the thing about activities

What do you do for fun?

What activities define you?

A couple days ago, Soo & I were going through His Needs, Her Needs the other day and came across a section of listing recreational activities to do together

Soo came up with 11, I came up with 45

I was pretty specific in most instances, though I did combine some.

I went back and listed them in order… then decided to lump some together – and still had 20.

The thing is, most of them were not things I do very often or do at all anymore.

Most of my favorite things are things I used to do- when I was in college, or younger at least.

I mean, I didn’t put down the highschool stuff… but I am getting old

How often do I play basketball anymore? Do I even play catch?

Of course, some things require groups of people – like Ultimate… or even freezetag… and other things you can only do when it is warm or in certain places that have the facilities like golf, driving range, mini-golf, raquetball, ping-pong

These days what do I do for fun?

1.     sit in a coffee shop/bookstore/panera & read (or really any place and read)

2.     watch sports

3.     watch tv shows

4.     watch movies

5.     write

6.     hang out with friends (and talk about babies)

7.     Settlers of Catan

but when I look back, the most enjoyable times were

1.     talking with a small group of people about life & God (maybe at a restaurant or a starbucks)

2.     playing basketball

3.     Late night conversations (maybe at dennys or steak n shake)

4.     discussing theology

5.     Ultimate or Football

6.     Prayer & Praise

7.     Tv shows like Seinfeld, Simpsons, scrubs

8.     Watching sports

9.     Discussing tv shows or movies

10. Playing catch (baseball or football)

11. Ping-pong

12. Watching bad movies & making fun of it

This morning (the day I wrote this) I was playing with Halle and asked her if she would be more like her mom or like her dad.

As I thought about that, I wondered what activities make me stand out? What is my niche

I first thought of the friends episode where Emma says her “first word” and it was a scientific word and it made Ross so happy… then I thought of the other episode when they were talking about how jokes are Chandler’s thing

On friends –it is so easy. Chandler is all about humor & jokes. Ross is all about science & history. Joey is all about his looks (or sex) and having a good time.

Even with real life friends, it can be easy to pick out.

For Soo, she is artistic, and likes shopping and is hospitable & serving and all about food.

I can think of other friends who are all about singing praise or others who are all about theology or all about reading or all about sports.

But what about me?

I’d like to think I’m all about God- but that’s not really true.

Some may think I’m all about missions. I don’t know there either

I used to be a sportsnut – but I’m not quite there anymore (or maybe I am)

What actitvity sticks out? Wasting time? Procrastinating? Eating junk food?

Maybe the better question is: What do I want to stick out? What activities do I want to define me? How do I want to be remembered or known?

How about you?

What is your niche? What activities define you?

How do you want to be known?

And I’m curious what do you think sticks out about me?

And what do you do for fun?

Comments welcome and appreciated

the one with Ricky Gervais

I know since this happened almost 5 days ago now this is old news, but I wanted to share some thoughts on Ricky Gervais.

Gervais hosted the golden globes on Sunday. I would say the few parts I saw were pretty awkward. I guess he is funny… but also… not so much joy… Soo likes him as do many others

I guess I could see how he created the office… by the way wouldn’t it be interesting if he took over for Steve Carrel and became the new boss on the office?

(still i think Kevin is the funniest part of the show, every show)

At the end of the show he said “And I thank God for making me an Athiest”

I saw another quote from him “If only one person believed in God, he’d be called crazy, but since it is popular it is accepted.”

In reply:

Well, of course if only one person believed something the rest of the world would think he is crazy. No one would argue that. People probably thought Rosa Parks was crazy for sitting in the front of the bus. When MLK spoke of his dream, people thought he was crazy. JFK wanting to put a man on the moon was crazy.

People thinking you are crazy, doesn’t make it less true.

If you were the only one to believe there wasn’t a God, people would think you were crazy too… but it is actually quite popular to not believe in God, so… it’s not thought to be that crazy.

It really is crazy though – I admit it.

The Simpsons do an episode where Marge goes to an insane asylum after admitting she prays to God. She talks to someone she can’t see. That is pretty crazy.

And y’know what is even more crazy? That a man would claim to be God. How crazy is that? I mean, if I heard a person say he was God, I would pretty quickly dismiss him… which is what most people did with Jesus.

But even more crazy… that God- the all-powerful, self-sustaining, creator of the universe who has everything – would come down and become a man. Become a baby even… be completely dependent… and have nothing… and then be mocked & humiliated… and die a gruesome death on a cross.

You know, I am amazed every time someone says they believe it. It is quite ridiculous.

And I believe it.

Perhaps I am a fool.

Of course, there are those who die to defend this truth.

Jesus died.

And so did His disciples. Died gruesome deaths.

People were stoned to death, burned to death, put on crosses, executed, jailed, cut in half… horrible things… and it still happens!

People still die.

Jim Elliot went to the Auca Indians in Ecuador… and people warned him he;d be eaten alive by cannibals….

And he did

Was he a fool?

He said “He is no fool to give up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”

… I agree.

Ricky Gervais can make fun of anyone he wants to.

He can be bitter towards others.

He can make his movies mocking God, and can mock God in public.

And he can enjoy his millions of dollars.

I hope him the best.

But I do think it is sad.

Because he gives thanks to God for making him an atheist.

But really… in day to day life – who does he give thanks to?

When things go really well- does he just pat himself on the back?

Does he just consider himself lucky and smile.

Doesn’t he want someone to thank?

Hey, that’s no reason to believe in God.

But it is one of the perks.

Believe God because He is true, He is real.

I think the evidence is overwhelming.

Where did we come from if not from a designer?

There has to be a beginning point.

And how does matter become something like human with emotions and feelings and will and love?

Sure, we can’t see God, but we can’t see love, and we believe love exists. We can’t see wind, but we can see the effects of the wind.

And we have Christ… who proved Himself by coming back from the dead. It is far-fetched perhaps… but why were so many willing to die? Would they die for a lie? All of them? Look at how different their lives were after the resurrection.

I believe God is true. Even if I look like a fool.

My priorities

When people make their list of priorities, people often say God is their number 1 priority.

I don’t.

God is not my #1 priority...

because God isn’t something to be prioritized in life

 – He is life.

He is part of every aspect of life.

He is central to every aspect of life

Even to say my relationship with God is my number one priority- what does that mean?

Does that mean your quiet time?

Keep God #1 as in time doesn’t make sense because God should be central to everything you do.

I can’t say the same about my wife or kids. And shouldn’t say that about my ministry.

God ought permeate everything. Walking with God is in everything. Whether I am reading the Bible or watching tv. If I’m sharing my faith or talking with a friend.

God is not a priority, He is everything!

I listed my values earlier.

And thus what are my priorities?

Acknowledging God is in everything, and I walk with Christ moment by moment, I yield on the Spirit to lead me and guide me and I do everything for the glory of God- what are my priorities?

I hope to enjoy God & enjoy life, have fun, grow, etc

What needs to take highest priority in life? Which will yield to the next

In what ways can I most honor & glorify God? In what ways can I love God?

1.     Soo (my wife)

2.     My kids (right now just Halle)

3.     My team or community or church

a.     Co-leader

b.     Guys I’m discipling/coaching/training

c.      Other guys

4.     Spiritual disciplines/spiritual development activities/growing in understanding God’s Word

5.     The believers I minister to

6.     My best friends

7.     My relationship with non-Chirstians

8.     The other aspects of ministry

9.     Personal & Leadership development & growth

10. Physical health

11. My extended family

12. My other friends

Something like that... it can be a lil fluid... 

Oh Christ, be the center of my life

May i practice the presence of God in everything i do.

And may i keep the main things the main thing, prioritize appropriately, follow You, honor others, love well, glorify You.

mook on breakfast (The thing about breakfast)

Dad is so great, he gives us chocolate cake…

 (see this if you don't understand)

I don’t understand breakfast rules.

You can eat waffles, pancakes, muffins, poptarts, cereal, breakfast bars… but cake? Cookies? You’re the worst person in the world.

Jim Gaffigan does this well

The other day I saw cake sitting out, but I knew if I ate a piece, I’d never hear the end of it from my wife… if I waited 3 hours and ate it with lunch, I’d probably be ok….

Still, I love breakfast – it is the best meal of the day!

(Note: I didn’t see most important, though that may also be true).

It is the best, because it is the best tasting. I really should eat breakfast more often.

Some of my favorite all-time meals are breakfast

1.     waffles

2.     doughnuts

3.     bacon

4.     choc-chip pancakes

5.     sweet rolls

6.     biscuits & gravy

7.     cinnamon rolls (Cinnabonn)

8.     cinnamon bread

9.     pancakes & maple syrup

10. pancakes and strawberry syrup

11. bacon cheese egg biscuit

12. scrambled eggs with cheese & bacon

Jim Gaffigan also tells the wonders of bacon quite well.

I love eating breakfast at all times of day. There is nothing more wonderful than eating a waffle in the evening… and I love going to dennys at 3am- it is special!

The question now becomes

How can I eat breakfast to the glory of God?

1.     Do I treasure the breakfast food more or God, the giver of the food more?

2.     Can I give Him thanks, and thank Him genuinely when I eat?

3.     Perhaps I can relish eat bite, and thus remind myself how God is more sweet than this.
Psalm 34:8 Taste and See that the Lord is good.

4.     Maybe I just need to recite verses about food
Your love is better than choice food
Man does not live on bread alone

While God is more important than food, I think He wants us to enjoy food.

Jesus did after all feed the 5,000. And not because He had to, or because it was expected of Him. He wanted to. He wanted to provide a feast.

And in Revelation when it talks of Heaven, it talks of it as being the feast of the bridegroom.

Yes, I can eat breakfast to the glory of God

Yes, Dad is great! Let's sing praises to Him!

My Values

After doing my chazown (see previous post) and looking over my life and some thought
i came up with these values

I value…

[edit]

most important: glorifying & honoring God & loving God & following Christ - and most specifically as known thru the Bible

1.     Knowing God
intimately
  and rightly
in ALL things

That is, I want to know God, I want to see God I want to experience God – in every circumstance, everything I read, everything I watch, everything I do – and in every conversation- I want to know God better, talk about God, see what God is doing.
Most importantly, I want to have intimate knowledge of God
And secondly, I want it to be truth

2.     True Community – that is Christ-centered, Authentic Community
that develops lasting friendships
 which are both deep and fun

Friendships should be places where we can share vulnerably, openly and honestly

I want to be some one who cares, and I want others around me to care too

I want conversations to be deep

And I want to share a lot of laughs and have a lot of fun

Friendships are very important to me & I believe Community is vital to growth and knowing God

3.     God’s Glory in the Nations

4.     Surrender to the Lordship of Christ

5.     Faith

6.     Prayer & Praise

7.     Ease

Let’s be honest here: I want life to be easy.

Esp in relationships

And I will choose the easy way to do things, always.

The previous values come first… so if it goes against God, if it deters true community, if it keeps me from knowing God, then…

8.     Helping others Grow

Really, the other values include that- esp #2… but also certainly #4… and when I say grow, I mean #1…& #2-4

9.     Inclusion & Empowerment (with Freedom to Fail)

This is what I needed, and what I want to give to others
I suppose this could be in #2 or in #6

10. Fun/joy/laughter

11. Remembering/Reflecting

12. Self-discovery & self-evaluation

My chazown

While walking thru the bookstore i saw this book Cha-zown.... weired, but i took a look... and pretty interesting... actually it is stuff i love to talk about and teach on... determining your values and priorities and coming up with a mission statement... i didn't read the book, but i copied down the questions for self-reflection... then went to the website - and it's all there!

Are you trying to find your niche?
OR do you just like self-exploration?
Well, this may be pretty cool and/or fun to look at- as well as helpful

http://chazown.com

It's free

Interesting to me was the Spiritual gifts assessment... now i don't think all the gifts these tests say are gifts are Sp gifts- maybe they're talents or abilities... many are actually just position... and i don't know what to think of the supernatural gifts, but that is besides the point...


my top 5 from the test:
1. Faith
2.Wisdom
3. Missionary
4. Writing
5. Shepherding/Pastoring

I always thought shepherding, faith and then maybe exhortation/encouragment or teaching or giving or hospitality…. Nevr thought wisdom

But when I asked Soo

She said insight and exhortation…

Never would have thought wisdom…

I don’t think writing is an actual spiritual gift… and I don’t think missionary or pastor is a gift either- but a position… but that is for another time…

It also helped me think thru values as i looked over the big events of my life...

i also like strength finder, though you have to pay for that


And i've been reading the Me you want to be

And i'm asking people to help me with Johari Window
i did it a few years ago.
Help me out
http://kevan.org/johari?name=mmmmmookie

A lot of self-discovery... but hopefully not obsession with myself... Also working thru
"Doctrine" by Driscol and "For the Fame of God's Name" the recent book given to Piper...

11 things for 2011

i'm not big on resolutions.... but i do think setting goals is a good idea... and i like making lists... so...


11 things for 2011

1. 11 goals

1.     Read Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekial, Hosea … and perhaps the whole Bible

2.     Study Colossians, I Timothy, Exodus and Mark

3.     Get down to 159 lbs and stay in the 145-160 range (Reduce pant size to 32 waist (maybe 31))

4.     Memorize 100 verses

5.     Pray for 100 different countries… maybe 300

6.     Memorize the 4 Laws, names of the books of the Bible & our SPP in another language

7.     Run a 5K, maybe 10 K or half-marathon

8.     Learn how to cook something amazing

9.     Write/Collect at least 30 devos from Deuteronomy or Write 100 devos

10. meet with a mentor/pastor

11.  Go a week without looking at facebook, twitter or espn

2. 11 books to finish reading (as in i've already started)

1.     Shepherding a child’s heart (1)

2.     His Needs, Her Needs (2)

3.     The ME you want to be (3)

4.     Safely Home (16)

5.     The Good News we almost forgot (5)

6.     66 love letters (6)

7.     Redeeming Love (15)

8.     Trusting God

9.   Sp depression
10.  Outliers

11. An Ordinary Pastor (12)

 

3. 11 more books to read later

1.     Doctrine (7)

2.     Sex & the Supremacy of Christ (11)

3.    Leaders who Last (14)

4.     For the Fame of God’s Name (4)

5.     Marriage builder (17)

6.     Sacred Parenting (10)

7.     A God-entranced Vision for All things (13)

8.     The hole in our Gospel or Irresistible Revolution (8)
9.     Coming Back Stronger (9)

10.   Multi-Cultural Teams

11. Scandalous

( overall in parantheses)

4. 11 guys to invest time with

1.     Corey

2.     Brack

3.     Kevin

4.     Dario

5.     B

6.     Sean

7.     Ken

8.     Marc

9.     Jason

10. Mark

11. Ben

5. 11 things to do with Soo

1.     read parenting book

2.     read marriage/relationship book

3.     read Bible together/devotional

4.     pray together every day

5.     Go on a date every week

6.     Visit some place new together

7.     Pray for nations together at least once/week

8.     Go on a couple of double dates

9.     Cook together for other people

10. Take her shopping

11. Baby-sit

6. 11 things to do daily

1.     morning prayer of submission

2.     journal

3.     read Bible

4.     stretch

5.     pray for some ministry/nation/friend

6.     something fun or read or pray w/ soo

7.     interact with someone besides Soo

8.     some sort of ministry(except on Sabbath)

9.     memorize a verse

10. give thanks and/or sing praise song

11. read and/or write

7. 11 long-term goals/bucket list

1.     Write a book

2.     Write/Collect 365 devotionals

3.     Outline or write summary for every book of the Bible

4.     Go to Israel

5.     Go to Rome

6.     Go to Egypt

7.     Go to the Grand Canyon

8.     Go to Yosemite Nat Park

9.     Start a trend – or maybe get a retweet

10. Run a half-marathon… maybe marathon

11. See a toilet go the opposite direction (S. Hemisphere)

8. 11 things I’m looking forward to in 2011

1.     Our 1 year wedding anniversary

2.     Halle’s 1^st birthday

3.     Enjoying a Sabbatical: reading a bunch and writing a bunch

4.     Seeing our puppy again

5.     Showing my parents East Asia

6.     Taking a trip to Texas?

7.     Taking Soo shopping/doing something that just amazes her

8.     Halle sleeping thru the night Actually, I sleep thru the night

9.     Halle’s crawling…walking

10. Purdue winning the NCAA championship

11. Speaking at campuses

   

9. 11 things to do before heading back to E Asia

1.     spend time with my friends who live 1-2 hours away

2.     call my friends who live in the same time zone or close to it

3.     call my friends in Asia at least once

4.     go to a book store and read for chunks at a time

5.     buy stuff to take back

6.     eat skyline chilli, potbellys, TGiFridays,

7.     contact all supporters on phone or in person

8.     sit down with a Pastor/mentor

9.     share the Gospel

10. go to Purdue – a men’s basketball game & eat @xXx

11. get wings at BW3’s & watch some football

10. 11 movies I want to see

1.     HP7

2.     127 hours

3.     Dawn Treader

4.     The Fighter

5.     The Tourist

6.     Thor (May)

7.     Captain America (July)

8.     Terminator : Salvation (Dvd)

9.     Mummy 3 (Dvd)

10. Amelia (Dvd)

11. Shutter Island (DVD)

11. 11 things to eat before I leave America

1.     skyline chilli

2.     potbellys

3.     Greek food: Greek Salad

4.     Peruvian

5.     Baker’s Square

6.     Bleu cheese burgers

7.     Buffalo Wild Wings – while watching a game

8.     Gino’s East pizza

9.     TGiFridays

10. Souplantation

11. In N Out