Post Resumption

I'll resume posting around the first of May. Please join me.

This Is Only A Test ...

I have not posted a blog since April 6. That's over 75 days ago!

A lot has gone on in my life in the last few months, including a move to a new house (downsizing, divesting, whatever you call it these days), and I was SHOCKED to check my stat counter for my blogsite and see that people (who the heck are you?!?!) are still clicking on. Shocked is not too strong a word. I was going to sort of bow out of the whole process and leave blogging to others, but now I'm beginning to have second thoughts. Hmmm..... What to do?

Okay, here's the deal. I never tired of blogging, but it was (and still is) hard to know if people are reading and whether, quite honestly, it's worth my time. Being a preaching pastor I have numerous opportunities to wax eloquently (in my dreams!) so another forum is not always needed. Nevertheless, blogging opens up a whole new audience, with which I am intrigued.

Please help me. I would love some feedback. Be as anonymous as you desire. Reply here or e-mail at www.pastorjoemarek@aol.com

If I hear from only five of you (more would be better) by next Friday (June 30), I'll re-commit to starting another batch of blogs. If you really want to help, please mention desired topics and frequency of posts. I will cherish all replies.

Operators are standing by ... (sort of, if you know what I mean)

Aspire

Several words derive from the Latin word spirare, meaning "to breathe." One of these words is "aspire," whose primary meaning is "to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal."
(Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary) Synonyms are "ascend" and "soar."

The dictionary provides a sample usuage -- aspired to a career in medicine.

I seldom hear this word used. How about you? It's not a difficult word to understand. Hospitals have aspirators. Linguists and vocalists are aware of aspirations. Lungs need to be aspirated and such aspirations can be good or bad. However, to "aspire" is something else.

There is something transcendent, perhaps sacred, about the act of aspiring. To aspire is to desire to go beyond the ordinary. The norm is not good enough. What is acceptable for the masses causes the aspirant to fidget and want more. Those who aspire draw energy from the challenge to do something special. The regular is too routine. The exception(al) is the lure.

Spiritually, I believe God breathes upon and into us the desire to aspire. There will be clear deterrents to those who wish to aspire. Why? Because there is a morose seduction from those who desire to not rock the boat. To aspire will inevitably disturb the status quo who prefer predictability and patterns over territory not yet traversed. To aspire is to threaten. Yet, if one believes in the premise that those who aspire are breathing in the Spirit of God then one should discard anxiety produced by naysayers and shoot for the stars. To do otherwise would be to opt for complacency, rather then heeding the call from God to seek and soar. The goal is not comfort, but discernment of direction. Aspire.

Do What It Takes

Admit it. Every one of us has a dream. That dream is not extracurricular, but essential to who we are. Each one of us has a story as to how the dream became a part of who we are. Cherish that conception. Consider it a gift from God. A gift not to be wasted, but cultivated and deserving of the utmost dedication. Do not let a negative world suppress your joy at striving to achieve your dream. You're worth it and so is the dream.

The next few posts will briefly explore words derivative of the Latin word spirare, meaning, literally, "to breathe." Please consider checking in daily this week to reflect on how God is breathing upon you the gift of dreams, the gift of purpose, indeed, the gift of life. Deep, cleansing breaths!

Blog Posts resume 4/1

Personal Note: Sorry for the recent barren site. Posts will resume Saturday, April 1. No kidding.

Hope

One of the great gifts we can offer to others is hope. It seems eventually (and often regularly) everyone hits that rough spot and no matter how the predicament will be resolved, a gift of hope can do wonders. Reflect today on the friends in your life who are struggling. Lay aside any need to solve the problem and simply contact your friend and say "I'm here for you." Free up some time to be available for conversation. Better yet, don't wait to hear back. Instead, be the initiator and agree to meet at set time and place. Avoid offering hope via e-mail or telephone call, unless that is the only option. There is no better alternative than being with each other in person. Offer the gift of hope. It will make a difference.

It's Party Time!

Mardi Gras is built (to varying degrees) on the principle of doing certain things (risque things!) and allowing oneself to engage in acts of debauchery (!) as permissive participatory personal privileges to prepare for Lent. Hmmm.... Whatever.

An alternative to hedonistic (not to mention unhealthy) behavior as a precursor to the Lenten season of penance is to decide, instead, to discipline oneself in a constructive manner, rather than a destructive one. Be willing to expose oneself to the roving camera in a state of spiritual sobreity over against being victimized by the hidden cameras intent to humiliate when foolishly caught in an embarassed stuperous moment. Perhaps a "Spirituality Gone Wild" video! Raise the veil of hyprocrisy for all to see. Call it confessional conversation with a conscience or within a caring community. Get it out of your system, sleep it off and move on.

The regrettable next morning is totally avoidable by the decisions made the night before. If it doesn't look good in the morning, it was not good the night before. If you don't want to look that way in the light of day, shun the activity in the shadows of night. Steer clear of the avenues leading to the arenas of potential disaster and frequent frequently the bastions of behavior worth writing home about.

Life is too short in the grand scheme of things. Each day can be wasted or savored. One need not be driven by perfection and sloppy piety should always be shunned. Simply welcome each day as a gift to be cherished and utilized to the glory for which it was intended. What wisdom is there in acting happy at night when feeling crappy in the morning is the sure guarantee. One's choice of festivity reveals one's true priorities. Party hearty!