This is a random reminder, but I think it's Spirit-prompted.
I have a core conviction. Actually, it's more than that. It was a word from the Lord. I'll never forget the Holy Spirit whispering this to me in a pup tent in Awash National Park (Ethiopia) at the end of an unforgettable day that included a game drive. I heard the Still Small Voice loud and clear: "Don't accumulate possessions. Accumulate experiences."
That has become a guiding theme in my life.
So here's my random thought. And I think this is for someone. Don't just give possessions that will rust and break and end up in a toy box. Give the gift of experience. Not sure how that translates into your context. But it might be worth investing money in an experience versus another possession.
I have a core conviction. Actually, it's more than that. It was a word from the Lord. I'll never forget the Holy Spirit whispering this to me in a pup tent in Awash National Park (Ethiopia) at the end of an unforgettable day that included a game drive. I heard the Still Small Voice loud and clear: "Don't accumulate possessions. Accumulate experiences."
That has become a guiding theme in my life.
So here's my random thought. And I think this is for someone. Don't just give possessions that will rust and break and end up in a toy box. Give the gift of experience. Not sure how that translates into your context. But it might be worth investing money in an experience versus another possession.
9 Comments:
Great motto and direction for life Mark! Good advice. I think I'll take it!
When are believers in Christ going to stop believing that the Holy Spirit or God is whispering to them?
God has already given us His word through which He speaks to us: It's called the Holy Bible. By this we live our lives and by this we know what God wants of us. Yes "experiences" are more important than possessions, but more than that God wants us to share not experiences but the Gospel with others. Experiences are something you can make at the mall or at the bar. As Christians we should strive for something more than just "experiences." I hope you meant more to it than that.
I am a grad student and God used academic humor to help me write this:
My ex-stepmother shared this with me recently and after the sermon on genealogy tonight and the post about collecting experience rather than possessions....... I wanted to share.
"If a blurb of spoken words does not include Jesus Christ, a testimony has not been shared; only a story has been told." Tim Wilkens writing about a Christ-less Christianity where we talk about faith and love but not the Author of our Faith or the One who is Love.
The experiences we share.. we need to make sure we don't plagiarize the Lord.
That's why I took up fly fishing! I can give my son posessions and experiences! Ha Ha!
I get what you are saying, Mark. Getting away from the "stuff" that can be a substitute for the life that God truly intended.
Great post.
I also want to add that those of you who choose to be so condescending and fault-finding seriously need to write your own blog instead of using someone else's public forum as a platform for your dissenting opinions.
Please tell me when you do, that way I can comment on your posts. (take a joke, please.) Nothing wrong with disagreement, and I'm know Mark is a big boy and that he welcomes healthy debate but some of these comments cross the line into just being plain mean.
Michael,
First of all, the greatest experiences are the experiences we accumulate following in the footsteps of Christ. Think of them as "faith experiences." When I post a little blog like this it's not meant to be a comprehensive theology :) I've preached and written extensively on this idea. I can totally see how you'd take it out of context if you're new to the blog.
Has God lost His voice? I think not. When you read Holy Scripture you're actually hearing the Holy Spirit because He inspired the writers and illuminates the readers. So you hear His voice every time you read the Bible. But to say that the only way God can speak is via Scripture is an awfully small view of God. God speaks through creation--Romans 1. God can sometimes speak through others--word of prophecy. And God can speak through that still, small voice of the Holy Spirit.
I love His voice :) Certainly, Scripture is in a unique category as special revelation. But I love all the ways God speaks!
He who has ears let him hear.
Mark
Randy,
I've asked before and I'll ask again: please don't comment on my blog. Love that you read my blog. But to be perfectly honest, I just don't have time to answer your questions. And part of the reason is that they are always out of right field and off base. It's a waste of time because we'll simply disagree on everything :)
Thanks for respecting my request. I'll get 18 million hits this year and you're the only person who posts negative comments all the time. That probably says something.
I'd encourage you to write your own blog.
Thanks,
Mark
Mark,
I know you've asked me to not comment, but I had to come to Randy's defense. You've clearly made a mistake and I think you have the two of us confused. I've never seen you ask him to not comment. His questions are always relevant and are based on scripture. Just a hint, you don't actually have to respond.
Based on you comments in Primal, which I am reading right now, you claim to welcome criticism. A good discussion with someone that you may not agree with is healthy. Iron sharpens iron. Yet you deleted some of my posts over the summer and are now banning Randy too. How secure are you in what you believe?
Just a thought.
In Christ,
Benjamin
Benjamin,
Glad you're still reading :) And really respect that you respected my request not to comment.
I have a simple rule...if a question is well-intention and genuine I'll answer it. But if someone incessantly questions character or motive or theology--someone who doesn't even know me--I just don't have time for that. All of us need people who we allow to speak into our lives, but those are the people who know us and we know them. Not a random blog commenter.
Over the years I've had a few blog stalkers who wait for me to simply post something they can take issue with (usually out of context) and then try to hijack my blog.
Between being a dad, husband, writer, pastor, and blogger...I just don't have time to answer questions unless I feel like they are asked in a genuine spirit of dialogue--not a diatribe. I obviously allow anyone to comment on my blog. But I don't want to allow comments that question theology or character without answering them. So the easiest thing is too encourage others to start their own blog instead of using mine to communicate their views.
Hope that makes sense.
No need to reply.
Mark
Mark your advice is simple and true. I have a good friend who recently returned to school to work on his masters. He's a manly man who likes to shot guns and hunt and he’s told me how he hates putting things together. He shared with me how he missed spending time with his 4 year old son and that there were times when his studying forced him to push his son away. When his birthday rolled around just before Thanksgiving I bought him a Gingerbread House Kit, complete with icing and candy for decoration. As he opened it I told him I chose to buy him a memory this year. The gift came with the instructions that he was to do it with his son and take pictures. I also noted that it didn't matter what the finished product looked like, it was the experience that counted. So, I guess I'll add to your comment, not should we be collecting experiences, but we should be helping our friends collect them too.
John Quinton, Revolution Church, A Simple Coffeehouse Church in Nacogdoches, TX
Post a Comment
<< Home