Archive for the ‘metaphors’ Category

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See-Thru Shirts


2010
09.01

Posted in life, metaphors | No Comments »

In REPLY to the LAST POST:

I found this picture in Psychology magazine at Barnes and Noble one day.  It was taken by a girl who struggled with an eating disorder during the teen years of her life.  Now she embarks on visual metaphors via photography to let others now of her plight.

I found this picture stunning because of the gradual shrinking that is depicted.  It captures the idea of never being satisfied with our body image.  It’s impossible to hold a magazine shape all your life (or ever with all the airbrushing and photo-shopping that occurs), but it’s a powerful place to be where you can be content with your our figure.

The phrase comfortable in your own skin comes to mind.  I don’t know if I’ve been there much, at least a complete comfort.  Some of it has to do with my abuse of food and struggle not to be emotionally addicted to food (for comfort or whatever).

The struggle often rages in me, but the beauty is that God affirms my heart.  That He is more satisfying than food.  That He is more a comfort than calories.  And resting in him means I don’t have to wrestle with the bigger me (ha ha).

I am, more and more each day, becoming a disciplined man physically.  However that takes shape, I need to be content.

~ Shawn

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NEXT… now type away!


2010
07.28

Posted in life, metaphors, spiritual formation | 2 Comments »

Here is the next picture.

Directions {PICTIO DIVINIA}:

1. Look at the picture. What sticks out to you in the picture and why?

2. How does the picture make you feel, make you desire, or even wish?

3. What scripture or spiritual truth does this picture remind you of?

Type up a great masterpiece in the comment area.  I’ll post my comments before the next picture goes up.

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PICTIO DIVINA EXPERIMENT!


2010
07.17

Posted in life, metaphors, spiritual formation | 5 Comments »

I’d love to try a social image experiment.  Over the next few weeks, I will post a picture that is interesting on multiple levels to me.  My hope would be that you’d take a moment and follow the steps below, then post a comment or two.  It’s easy… fun… and as quick as you’d like it to be.

Here is the first of many pictures that spur conversation and curiosity in me.

  1. Look at the picture.  What sticks out to you in the picture and why?
  2. How does the picture make you feel, make you desire, or even wish?
  3. What scripture or spiritual truth does this picture remind you of?

Now comment away… can’t wait to hear what you get.  I’ll post my comments before the next picture goes up.

{HINT:  Are you drawn to the size, colors, void, people, lighting, activities in pic?}

{HINT:  click the photo for larger view}

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Being & Accomplishment


2010
04.23

Posted in life, metaphors | No Comments »

I was thinking the other day about the spiritual discipline of celebration. It’s not often that we think of this topic as a spiritual discipline.  But it actually makes sense.  We should take time to celebrate all that God gives us… all that we have been blessed to experience because of His grace.  We shouldn’t have to earn a moment of celebration based on our religious duties.  We just celebrate being.

These discipline thoughts come from much of Richard Foster’s work in The Celebration of Discipline.

To me, it’s much like the difference between a birthday cake and a trophy.  Trophies are the rewards of accomplishment and achievement.  Birthday cakes are given just because you exist.  Your being is celebrated… the grace of being alive verses a celebration of somehow working your way out of the womb.

The same is relevant in the areas of faith as well.  We celebrate because we are alive in Christ more than just because we’ve accomplished much in His Name.

Got a reason to celebrate today?  I think so!

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Want to be a Shepherd?


2010
03.30

Posted in metaphors, ministry, spiritual formation | 3 Comments »

I was teaching at our MENS ministry this morning from I Peter 5.  The themes of this passage are about: the elder, the younger, and a strong warning to all men.  The whole time was such a blessing to me.  I am continually struck by the powerful opportunity and privilege contained in the role of shepherding the flock of God, the church.

No one I’ve ever known has ever aspired to the role of shepherd.  I mean can you imagine a kid saying, “When I grow up, I want to be a Shepherd.” True shepherds nurture, care, train, feed, mend, discipline, corral, herd, protect, and seek out the missing sheep.

And interestingly enough, that’s what we do as shepherds and elders of the flock of God.  We have the great privilege to work with, care for, and invest in people that God Himself invested everything.  God has given his church life, salvation, and a calling.  Therefore, we, as elders and leaders in the faith, get to equip and empower the sheep while caring and comforting for the hurting in the flock.

And yet, along with the great joy comes great concern.  I Peter 5:8 has a lot to say about the enemy of the flock; wishing ill on the shepherds that he might forever harm the sheep.  It’s important for leaders of the church to be self-controlled and alert to the schemes of the devil that he might not gain a foothold in the flock (or even worse, a few victories).

A powerful question to wrestle with this morning was, “Who am I shepherding?  aka: Who am I investing in right now?” Notice I didn’t ask “What ministry are you serving in?” or “What task are you performing at church?” The role of a shepherd is to care for people and their souls (even through the activities and programs that make the church calendar).  These are the questions of the Great Commission and is worthy of a thoughtful answer!

So… want to be a shepherd?

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LOST for sure…


2010
03.24

Posted in metaphors, movies & media | 1 Comment »

Ok, so last night I’m watching LOST and the writers half-way lead you to believe that the Island is hell and the man in the black shirt happens to be Diablo. And adversely, the infamous Jacob character appears to be a guardian of the island; keeping Diablo on the island and/or protecting/influencing the people who show up there!

So the quotes about the time on the island being “*$&%”-ish might not be too far off.  And all the backwards jokes about returning to the island– “*$&% NO!”– are sure funnier now.  Grimace and chuckle, it’s okay.

Well, if this theory turns out to be true (and it’s not just a metaphor for the dualistic tensions of good and evil), then the last five seasons have been purgatory (ours and theirs).  That would be a wild twist!  That only the good of heart or noble in character during this purgatorial period will escape.  Now that could be a conversational piece for all believers tracking the show.

I’m not sure what I think about that, but I could have tons of philosophical fun over coffee (if your buying)…

What are your theories/thoughts?

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DAY 8: Goal 1, check!


2009
04.27

Posted in books, cycling, humor, life, metaphors, weight | No Comments »

4/27/09:  218 lbs.  !!

Well, week one down and my goal was reached; 5 lbs. !!

This next week might prove to be a bit harder.  Mostly because I’m going to be out of town and out of my regular routine.  But to add to the mix, I’ll be at a location that only serves what they call ‘vegetarian fair’.  I know (if you are like me at all, that doesn’t even sound fair) it’s mostly veges, pastas, beans, and gluten (ugh!), but I definitely think it’s all loaded with salt.  Either way…

I had a great workout this morning at 5 AM spin!  Who said there weren’t hills in Modesto (there were this morning)!  I hope to be able to pack up my bike to take with me and get a few rides in this week.  We’ll see.  It’s a beautiful place to ride; 4500 ft. with rolling hills and nice scenery!  Think of it like a wide open Knights Ferry with no river.

After tomorrow I won’t be able to weigh in until Saturday.  So come back then check out the progress.  This week’s weight loss goal is only 3 pounds.  Supposedly that’s the average loss per week for an average person anyway.  That means that my shiny new number is 215!  I’m going to get it!

The journey continues…

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DAY 2


2009
04.21

Posted in cycling, humor, life, metaphors, weight | No Comments »

The Fat Cyclist

4/21/09:  221 lbs.  I’m trying to be cautiously hopeful because of these science facts.

Science Show Narrator:  “Well children, now it’s time for interesting facts about the Stutz body.  An average Stutz can retain water and shed water in great quantities.”

The moral of the story is… less salt.  The journey countinues.

* a link to the mentioned inspiration idea. The Fat Cyclist Website

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txt me


2009
02.19

Posted in metaphors, spiritual formation | No Comments »

I watched a girl text in the bookstore today.

(…which was somewhat ironic since she didn’t have a book at all. I guess she was reading the book of the new millennium; ever changing and developing cyber-biographies. Cyber-biographies are the hot genre these days. Okay, actually they aren’t, but maybe they should be. A friend of mine is writing a faux-biography. I think that’s enough parenthetical thought. {don’t you?} Anyway…)

She was obviously enjoying the conversation. The corners of her mouth rose and fell; smiling wryly at someone not at all in the building. It’s powerful how conversation creates intimacy within a relationship even without proximity.

We live in a whole new world that way. I often wonder what negative impacts texting, IM-ing, and chatting will have on true social connections in our society. Will our truly human network skills become antiques compared to our ability to speedily ‘emoticon’ a person?

And yet, in the midst of my curiosity, I remembered the ultimate uniqueness of a life of prayer. There is no conversation we have that even compares to the divine wonder of prayer. Prayer is a conversation influenced not only by God’s proximity but also His (in)visibility. Many who struggle to pray with confidence tend to excel at texting. May I always approach the throne of grace with confidence! May I remember that He always longs to speak to us, He’s always near, and He’s ever-listening!

c ya later… got a txt, lol! J

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Vintage Grapes & Words


2008
04.25

Posted in metaphors | No Comments »

wine barrelsWell Michelle and I had a great time on last week’s trip to Petaluma and Healdsburg. Our first stop was the Mauritson Family Winery. It was so insightful to learn about the process of wine making and learn about all the wine lingo (which I was somewhat clueless on).

The assistant to the wine-maker took us through every step in the process, including the barrel room. I was surprised to learn that a large portion of their 2000 barrels were imported from a French Cooper (a barrel maker) who bought the wood through government auction. Not only is the farming, harvest, and fermentation key, but so is the type of wood in which the wine ages within for two years.

The lady who showed us around was so passionate about her job and I could sense her satisfaction in knowing that she created a product from start to finish that she could be proud of. Her work on the 2007 Chardonnay would be soon bottled and shipped around the country. I found myself a bit envious. In my line of work, fruit is key, but the time it takes to age is different for every individual. But a greater joy is knowing that disciples age well into eternity.

I also learned that wine making if a lot of work (and our Lord morphed quite a bit of water in seconds; John week 3). Oddly enough, I was actually invited to come help with the harvest in the fall (which I just might do!). And yet, what joy I had in reflecting on the fact that I’m always in the midst of a greater, more noble harvest…

The night was capped off with a nice fish and chips dinner in the quaint downtown Healdsburg and the David Wilcox concert. Let me tell you… if grapes at a winery go vintage in a barrel, then words go vintage in a song with Wilcox. This guy is a true artist! Very few people can craft words and stories into metaphors so touching to the human soul. The guy who opened for him showed the shallow tide-pools of the heart but David took the audience deep (unbelievable story about that… ask me sometime!). It was as if he was asking the Lord what song to play next; feeding off of the secret soul cravings of the crowd. This night will not go forgotten for a long time. I left truly inspired and alive!

But the highest honor the whole weekend was the company of my wife. I am so blessed in knowing her, loving her, and being loved by her. I can’t tell you much I cherished our time together; laughing, driving (with the petroleum people), talking, and most definitely sleeping in late. There will be many moments to come, but this one will assuredly remain in the top ten!

Take a listen to these Wilcox wonders (You’ll surely love them!): Farthest Shore, Show the Way, Language of the Heart, Leave it Like it Is, East Asheville Hardware, That’s What the Lonely is For, Three Brothers, This Old Car, Make it Look Easy, Break in the Cup, Start With the Ending,

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