That Time Of Year!

Wow, I cannot believe it is that time of year again. You know back to school time! At my age, back to school means nothing to me. Until now! You are looking…..reading the words of, the newest junior at DBU. That’s right, I am a college student…again. Pretty amazing. I was in Wal-mart today with many other students looking for those much needed school supplies. I think most of the students who saw me in the folder isle thought that I was a parent picking up supplies for my elementary student. Little did they know that this middle-aged white guy was picking up supplies for himself. That’s right! Eat your heart out Rodney Dangerfield cus I’m going back to school! In two short years I will have a degree and than……I will take over the world! Serioulsy though…I am going back to school. My wife and I are moving back to Dallas,Tx. It has been a temultuous 8 months of our lives. Through it all we are learning a lot about God, ourselves, each other, and those around us. I wish that things would have turned out much different  than they have, but hey, what doesn’t kill ya makes you stronger….right? I will let ya’ll know! I’m going to the big “D” baby! Igniting Change….

The Conversation……

You know this whole experience has caused me to do a lil thinkin…..those of you that know me know that this is not something that happens on a regular basis so pay close attention. I do not plan on, nor can I promise that I will ever think again.

I was reading my wife’s website, chellewatts.com, and I realize that she is an amazing teacher. I also have realized why I began blogging. It began as a fun way to communicate, and it has evolved into a very great way to converse with people.

There is a difference between talking and conversing. Talking involves two people telling each other their side of the story. This is the form of communication that most of us take part in regularly. It is good, it is familiar, but the reason we run to this form of communicating is because it is comfortable. There is nothing wrong with comfortable, but it is not always productive.

The other form of communication is Conversation. This form of communication involves two people sharing ideas and listening to what the other person is saying. The goal is not to convince the other as to whether what they blieve is “right” or “wrong.” The goal is to be able to communicate with honesty and openess, despite what God says, the Bible says, or what man says. Conversation is not about your dogma, your standards, or your values being heard. Conversation is about raw, open dialouge between two people who can be vunerable enough to say “I don’t know how I feel about that, but I will give that some thought.”

 Now this is the point where talking can ruin a conversation. This is the point where the talker will no longer be comfortable and rather than say, “There could be something to this,” they say that this is what I believe, end of story. Let’s be real honest right now. Everyone of us has been a talker in the middle of a conversation. I have done it, and depending on the conversation, I may do it again.

The great thing about conversations is that you can discuss, probe, and pull apart things about life, God, family, politics, love, etc…You can ask scary questions, you can talk about your beliefs, and you can even say things that you don’t believe just to see how it feels. A conversation is a lot like trying on clothing. You take several articles into the changing room and try them on. You don’t change in public. You change in a place that you can be vunerable and protected. Once you decide this is an article you like you pay for it and take it home and go public with it. Conversations are the same way. You take a couple of ideas to the coffee house with your friends. You talk about them, try them on, see how they fit, and if you are comfortable with them, you take them home and go public with them.

Many people today are searching for someone to converse with them about life, love, and God. Jesus loved conversations. He did not try to convince the world that He was God. He was God. The pharisees tried to share their side of the story. Jesus involved himself in conversation with people. The pharisees responded out of comfort. Jesus responded out of love. The pharisees brought condemnation. Jesus brought redemption. The pharisees plotted Jesus’ death. Jesus brought eternal life.

So the next time you are engaged in communication with someone, remember we are all part of a bigger conversation than we may realize. The conversation can be great….it can be….Will you allow yourself to get a little bit uncomfortable and embrace the discomfort with an idea? Will you allow yourself to question the idea, no matter how much it goes against your theology? Not that you have to change, although in the end you could!

Enjoing The Journey….

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