Matt's Muzings
To help you think, ponder and reflect on the human side of leadership
June 2008 Volume 10, Issue 87
In the first couple of chapters of Genesis, God tells us He created the world.
A few of its features include:
30 billion trillion stars
350 billion galaxies
The sun, earth, moon and planets in our solar system
250,000 species of flowering plants
10,000 species of ferns
550 species of conifers (pines, spruces and firs)
40,000 species of vertebrates which make up only 2% of animal species
And oh so very much more!
A friend of mine and I were sitting and talking the other day, he was telling me
about his own revelation and it became mine.
Here was the revelation - after God created the world He gave us His evaluation
of it. It was 'GOOD'.
God said it was GOOD.
To be honest, it seems a little pathetic to call something good these days. Like
it is lacking something. But wait a moment, why is that?
Let me take a step back and see how I use words to evaluate things.
When I am speaking and I want to make a point about something, I use strong words
to emphasize what I want, so that I am heard. It may be an exaggeration, but that
is how things get heard.
It seems to me, some of what I say is or can be hype.
If left to myself, I use words that are bloated, lazy, ill chosen, soggy and often
out of place.
I am aware, that at times, my communication is often rooted in my own insecurity,
or weakness and has a hidden agenda that twists and distorts much of what comes
out of my mouth.
As I go through my day, I often will hear words like, 'awesome', 'wonderful', 'powerful',
'remarkable', 'amazing', 'incredible', 'astounding and 'great' everyday.
Humanity keeps turning up the volume while saying less and less.
It seems my misunderstanding of God is not His fault but mine. Humanity keeps turning
up the volume while saying less and less.
I use words in a frantic sense to pitch something.
I quickly lose respect for words, getting my point across or "my own way" is the
focus of the moment. I am tempted to use words to get more, and for it to be bigger,
better and faster of what I want to emphasize.
Now the only problem is, I and maybe you, have few words left to describe things
that are truly good.
Love, joy, peace or faithfulness have little meaning left. Our language has been
abused to the extent that we no longer are moved by words.
We are almost bankrupt because we have spent our precious words on things that have
little true value.
All of a sudden when it says that God is good , it takes on a whole new meaning.
Think of what the words in this scripture mean in the reality of who God is.
Ex. 15:11 "Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in
holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?
May God richly bless you,
Matt & Celia
FAMILY MATTERS:
MATT: Life is busy with 'stuff', but at a heart level, we sure could use your prayers
for wisdom and a break through.
CELIA: Switzerland was cool and rainy but everything was green and change of pace
from warm Singapore. My niece just had her first baby...and that is VERY GOOD!
(God's view of humanity) Welcome Katelyn Circle. My parents just celebrated their
59th wedding anniversary...Congratulations Mom and Dad! I have so much to be thankful
and grateful for. Family, friends and a God who hears!
JOSHUA: The truck is fixed and Josh is busy with a few building projects. He is
enjoying the warmer Oregon weather....when it cooperates, that is.