by "The Prentenders" and has very special significance to me as I gave my wife the lyrics to this song early on in our relationship. When I heard that someone else had recorded a version of this song, a song that means so much to me and is reflective of my feelings toward my wife, well, the caffeine crazed Spartan might have made an appearance... But you know what, after listening to it, I have to admit that it wasn't bad. In fact, I kind of liked it.
After thinking about it for awhile, I believe that God is reaffirming my calling through this particular version of this song. Here are the reasons why I believe this to be true:
1) Since I am overly overprotective of this song and the meaning that it has for me, actually liking this version seems to be validation of the work that He has done, and is still doing in me, to let go of my overprotective nature.
2) My heart and desire is to walk along side those in need of assistance during the battles that they face in their life. This song is all about that for sure.
3) It is possible to share my desire with the world without feeling like I am robbing my wife of something that is very special to the both of us. The original recording of this song by The Pretenders, is what I shared with my wife. That recording will always be sacred and something that remains between her and I. This version, however, I share with each of you...
With that, here is the song. I hope that you like it. As you listen, please know that we, your brothers in sisters in Christ, are here and will gladly lend you our sword during times of trouble. Fight well - you are not alone....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xstLRWHgD2Q
Your brother in Christ,
Jim
Nice. One question though. "This aspect of my personality is the one that tends to rely on a combination of physical strength and impulsive reactions which is completely and totally independent from what my Heavenly Father might have me do during that time."
Read John 2:13-22 again. Remember, John doesn't put this at the end of Jesus ministry like the other 3 Gospels. He's trying to make sure we undersatnd who Jesus is before we get to far into the story. Who Jesus REALLY is. Do you think that it was really that bad in the temple? For "the day" the livestock and doves provided a great service to people who traveled to make a sacrafice. For "the day" the money changers where like the currency exchange booths we have in airports today and served a great service to those who travelled long distances (for a small profit). Was it really all that bad there? Maybe sometimes God does want us to react that way to situations just to get people's attention. Are you SURE those times are totally independent of what God would have you do? How do you know?
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Thanks for the feedback Thomas. Your question is an interesting one - one that I need to think about. I believe, at least for me, that there is a difference between fighting for someone and being overprotective. When I fight for someone, God is part of the equation. In other words, it may be that He leads me to act in a manner similiar in nature to the actions that I take when I am being overprotective but it is based upon what He is calling and leading me to do. When I have been overprotective in the past, however, there hasn't been any room in those situations for Him to be present as my actions are independent of what He might have me do during those times. During those times, it may be that God really desires the person that I am protecting to deal with the situation that they are going through instead of me rushing in and doing alll that I can to keep them from dealing with that situation. For me, and perhaps for me only, that is the difference.
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