Stirred, not shaken

I prefer to be stirred and not shaken.

I have realized over the years that when I am shaken (either by an event, an objectionable conversation, a sudden burst of energy from children or simply an impromptu or unplanned lunch or walk around the neighborhood) I react with a sense of anxiety which leads to any number of things depending on what caused the shake.

If the shake was caused by a sudden outburst from children, (Large scale screaming or hollering) I might suddenly find the need to immediately vacate the area. If the shake comes from an objectionable conversation, I will probably say something I will regret saying. The shake sometimes is the simple act of my wife asking me to take a walk around the neighborhood or some friends at work inviting me to lunch right before they leave to go. I respond to both of these with the same response....'Can we plan on doing this tomorrow?'

I have always been this way and it's really hard to change being a planner. In 2006 I am seriously going to try be a little more spontaneous and maybe not freak out as bad when all the kids go up 20 octaves at the same time.

My other goal for 2006 is to be more godly. I have really fallen short with this over the last year and the Holy Spirit has been working on me about it. I came across a neat interpretation of Psalm 1 from http://chriswhitehead.blogspot.com. Chris is a Pastor at Charter Oak Church in Greensburg, PA.

Psalm 1

How well God must like you -
you don't hang out at Sin Saloon,
you don't slink along Dead-End Road,
you don't go to Smart-Mouth College.

Instead you thrill to God's Word,
you chew on Scripture day and night.
You're a tree replanted in Eden,
bearing fresh fruit every month,
never dropping a leaf,
always in blossom.

You're not at all like the wicked,
who are mere windblown dust -
Without defense in court,
unfit company for innocent people.

Chris goes on to say:

God charts the road you take.
The road they take is Skid Row.

Psalm 1 is the beginning of this collection of prayers and songs. This is the beginning of the New Year. This Psalm says there is a difference between beginning with God and not. It is the difference between life and death.

People say they want the true life offered in God's word. We will make resolutions this week and keep them at least through next week. But that's not the life that is offered here. The Psalmist goes back to Eden, where the relationship between God and people was perfect. The life that lived was a oneness, an intimacy with God.

I actually memorized that verse a couple years ago, but reading his interpretation was very eye opening to me. I was shaken by that verse. And that's a good thing.

Thanks Pastor Chris.