I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (ISV)
My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. (NLT)
- Jesus, John 10:10b
A couple great quotes from Wild at Heart, by John Eldredge:
The place where God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.
- Frederick Buechner
Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that; because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
- Gil Bailie
My mind went this subject this past week because of this TedTalk on finding happiness in this ecstatic state of "flow". Interesting that the root of ecstasy means to stand beside. In fact when one is in an instense state of ecstasy the brain does not have enough processing capacity (only about 100 bits per second) to handle self awareness; you lose conciousness of the fact that you are tired, or hungry, problems at home, etc. And this is the state when one is immersed in creativity - when both your challenges and your skills are higher than your everyday average in both those areas (a unique set point for each person).
How does it feel to be in "flow" - 7 characteristics
1. Completely involved in what we are doing - focused, concentrated.
2. A sense of ecstasy - of being outside everyday reality.
3. Great inner clarity - knowing what needs to be done, and how well we are doing.
4. Knowing that the activity is doable - that our skills are adequate to the task.
5. A sense of serenity - no worries about oneself, and a feeling of growing beyond the boundaries of the ego.
6. Timelessness - thoroughly focused on the present, hours seem to pass by in minutes.
7. Instrinsic motivation - whatever produces flow become its own reward.
Some great quotes by CEO's on the subject of happiness and work:
I've always wanted to be successful. My definition of being successful is contributing something to the world...and being happy while doing it.... You have to enjoy what you are doing. You won't be very good if you don't. And secondly, you have to feel that you are contributing something worthwhile...if either of these ingredients are absent, there's probably some lack of meaning in your work.
- Norman Augustine, former CEO of Lockheed Martin
Look for your passion. what make syou excited? What turns you on?...Go towards companies that you really like, really admire...What do you admire about them? Spend, if you can, an internship there, or just knock on the door and say: 'Hey, can I work here for cheap?'...Find organizations that move your spirit if you can. Work along side them... And have fun. There's so much fun to be had...When you spend 95% of your life in a work environment, it can't be dour.
- Anita Roddick
The first "Purposes of Incorporation" of Sony:
To establish a place of work where engineers can feel the joy of technological innovation, be aware of their mission to society, and work to their heart's content.
- Masaru Ibuka
Monday, November 10, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
An old letter to Bud on Lewis
I just found this old letter to my dad, Pastor Bud Sparling. I wrote this from Lakewood, WA. I don't recall the response or any further discussion.
--------------------------------
Dad-
Part II of your Christmas 2004 present – something I believe you always enjoy: intelligent (?) conversation with your son….
The attached article was the cover story in the current Christian Research Journal – I naturally thought of you when I saw it! Reading it, I was struck realizing just how deeply Lewis’s ideas have influenced my own. He is an author whom I which to read so much more of, that I easily forget how much of him I’ve previously absorbed.
I look forward to your comments on the article; mine are below.
(Perhaps you should wait on reading these until after you’ve read the article.)
p.3 Challenges of the Common Hall. Mueller’s insight that many Christians today are “reluctant to make any commitment to a confession or a congregation” provides insight into the rise of the “mega,” and I would argue mega-shallow, churches. There’s a church up here that has an entire health club in it; I’m certain this not what Lewis had in mind in his metaphor of “fires and chairs and meals.” I think he was speaking more of Christ’s “food” that we know nothing about. Still these churches, like Lewis’ writings, are drawing the masses in – so finding the balance between evangelism and discipleship continues.
Perhaps Lewis’s metaphor of the Common Hall could have utility in your EPC pastor’s discussions toward making your denomination “relevant”.
My singular reaction concerning all three of Mueller’s main criticisms of Lewis is that Mueller sees the world from the deep center of the evangelical tradition while Lewis does not. In this regard Mueller’s approach typifies Richard Foster’s fourth Potential Peril of the evangelical tradition: “the tendency toward bibliolatry.” I think Lewis’ acceptance of the ineffable character of God and his embrace of the mysteries of the faith are parts of what make his writing so attractive and ultimately so strong. His general tone is one of suggestion, not discovered fact.
Consequently Mueller can hardly objectively ask if scripture is inerrant – his mind is not only made up, scriptural reference is the ONLY basis he makes an argumentative appeal to! Obviously this is a faith issue, a fundamental assumption and Mueller’s arguments would all be stronger if he would state this assumption up front.
p.4 Is Scripture Inerrant? Mueller says that Lewis “added a layer of subjectivity” to his understanding of scripture. I would ask how would he suggest is it possible for any reader to do otherwise? That’s what readers do – interpret the scribbles on a page given their own unique set of experiences and education. He clearly has done so himself with his interpretation of “today” from Luke 23:43. (p.5) Lewis clearly explained his views on the nature of time elsewhere in M.C.; Mueller must embrace the totality of Lewis’ world view when analyzing it.
Well…that’s about it for now. Kids are calling, “Come play Dad!” I must to them,
--------------------------------
Dad-
Part II of your Christmas 2004 present – something I believe you always enjoy: intelligent (?) conversation with your son….
The attached article was the cover story in the current Christian Research Journal – I naturally thought of you when I saw it! Reading it, I was struck realizing just how deeply Lewis’s ideas have influenced my own. He is an author whom I which to read so much more of, that I easily forget how much of him I’ve previously absorbed.
I look forward to your comments on the article; mine are below.
(Perhaps you should wait on reading these until after you’ve read the article.)
p.3 Challenges of the Common Hall. Mueller’s insight that many Christians today are “reluctant to make any commitment to a confession or a congregation” provides insight into the rise of the “mega,” and I would argue mega-shallow, churches. There’s a church up here that has an entire health club in it; I’m certain this not what Lewis had in mind in his metaphor of “fires and chairs and meals.” I think he was speaking more of Christ’s “food” that we know nothing about. Still these churches, like Lewis’ writings, are drawing the masses in – so finding the balance between evangelism and discipleship continues.
Perhaps Lewis’s metaphor of the Common Hall could have utility in your EPC pastor’s discussions toward making your denomination “relevant”.
My singular reaction concerning all three of Mueller’s main criticisms of Lewis is that Mueller sees the world from the deep center of the evangelical tradition while Lewis does not. In this regard Mueller’s approach typifies Richard Foster’s fourth Potential Peril of the evangelical tradition: “the tendency toward bibliolatry.” I think Lewis’ acceptance of the ineffable character of God and his embrace of the mysteries of the faith are parts of what make his writing so attractive and ultimately so strong. His general tone is one of suggestion, not discovered fact.
Consequently Mueller can hardly objectively ask if scripture is inerrant – his mind is not only made up, scriptural reference is the ONLY basis he makes an argumentative appeal to! Obviously this is a faith issue, a fundamental assumption and Mueller’s arguments would all be stronger if he would state this assumption up front.
p.4 Is Scripture Inerrant? Mueller says that Lewis “added a layer of subjectivity” to his understanding of scripture. I would ask how would he suggest is it possible for any reader to do otherwise? That’s what readers do – interpret the scribbles on a page given their own unique set of experiences and education. He clearly has done so himself with his interpretation of “today” from Luke 23:43. (p.5) Lewis clearly explained his views on the nature of time elsewhere in M.C.; Mueller must embrace the totality of Lewis’ world view when analyzing it.
Well…that’s about it for now. Kids are calling, “Come play Dad!” I must to them,
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