Discerning Idolatry in Desire :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library

Discerning Idolatry in Desire :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library

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Birthdays

Okay, another birthday has come and gone. My grandfather (whose birthday I share) just turned 95 and I turned 47. If I have anything close to his genes and avoid any other premature cause of death (like my father's pancreatic cancer) then I might be looking at only half my life on earth. On the other hand, I suppose I am statistically headed for an earlier death if you listen to the actuaries, census bureau or whoever else is in the "Afterlife" business (I decided last night while misreading a partially blocked "A Metlife Company" sign that life insurance companies and the like should actually bill themselves as an "Afterlife Company" since the insured has no earthly life to concern them anymore).
Well, in either case, birthdays are a time for reflection as well as celebration: what have I accomplished this past year, where am I headed, am I one foot in the grave or both feet heading toward a glorious future, and etc.?
Introspection is hard because you can become morbid or even more selfish then normal. It can also cause others around you to dislike your company because its too depressing. Bottom-line: we simply are not very good at reflecting on death--or life. Yet, God wants us to think about it everyday because we have to remember what motivates our activities (our priorities) and where we are storing up our treasures (our investments).
I am definitely at one of those defining moments in my life where my priorities and investments are in question for the last 47 years of my life but more importantly from this day forward. These days living a "purpose-driven life" is the big thing--I don't have as much problem with knowing the big purpose of my life but knowing the specific purpose of my life (especially as it relates to career and church work--or maybe both as one). It is this uncertainity that seems to paralyze me some days or that I just plain ignore other days but maybe its time to focus on the priorities and investments I can make now and see if MY purpose comes more clearly into focus?

My First Post

Okay, I now have a blog. I guess if everyone else in the universe can contribute to the information glut, then why should I not also?

A bit about myself: currently I am unemployed after 16+ years working at one of the largest used bookstores specializing in relgious and theological books until the owner decided to close it down and concentrate on other divisions of his company. I thought I had found my niche in life and had planned on remaining there until I retired since it expressed my passions: books, computers and serving others. Now I am rexamining life and trying to decide what God would have me do now. I suggested to my wife that perhaps I am to be a Christian missionary to Star Trek conventions but it might be hard supporting my family in this way! Thus, this blog.

Well, I have to go save the environment for now--recycle all the old cardboard boxes we have laying around. Reasonable steps to take care of the world God has appointed us stewards over--but that is for another post someday!