MikeZook.com

How Do You See It?

Which way is she spinning?

I saw this post on Emerging Pensees and thought it was fun. It is from an article here that indicates; if you see her spinning clockwise then you use more of the right side of your brain and vice versa.

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS: uses logic, detail oriented, facts rule, words and language, present and past, math and science, can comprehend, knowing, acknowledges, order/pattern perception, knows object name, reality based, forms strategies, practical, safe

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS: uses feeling , big picture" oriented, imagination rules, symbols and images, present and future, philosophy & religion, can "get it" (i.e. meaning), believes, appreciates, spatial perception, knows object function, fantasy based, presents possibilities, impetuous, risk taking

Anybody want to guess which way I see her spinning?

Active Obedience

In the last week I have felt that my spirit has been somewhat at peace with things. This is a good thing considering all that I have been wrestling with lately. A major part of this peace I believe is coming through active obedience. You know, listening to God's voice and obeying.

I am reading through the gospels right now and it is amazing to read about Jesus' life here on earth and the ministry that he had. One of the main things that are coming out of my reading right now is how obedient Jesus was to his Father.  Like any human child, I am disobedient to my Father, sometimes consistently disobedient. It's not always the big things either. It's the little things in life that can eventually build up. So Like Jesus modeled, I am learning to be actively obedient in the moment (just as I expect from my children) and not ignore the voice of my Father that has taught me or is guiding me to do the right thing.

I came across a list of questions this weekend, as I was cleaning out my basement, which I haven't used in a while. This is a list of questions that I ask myself when I am alone in my thoughts, reading scripture, praying, listening to God. Maybe they can help you. You don't have to ask every question-every time by any means. I don't. Some questions are easy to answer, some are hard. Maybe ask them to the people who are closest to you and prepare yourself for their answers. It may sting a bit. Some of them only you can answer, be careful though, you can deceive yourself just as easily as you can deceive others. I think I'm going to start orientating myself with this list again in hopes of spurring on my active obedience.

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I'm better than I really am?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidently pass on to another; what I was told in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying or self-justifying?
7. Did the Bible live in me today?
8. Do I give God's word time to speak to me ever day?
9. Am I enjoying prayer?
10. When did I last talk to someone about my faith?
11. Do I pray about the money I spend?
12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
13. Do I consistently disobey God in anything?
14. Do I insist on doing something that my conscious is uneasy about?
15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Am I proud?
19. Is there anyone who I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I going to do about it?
20. Do I grumble or complain constantly?
21. Is Jesus Christ real to me?

The Pursuit of Happyness

Last night I watched the film "The Pursuit of Happyness" starring Wil Smith. This story is based off the true events that occurred in the main character, Chris Gardner's life. And while the film was well made and highlighted the character traits of self-determination, persistence, economic struggle, a fathers love to provide for his son, it clearly missed answering the obvious question that the title of the movie raises - What is Happyness? What is the pursuit? The only thing that the movie pointed to in answering this question was money, financial security and accomplishment of earthly wealth. In the end these things were accomplished (sorry if you haven't seen the movie) but there was no answer to the second obvious question that the title of the movie raises - Did it make Chris Gardner happy? Was the pursuit worth it?

If the answer that is found in the movie to the question of what is happyness and what is the pursuit is true and the answer is yes it did make him happy....then as a Christ follwer I am left feeling empty and that the whole message is a lie!

Did you see the movie?  What do you think the Pursuit of Happyness looks like?

Your Perspective??

Why do most people say,

"to walk with God, we need to walk against what the world says is important,"

instead of saying,

"to walk with the world, we need to walk against what God says is important?" 

Why is the emphasis on giving up the world instead of giving up God?  Thoughts anyone?