Saw a good half dozen huge deer with antlers about as large as I've seen. They were all standing around by the fence as I drove by this morning. That was special. I'm sure some hunters would salivate over that site (but maybe not, since don't most hunter's licenses allow for only one deer per season?). I'm okay with hunting, but I'd prefer to shoot animals with a camera. I'd love to go on a safari and catch some lions or other big animals on film.
This PDL study is getting active now. Wow. I understand both points in yesterday's comments. After walking with Jesus for the past 21 years, it takes a lot to get me excited and juiced about a new study. The ones that do it the most for me are the ones that are hidden slightly, like the types or pictures of Jesus and/or the New Testament church that can be found in the Old Testament. I'm hoping to start one soon about the different rooms and chambers and instruments in the Tabernacle of Moses and how they could possibly relate to the believer and his/her heart.
Anyway, my initial guess is that this book is fairly basic. Basic can be boring when, like me, you consider yourself an "expert." Now, of course, that kind of admission is an admission of pride. But let's be honest, it's easy to get caught up in pride and a "been there, done that" mentality. And it's also easy to neglect the simple things, like the daily reading of God's Word and prayer. When's the last time I had a good quiet time? (shhh, don't tell. It's been a while.) I see a problem with where I'm at. Getting back to basics with a book like PDL will be good for me. Like any discipline, it won't always be fun (thus the "boring" tag), but if I plow through it and apply the principles, then it'll be good for me. I can see this as a blueprint for life.
Today's chapter touched on "What is my purpose?" I feel very fortunate in that my main vocation is a vision I believe the Lord gave me (there's that "vision" word again... I'm not too thrilled with that word, as it gets abused a bit, but I think it's accurate). By the grace of God, I am able to work on a magazine that has lofty goals and is kingdom-based. I can look at my 8-5 activities as something that helps people, edifying them in their faith. That's a real privilege and something that I think definitely drives me. It was certainly like having a light turned on and a path set before me. I didn't "figure this out" or start this magazine until my senior year in college (the summer before that last year, to be exact), so on one hand I felt like I was getting into it a little late, but I also knew that many people went through college and many years into a career or two before they figure out what they want to do (and it could be said "are supposed to do") with their life. I am indeed thankful for this. While running a magazine that's faith-based has had its challenges and frustrations, it is fulfilling and a dream coming true all the time.
I laughed and was wowed by the mention in the book today of James Dobson's goal to be the school's tennis champion. He was so proud of when they put his trophy in their display case. (Reminds me of our high school display case. A motocross racer named Terry Decker has a trophy in their for some school motocross race -- how cool is that?) Well, Mr. Dobson received this trophy a few years later, as someone mailed it to him. Seems they found it in a school trashcan after they remodeled. Ha! Wow! Talk about perspective! Makes you think about what's really important.
I hope that my pursuit of the goal/vision/purpose of HM Magazine doesn't crowd out my calling to be a husband and father and friend. I would hope that people feel loved by me. While I feel like my job is "important," I hope that it never shoves aside someone else's feelings or puts them down in pursuit of what I'm doing. I see movies like Cheaper By The Dozen and see Coach Steve Martin (ha!) tell his kids, "Can we get to this later?" and other various blow-offs that really devastate the kids who just want a little time and attention to their situation. I hope I can learn and act from seeing such examples. Thank God for movies and stories. I always need to keep learning lessons and growing. While PDL may not be a miracle or monumental growth area for me, I think it will be life and life is measured in growth (among other things). I think of plants...
--#81 (never caught a pass or scored a touchdown)
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at February 25, 2004 08:35 AM