Living in two places

Sometimes I feel as though I live out of my car. Seriously. I looked in my car today and I found two jackets, a dress shirt, three tennis racquets, three cans of tennis balls, a picture frame, 6 pens, water bottle, two sets of headphones, three car phone chargers, four books, a bottle of multi-vitamins, and a variety of Food for the Hungry promotional materials.

One could point out that this scenario exists because I'm a messy and organized person. That is a point well taken. I see the validity in that point. However, I believe this is more to this situation. It is not like the car is dirty with French fries in the floorboard and a terrible odor. It is simply excess stuff being stored in the car.

The question is, how did this stuff get into the car and why?

Here is my theory: I love being mobile and anticipating needing items throughout the day. Being that I'm constantly on the go, I like to be ready for anything. In this desire to be ready, I end up looking like the overloaded solider headed into battle struggling to keep his balance because of his heavy pack.

Here is the daily morning routine: After getting showered and dressed, I begin thinking through all the items I'll need for that specific day. While the sun is still resting beyond the horizon, I gather my computer, two phones, bible, journal, work related documents, lunch (that I might eat) and any items related to my nightly activities and meetings (including additional clothes, sporting equipment, etc). Sometimes this will require two trips to the car.

Although this might seem like a hassle (and it is), I don't mind it. My life is continually on the go and being a mobile person requires significant prep. Phones, headset and computer batteries need to be fully charged. I may not feel cold when I leave the house, but I should bring a jacket in case the weather changes throughout the day. I don't like extra driving, so I strive to avoid additional trips home because of forgotten necessities.

The problem really comes at the end of the day. Obviously, since I brought these items out in the morning, it would be only natural to take them inside upon arriving home. Yeah, and that is where I have a mental battle. As I get home late and pull into my driveway, I think to myself, "hey, why take this stuff in . . . . you might need it tomorrow. If you take it in, you'll just be doing double work tomorrow morning by taking the same stuff out to the car". Plus, it's late and I don't want to waste any time. The argument sounds good and my mind considers the option and ahhhhhh, it eventually gives in to the deceptive logic!

Oh, how I am weak and the mess in my back seat grows even deeper.

It is a slippery slope and allows everything to remain in the car and it simply says there until I get motivated on a Saturday morning and I clean it all out.

And then the situation repeats itself starting on Monday.

Let's just say, you don't want to be going to lunch with Josh on Friday and have to sit in his back seat.

Josh
Phoenix, AZ

High truths and lessons from high school

When many people think back to their high school days, they wonder if they learned anything at all. And that's an honest and valid concern. In many ways, most high schools struggle to promote a rigorous academic program. However, that doesn't mean there aren't lessons to be learned.
If one is alert, one huge lesson to be learned in high school is related to the issue of acceptance. Between nerds, cheerleaders, jocks, skaters and every other click known to man, everyone in high school is trying to fit in, trying to be accepted..

It is a desire that everyone craves, even the people that play like they don't care. But it is a battle, to gain that acceptance. Some high school students end up doing whatever it takes to gain acceptance. Drugs, alcohol, sex, clothes, sports, academics and beyond are the means in which this acceptance is gained.

One must show others what they are made of in order to have the approval of others. This often forces people into making poor choices (drinking and driving, unhealthy relationships, cheating, steroids and anything else you can dream of).

We are all so desperate to be accepted that we'll do almost anything. The frustrating thing is that this acceptance doesn't even last. You have to continually prove yourself in order to be popular and accepted.

And actually, this desire to be accepted goes beyond high school. As you get into "regular" adult life, the same stuff is going on, it's just not as pronounced and dynamic.

Acceptance is reality, something we all want and need, that's what high school reveals to us. Unfortunately high school doesn't reveal to us how to satisfy this desire for acceptance.

So, exactly where do we learn this lesson? Not in gym class or advanced chemistry.

I suggest we turn to a more honorable source of information. Let's look at 1 Peter 2: 9-10:

"But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you – from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted".

Hmmmm, quite interesting. The average understanding of the gospel is that Christ came and died to save us from our sins. And that is true, but there is so much more. His love and forgiveness have brought you and me into the family.

We aren't just pitiful friends that are being put up with, but God has chosen us for priestly work. We have been brought into the family, as sons and daughters of God, heirs with Christ.

While we were good-for-nothing sinners, Christ gave His life for us.

He accepted us.

Don't read over this line to quickly. It is far too powerful.

I no longer have to worry about being accepted. I don't have to play any more games, do this or that, trying to prove I'm worth something.

The King of Majesty has accepted me us His son. Read this and try and grasp the magnitude of this statement

Yeah, wow. So I guess high school was good for something

Josh Kienzle
Phoenix, AZ