Sometimes you just need to get back on the bike and press on.
Category: Life & Learning
A return to civility
I wish my sons to be gentlemen. Siting in a chair, a warm fire glowing and two boys playing in matching pajamas gives is a moment you treasure it in your heart. I handed a treat to my youngest. He looked up with a bright smile and said: “Thank you, daddy.” I hope both my boys grow up to be themselves while also exhibiting grace, class and politeness.
Civility defined
Oxford American Dictionary defines civility as: formal politeness and courtesy in behavior and speech.
Nobility of the past
Too often we view the ignoble aspect of person, time or movement to discredit what was noble. Missing an ideal doesn’t lessen its nobility. Should the Wright brothers have not flown at Kitty Hawk when those before them failed? Discourse and conduct did have a higher air of civility in times past, though I’m sure the past wasn’t perfect.
Acting with grace
Civility develops a focus on others. I remember in high school this kind of conversation: The girl said “You opened that for me just because I’m a woman, didn’t you?” to which the man replied, “No, I opened it because I’m a gentleman.” Civility isn’t sexism one way or the other. It is the polite thing to do. Allowing someone to do something you can clearly do yourself isn’t a violation of equality. It is an act of graciousness and a demonstration of deference. Imagine holiday shopping with this attitude.
Civility speaks
Formality is a language. As society let go of formality it also let go of a language that prevents potential misunderstanding and clear acts of acknowledgment. Another loss is an understanding between public and private behavior. Manners, etiquette and politeness are a key aspects to equality. It is a language of interaction, understanding and wisdom. A return to formality would greatly benefit romance, political discourse, and everyday life. Formality can disagree without destroying a person. It can romance to a greater depth. The language of formality understands that we are not islands unto ourselves. We live among others.
Formal as stodgy, informal as rude
Both formal and informal behavior contain drawbacks. Formality can be oppressive. It need not negate self-expression. While Formality is often labeled stodgy and informality rude; can we move beyond that? Perhaps the one who speaks quietly is heard the loudest, and within formal discourse one’s self-expression is most appreciated. Put another way: in reestablishing formality, let us not lose the zest of life.
The bottom line:
I hope my boys grow up to be classy and civil while not losing their zest for life or animated personalities. In disagreement may they still be considered gracious, in opposition still known as noble. I hope my boys show charm both publicly and in private. I hope those close to my boys would see my them as treating everyone with respect. I hope they can be true to themselves in both civil and private discourse for in so doing they’ll demonstrate dignity and wisdom.
Life & Learning: 2010 Look back
Life & Learning category is about engaging in life, things I’ve read ,and topics that focus on humanity.
Most viewed Book Review:
https://twoznek.com/2010/04/05/book-review-think-orange-by-reggie-joiner/
Think Orange is the book that will and is defining Family Ministry for at least the next decade. Agree or disagree, every pastoral team should read this book. It’s helpful on many levels, not just family ministry.
Most Viewed: Topic:
https://twoznek.com/2010/12/23/a-christmas-story-written-by-friends/
While the last “real post” of 2010, this was a fun exercise with some friends via facebook. The story was written by people from all over the America’s: Brazil, Bolivia, Washington, Michigan, Ohio, New York.
My Favorite Series:
https://twoznek.com/2010/10/15/linx-stuff-dream-edition/
A few times during the year I did a series. This one was the most enjoyable as it deals with the Dream aspect of this site. Linx & Stuff is tidbits, articles, or things I want to pass on. After the Dream series, I used Linx & Stuff to post everything in one spot.
My Favorite Post:
https://twoznek.com/2010/06/29/millennials-hey-world-i-have-a-soul/
The title says it all. This post deals with I believe to be the driving question or statement by Milennials.
A Christmas Story Written By Friends
A long-long time ago on winter night, snow began to fall.
Through window cracks it fell and fell until it covered each wall.
Crisp, winter winds blew the snow into piles.
The swirling snow could be seen for miles.
Just when it looked like there was nowhere to run from this snow cloud in my house.
Behold I was scared for I nearly tripped on a mouse.
The poor little creature had come in from the cold
Along with his family ten thousandfold!
I stopped and I thought, “Do I take pity on them all?”
or do I throw them all out like little bouncing balls?
And so I grabbed their tails as they started to run,
and threw them out one by one.
Before they were all out the door in a row, one turned its head and said “why do humans hate we mice so?”
I chuckled and said “maybe because you’ve all eaten my cheese and cake and cookie dough.”
As the mice wandered off into the cold winter night,
I saw in the distance an unfamiliar light.
It’s glow was warm and it flickered and danced.
As the snow swirled around, I fell into its trance.
A man with a fiddle and a man with a bass, played Christmas music
at that yonder place.
The music that floated gently through the air, spoke of Christ’s wonder,
goodness and grace.
They sang a song of that blessed pair
No room in the inn, were left out in the night air.
The melody went on, it spoke of the fame
Of the prince who came to declare his Father’s name.
And who should appear but the mice I threw far from me.
Their voices sounding like a sweet symphony.
A lump grew in my throat as I looked down in the snow,
There is a lesson here that someone wants me to know.
So I took the scene in afresh and anew.
I paused to ponder like so few do.
“Mr. Mouse, you asked why humans hate you so.
It has something to do with snow.
For in a town, a long time ago,
was born our savior whom we must know.
He brings a future hope of all things new:
A lion with a lamb, and a man with such as you.”
And in this scene of wind, snow and music pleasant,
we remember the Savior as our greatest present.
And once more they lifted their music loud,
for a man named Jesus overcame sin’s shroud.
I said to the mouse “Our sin and hatred He will no longer know,
because of Jesus we can start fresh, white as snow.”
The end.
Merry Christmas & Thank you!
The Advent is the epitome of what this blog is about: Learn. Dream. Live.
Learn
The story of the Wise-men describes two groups of people. 1) Religious leaders who knew the answers but missed the point. 2) The Wise-men who sought answers and worshiped when they were found. It is better to learn than to know, to seek than to have sought. God rewards those who diligently seek Him.
Dream
The story of Jesus being presented at the temple fulfills the dream of a man who served God his entire life. The dream was larger than the one man, it was the dream starting back in Genesis 3. Dreams, visions, prophecies pointed to this event and the result that would occur after.
Live
The story itself is one of life. The author and sustainer of life added to Himself humanity. From conception forward, Jesus walked in our footsteps. He knew what it was like to want to eat ever 2.5 hours, to want a diaper changed now, to see tired parents barely awake or alive come into take care of him. He grew, learned to walk, be a kid, be a teenager, be man. Jesus lived in our shoes and benefited from the whole of human experience under the sun.
The bottom line:
Learning grasps the past. Dreaming sees the future. Living understands the moment. The story of Jesus taking on human form is the key to learning humility. His life purpose sets for all eternity the dream of all things becoming new. From birth to the resurrection, Jesus shows us how to live.
Thank you!
To all who read or follow this blog, thank you! I hope you are very blessed this Christmas. I greatly appreciate you encouragement and listening. We’ll be back next year!
God Bless!
~T Woznek
Christmas Wars: Humility strikes not
Christmas Wars started with Christmas. Seriously, it won’t go away. I’m often perplexed at the media and cultural storm that now boils up around this time of year. So, here are my two cents. Really, it’s one concept: Humility.
God could have, but didn’t…
Jesus came as a humble baby to a blue-collar family, and was laid down in a feeding trough. He could have descended from the clouds in a massive coronation ceremony. He could have burned the Earth and started over with a few chosen, like he did in times past with the flood. He didn’t. Jesus chose a humble entrance, not an in your face approach. Humble family, humble town, humbled form by taking on human flesh, humble birthing place.
X marks the spot…
Christ is central to Xmas. Christ in Greek is spelled “xristos.” X was used and developed by Christians (Xtrians?). Often times, as in the underground church, such usage of abbreviations are important. Even the symbol of the fish came as a result of initials. If anything, Xmas tells me that Xtrians need to get Xtreme with our humility. Also, it should remind us to pray for those who cannot publicly celebrate the miracle of the virgin birth.
Happy Holidays
Greet people in a way meaningful to you and others and true to yourself. That’s humility. If you have a friend who is Jewish, greet appropriately. If you don’t know, be true to yourself. Humility and respect cannot be achieved by Happy Holidays, or demanding one say Merry Christmas. It can only be achieved by showing respect and deference to others or a respectful celebration to one’s beliefs. Saying Merry Christmas only works if you’re passionate about the humility it stands for and express it as such. Attitude counts.
The bottom line:
Christmas is a statement of humility, service and giving. If that is our focus, there can be no removal of Christ from Christmas. In fact, there is more nobility and appreciation for it. God chose humility and mercy to deal with us. He came as a servant, not as a tyrant. Humility strikes not. It foreshadows the greatest act of humility. Jesus took on God’s justice that we deserved. Humility takes the hit for the benefit of what’s most important. Jesus chose humility during Christmas. We should too.
Linx & Stuff
The Bible says to rejoice with those who rejoice. A good friend of mine, Brian C. Jacobs, is getting to enjoy a dream of his. He recently published his first book: The Enigma Squad: The Case of the Old Man in the Mailbox. Brian dreams for this to be the first in an adventure series called The Enigma Squad.
Reading is important for children. It builds thought, imagination and learning. The Enigma Squad I hope builds and grows an audience. I’ve worked with Brian on a few creative projects. Brian excels at creativity and story telling.
To my friend, Brian: Congratulations & Dream big! As my boys grow older, I hope to one day by a box set of Enigma Squad books for my boys.
If you appreciate reading and know kids who enjoy adventure, check out the links below. What a better way to enjoy Christmas than to sit by the fire and read to your children.
Why I stayed in church
I’ve constantly dealt with the question of why 20’s and early 30’s were leaving the church. I never asked why I didn’t leave. Here is a first attempt at answering the question. It revolves around one key thing: God.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 1:6
Religion is a crutch
True. We do not need a crutch, we need a savior. We don’t need help or an aid, we need something that will radically change us. The biggest thing to me about the church is the Gospel. The central message of the Gospel is death to life; sin to righteousness. This isn’t found by a right of passage or a self-help crutch. It is founded on Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.
Christians are just hypocrites
True. We’re also liars, thieves, fornicators, cheats, gossips, gluttons, drunkards, murderers, slanders, etc. Funny thing is, as I look across the human experience, I see the same thing. The church isn’t made of perfect people, and if it were, we’d at least be liars according to 1 John. Church is family. We’re not perfect, but being perfect is not the point. Again, it comes down to the central message of the Gospel. Church is filled with redeemed people not perfect people.
Church doesn’t meet my needs
True. Here is the paradox of church: If everyone comes to church focused on meeting everyone’s needs, everyone’s needs gets met. Church is not about what you can get, it is about what you can give to others. Why would someone join something that is not about them is a bit crazy. This goes back to the central message of the Gospel: Jesus gave Himself on our behalf. His focus was on our needs and the Father’s will, not Himself.
The Gospel
I did not quit because I believe Jesus died and rose again. Believing this means being a part of a community of people who also hold that belief and seek to proclaim the message of death to life. The Gospel is central. Church is not about what I get, but as Jesus modeled, church is about what I give. The hardest principle to get is realizing the church is not about me, it’s about Him.
The Church
I embrace the church because it is Jesus’ most prized possession. In pursuing Christ and helping others, ultimately our own needs get met. In getting the focus off ourselves we gain depth and a spirituality that can only come from the grace of the Cross. In church we realize the greatest need of all mankind and the only solution. We’re messed up, and knowing that fully, Jesus still reached out to us.
The bottom line:
I did not quit church because Jesus did not quit on me, those in the church, or those who still have not heard the Gospel. The church isn’t perfect and neither am I, and that’s ok. Christ is the one who makes us complete and perfect. The problems of church become less and when I pursue God and help others more.
Friends & Internet
A friend sent a link to a blog article that is very profound, I think. It is worth your time to read and ponder.
A few of my favorite things…
The past few months I’ve been reflecting on thankfulness. I’m not Oprah bashing…Well… Maybe…So, in the spirit of the holidays, here is a few of my favorite things in no particular order:
The Coffee Shoppe Experience
This is a simple pleasure that a lady must enjoy to marry me. Kelly passed the test with flying colors! It’s simple. A bistro table, favorite warm beverage, and someone to enjoy a good conversation with. For a few dollars, a priceless experience. It works for discussing life, romancing, strategic planning, dreaming, discussing theology, and listening to jazz music.
Classic Classical Compositions
The most thorough enjoyment of music is classical. Like any genre, there is great compositions, good compositions, and the rest. Classical music is best listened to live, and best with a friend, followed or preceded by a coffee shoppe experience. The most brilliant thing about classical music is how much can be said by saying nothing at all.
The Bible
Good for multiple things, it’s main focus is on describing who God is and who we are in light of that. Many describe the Bible in many analogies. I like none of them. The Bible stands on its own, and without it we’d lack a fuller knowledge of who God is. To engage in a relationship with God, the Bible is essential. Not as a legalistic endeavor, an archeological dig, or some self-help guru gig. It’s a fine balance of devotion and study. The Bible is like a spouse. It takes fine tuned listening, observing and study for the purpose of knowing and engaging, not for sordid gain.
The Moleskin
Pen on paper will likely not go away. There is something about the immediacy of drafting ideas on paper that a technological device just cannot match. The Moleskin is a simple device to capture whims, ideas, dreams quotes, and recipes.
The Sunday Drive
Hop in the car, and just drive for driving’s sake. This is also a good time to enjoy oldies music, or depending on the road traveled and car driven- the symphony of the car engine. It is also a good time for conversation with a friend or romance with a mate. While some may prefer walking, driving requires horsepower, and I’m a guy. Fall and spring are the best seasons for the drive.
Writing
I think this one is self-explanatory.
Playtime
My boyz take me on many adventures, and I do the same for them. The joy of having children is you get to rediscover much of life that you knew but forgot. It speaks to why undervaluing children is so dangerous. They allow us to see the world with fresh eyes with the added benefit of the wisdom and experience we’ve hopefully gained. Children are just as good teachers as anyone.
BBQ
Ribs, steak, ribs, chicken, ribs, pork, ribs, beef briquette, more ribs… Enjoying BBQ requires people. It’s not a solo experience, it’s a fun one. BBQ involves conversation, messiness, artery clogging goodness. Well, the artery business can be avoided, but you get my point. Did I mention ribs? Yeah, those are best.
The bottom line:
My favorite things in life center on this: People and God. Without them, nothing else really matters. Eat, drink and enjoy the fruit of your labor, for this too is a gift from God.
Happy Thanksgiving!
T.Woznek 