Just Charlie

A digital commonplace for a Regular Guy called Charlie Pharis

Category: Thoughts (page 8 of 15)

August 22, 2010 / 0 Comments

Sometimes, You Just Have to Wonder…

I pride myself on being somewhat of an astute observer. It is amazing how much you can learn sometimes, just by watching. Sometimes when you watch, though, you just have to scratch your head and go, “Huh?!?!” Here’s a little list of some of those head-scratching, head-shaking, huh?!?!-inducing things I’m wondering about tonight.

Sometimes, you just have to wonder…

  • Whether people who claim to be “all about those far from God” really are. Or not.
  • How Jesus might respond to the modern equivalent of the disciples’ attitude in Luke 9:49-50.
  • How quickly the “cool kids” turn out to be just the same as the “uncool kids” they’re trying hard not to be like.
  • How quickly people who owe so much to their spiritual “ancestors” try to whitewash history, as though it never happened.
  • Why it’s not nearly as easy to learn from the mistakes and sins of others as it ought to be.
  • Why we focus so much on the kid who blew it and went off into the far country, but came to his senses and returned home, while we are the real prodigals, allegedly in close proximity to Dad, but farther away than our kid brother ever was.
  • How in the world people at local youth organizations with gyms and pools can behave as though they are pretentious members at some privileged exclusive club.
  • What it takes to walk your own walk.
  • What was _____________ thinking? (Fill in your own blank here. You must have scratched your head and asked, “Huh?!?!?” at some point today.)
  • Why God doesn’t just zap most of us and get it over with.

I’m sure there are others, but that’s enough for now.

May 14, 2010 / 0 Comments

You Would Think…

You would think somebody who helps other people start and stick with an exercise program would be the picture of health and fitness.

You would think somebody charged with teaching a class on effective written communication would be a pretty good writer.

You would think somebody whose calling is to lead others in Christian ministry would be a devoted follower of Jesus.

You would think so. But you might be wrong.

May 14, 2010 / 0 Comments

The War of Art…

I’ve just finished reading Steven Pressfield’s great book The War of Art. Some parts of it – OK, most of it – jacked me up pretty good. Here are some of the quotes that are doing it to me today…

Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us.

The most pernicious aspect of procrastination is that it can become a habit. We don’t just put off our lives today; we put them off till our deathbed.

What counted was that I had, after years of running from it, actually sat down and done my work.

It is one thing to study war and another to live the warrior’s life. (Telamon of Arcadia)

Make the tale live for us in all its many bearings….(T.E. Lawrence’s translation of The Odyssey)

May 2, 2010 / 0 Comments

Sunday Night Unwind, 05.02.10

In a jazz mood for tonight’s Unwind. The Bebop/Combo channel on Pandora is filling the bill quite nicely, thank you. At this moment, Stan Getz is playing a song called “Beatrice,” and it really is in that cool jazz mode.

Anyway, here’s what’s rolling around in my head and my heart, and dropping out on the keyboard…

  • Speaking of jazz, I would’ve enjoyed these guys at the Jazz Mass this morning!
  • And who knew Cartersville, Georgia has a live jazz place? Cartersville?!?! Get outta here!
  • Oh, and that bassist? yeah…he’s pretty much my musical hero!
  • Cartersville?!?!?
  • It was good to be back at The ‘Crest today, after a week away at Fusion Church.
  • I finished a series called “Running on Empty,” and talked about how we need to take the time to refuel and recharge in our walk with Jesus. I thought it was pretty good stuff!
  • Got to spend the afternoon with the lovely and gracious Mrs. Just Charlie and The Boy…a little lunch, a little clothes shopping, and little hanging out…a good time!
  • The Boy is hopefully winding down this this part of his academic journey soon.I really feel for newly-minted college graduates trying to find a real job in this economy.
  • Heard some disturbing new about one of our elderly members today that makes my blood boil! I’m not sure there’s anything we can do, but I sure am hacked off about it!
  • Getting back on track with my health and fitness again. It’s impossible to live today on what you did yesterday. Or four years ago.
  • I’m on the lookout for a new bag in which to carry my laptop and other assorted junk. I’m leaning toward the Timbuk2, although I haven’t really scoped out the specific model. If it’s good enough for Tony McCollum and Randy Bohlender, it’s good enough for me!
  • Yeah, yeah! I know…who’s got time to go to blogs anymore? That would be tonymccollum and rbohlender, respectively, thank you very much! Sheesh!
  • Dang! John Coltrane could play!
  • I’ve been a reader for as long as I can remember. This Kindle for the PC app has re-ignited a passion for reading though! I’ve just finished Peter Scazzero’s Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, and Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson’s Rework, and I’m about to dive into Ben Arment’s Church in the Making, along with some classic Bonhoeffer and St. John of the Cross. How’s that for eclectic?

Well, this post that started out rather promisingly has now started to drag, so I’m going to quit, and read some, drink a cup of coffee, and get ready for the storm that’s on the way later tonight.

October 18, 2009 / 0 Comments

Sunday Night Unwind, 10.18.09…

Hey, loyal readers…both of you! I’m unwinding tonight in Starbucks in Woodstock, Georgia. This is becoming a weekly ritual after long days. I’ve got the old iTunes kicked up , and I’m listening to a Genius mix based on Hillsong United’s great From the Inside Out.

Some things on my mind and in my heart tonight…

  • True confession time: Today was the first day in a long, long time I didn’t actually dread showing up at church. I know that’s weird for a pastor to say. Somewhere along the way to somewhere else, I lost that real sense of joy I used to have. Today was different, and I pray that’s going to be a regular thing again.
  • I don’t share that to whine, but just to lay it out there, and let you know that if you’ve got an extra prayer or two, I won’t try to convince you not to use them on my behalf!
  • I’m teaching through the powerful and practical epistle of James these days. It’s been good to get back to my roots, so to speak. For all the cool, hip, happening, relevant topical preaching out there, there is still something pretty powerful about opening up part of The Book and working through it in a systematic, deliberate way.
  • I want to be both Biblical and unboring.
  • I talked about facing the future this morning. I wondered aloud if I talk a lot about faith and all that, but live like a “practical atheist,” as though God really doesn’t exist and is not a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Ouch!
  • I wondered aloud if I presume on His grace when I assume things about tomorrow that may or may not be true. And yes, I used the great lesson of the word assume: you make one out of U and ME when you do it! Ouch, Number 2!
  • And I wondered aloud if I’m cruising through my life with God’s dream, purpose, and plans percolating on the inside, but not taking shape in my life. I wondered aloud what’s keeping me from fulfilling His plan and purposes. Big OUCH, Number 3!
  • I’m planning on talking about money next week.
  • I’m learning some hard lessons about trusting God to provide in the face of great need these days. At least I hope I’m learning the lessons. I don’t want this process to go on indefinitely!
  • Fasting without praying is just a cruel and joyless diet.
  • Action cures fear.
  • I’ve got at least 3 books in various stages of unread. I need to finish them and find something new.
  • I’m old and tired. That’s reality, but I tend to trot it out as a convenient excuse for not doing something.
  • I love Loreena McKennitt’s Christmas stuff!
  • I’m breaking my own rule and actually rooting for an orange team against another orange team next weekend. Hey, Perry…make sure your Tigers win, OK?
  • BTW, how ’bout them Jackets?!?!?
  • What the heck is a Hokie anyway?
  • There’s way too much math homework going on in here tonight!
  • My couple of hours of free wi-fi is about up, and my rambling has about rambled out.

Make it a great evening!

December 14, 2008 / 0 Comments

But On the Other Hand…

…some things are blowing my socks off these days! Can I share with you two loyal readers some of those? You know, yin and yang, Ben and Jerry, peanut butter and jelly?

Today I’m way impressed by…

  • God’s grace!
  • His gift of Jesus Christ!
  • The lovely and gracious “Mrs. Just Charlie”!
  • Good friends, who put up with my hanging around!
  • Great books!
  • Tony Bennett’s Christmas albums, old and new!
  • The way things work out in spite of my inadequacies and failures!
  • Small unexpected gifts!
  • Some of the folks with whom I get to do life!
  • Starbucks Christmas Blend!
  • Cashews!
  • Old Bass Weejuns!
  • “Christmas in Dixie”!
  • God’s amazing provision!
  • Provino’s garlic rolls!
  • Christmas cards from great friends with absolutely elegant handwriting!
  • Reconnecting with old friends!
  • People who share what they know!
  • Encouragers!
December 14, 2008 / 1 Comment

Underwhelmed…

bored_mime

I’m generally a pretty upbeat guy, who tries to see the brighter side of things, even when there’s not really a brighter side. OK, call me Pollyanna. But today, for some reason, I’ve noticed a few things that have left me a little less than impressed. You — all both of you loyal readers — don’t mind if I unload a list of underwhelming things today, do you? Here we go…

Today, I’m particularly underwhelmed by…

  • Twitter and Facebook when they don’t automatically update like they’re supposed to do. (In the interest of full disclosure, that feature is working again now.)
  • Small group leaders who don’t show up without notice.
  • Small group leaders who show up but aren’t prepared.
  • The service this afternoon at lunch.
  • Annoying car problems that will probably turn into major deals.
  • My own leadership as of late.
  • Modern Christmas music.
  • People who can’t — or won’t — make up their minds.
  • Church folks who just don’t “get it.”
  • My own ability to define “it” so that they do “get it.”
  • Politicians.
  • Workout plans that don’t seem to work.
  • Blamers.
  • Haters.
  • Bribers.
  • Obnoxious know-it-alls.

There you go. Thanks for letting me vent. What’s underwhelming you today?

December 1, 2008 / 0 Comments

A Couple of Random Thoughts…

…head…heart…torn-up Moleskine…

  • How can I tell if I know Jesus? If I’m keeping His commandments! That’s it!
  • How can I tell if I’m following Him? If I walk in the same way in which He walked!
  • Just because I’m in a difficult or even impossible place, it doesn’t necessarily mean I’m out of God’s will, or that I’m disobedient, or that I missed His leading, or even that I’m a colossal failure. It may just mean I’m right where He took me (cf. Ezekiel 37) or where He sent me (cf. Jeremiah 29). I really need to remember that right now!
  • Mike Slaughter wrote…“Renewal is much more than adding a little more Jesus to the mix. A little more Jesus won’t work. Jesus must be the absolute focus.” (Spiritual Entrepreneurs, p. 35)
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