{"id":2120,"date":"2007-11-18T04:54:28","date_gmt":"2007-11-18T10:54:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/one-church.net\/wordpress\/?p=26"},"modified":"2007-11-18T04:54:28","modified_gmt":"2007-11-18T10:54:28","slug":"getting-better-reception-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.crosseyedlife.com\/index.php\/2007\/11\/18\/getting-better-reception-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Better Reception"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all? sin. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Holy Bible : New International Version<\/span><\/em>. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Jn 1:5<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 Well, it’s the question that has been asked and thousands times this past week\u2026 what did you get for Christmas?\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

I heard a lot of different responses from kids and adults, but I believe my wife is the absolute bomb because she got me satellite radio. This is just about one of the coolest things I have ever seen.<\/p>\n

There are 170 some stations that range from all talk to commercial free music to Christian programming to lots of things that I\u2019ll never be listening to (let’s just say,\u00a0NOT Christian programming). Personally, my favorites have been the all comedy channels, the commercial-free 80s (Mullets RULZ)\u00a0network and one of the Christian stations that plays some pretty good stuff. Although regarding the Christian station, I must be honest, since I live in Kansas this new\/hip music that I’m experiencing may already be a couple of years old. Things\u00a0tend to take some time before they reach the farmland here, you know.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

I have been intrigued with satellite radio since it came out a few years ago, but I have not jumped in since the radios have to be plugged into some kind of satellite antenna. This is a way to stationary for me….until now (Wink, Wink)<\/p>\n

Kathy found this satellite receiver with a built in antenna so I can take this new little techy gadget wherever I want to go. Being a nerd has never been so cool.\"inno_coldplay\"<\/p>\n

Honestly, when I first started playing with this new toy I was a bit frustrated.<\/p>\n

Even though this unit had a built in antenna, the reception seemed sketchy and pretty limited. Actually, I wasn’t so much frustrated as I was just hacked off \u2026 ever been there?\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Still, it came with a home docking station that had a satellite antenna receiver with about 7.9 million miles of cable so you could mount the antenna outside somewhere.<\/p>\n

When you plug it into that\u2026 it works like a champ. So, it got me to wondering why the built-in antenna was so cantankerous. And, the end result of my wondering took me to a place that few males have ever gone before\u2026 I decided to read the directions (gasp).<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the gist of it: to get a good signal you must look for open sky between your unit and the satellite. Thus, sitting in basements\u2026 not a good idea. Trying to tune in from a windowless brick office building\u2026 not gonna happen.<\/p>\n

But, you find a window and some open sky\u2026 BANG!!!! Baby, you got 170 + channels of digital radio joy!<\/p>\n

In this process, here is what I learned: the satellite\u2026 not the issue. The receiver\u2026 not a problem. The position of the user\u2026 there\u2019s the monkey!<\/p>\n

If you want all the pieces to work you have to have them in the right position. And, since the satellite never moves, theres a pretty good chance its user positioning error.<\/p>\n

And, here’s the God point (you knew it was coming didn\u2019t you), sometimes we need to find a little open sky if we\u2019re going to clear up the reception.<\/p>\n

God is always transmitting, and we\u2019re usually listening (believe it or not), but we can\u2019t pick up the signal because we\u2019ve moved into a position that blocks reception.<\/p>\n

Okay, I\u2019m not saying we have to revert back to the days of rabbit ears on a TV to hear from God. You know\u2026 \u201dBilly\u2026 hold the antenna with your left hand, stand on one leg and stick your tongue to the lampstand\u2026. There\u2026. That\u2019s IT!!!\u201d<\/p>\n

That would be a very legalistic view of God, and not gel with what we know about Him. Like saying, if you jump through enough hoops then maybe He’ll talk to you. That is NOT what I am saying.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s more like this: we\u2019re asking God questions but we don\u2019t seem to be getting answers. What\u2019s the meaning of life? Will I ever be happy? How do I move on with my life?<\/p>\n

The truth is, He is answering, but He is talking to us about the most pressing needs of our life.<\/p>\n

We ask, \u201cWhat\u2019s the meaning of life?\u201d God responds, \u201cWell, that\u2019s a good question but why don\u2019t we tackle what you\u2019re really interested in\u2026 you know\u2026 your husband and all his issues?\u201d<\/p>\n

We ask, \u201cWill I ever be happy?\u201d God responds, \u201cWow\u2026 that\u2019s a pretty deep question, but don\u2019t you mean will I ever get over my jealousy issues\u2026 I don\u2019t know, I think maybe we should probably clear that up first.\u201d<\/p>\n

In communication terms they call it environmental\/emotional noise and it\u2019s sometimes so loud we can\u2019t even hear our own thoughts, let alone the conversations we’re having. The message is crowded out by all the reception issues.<\/p>\n

\"\"As a searcher, seeking to know and understand God, I find that my philosophical quandaries make little sense against the backdrop of my fears about meteors destroying the planet or the volcano under Yellowstone erupting and blacking out the sun. Or, the\u00a0even more important things like wondering if people think my youngest son is slow because he\u2019s twice the size of other kids his age\u2026 because he\u2019s not, he\u2019s very bright and I\u2019ll hit you if you ask again.<\/p>\n

The point is, God is always transmitting, but we sometimes have a problem receiving. The solution\u2026find some open sky. And, as I offer these things to you, just know they are reminders for myself for the coming year:<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Take time off, not to get things done or catch up. Take time off.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Listen to more music with headphones, lying still. Please make it positive music. Having some quiet time with Tool is probably not going to fix anything, but may ensure your need for therapy later.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Plan your priorities. The tyranny of the urgent will kill you. That\u2019s when you do whatever is due next, but the truth is\u2026 sometimes that stuff isn\u2019t worth doing at all. Do what\u2019s important, and don’t even do the rest…. I know… BLASPHEMER! Well, deal with it.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Spend your money, time and energy in this order for these purposes\u2026 for God Stuff, for family stuff, for others, for yourself.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Think about this in every moment of everyday: In this conversation, is there open sky between me and God? In this responsibility is there open sky between me and my God? In this relationship is there open sky between me and my God? If the answer is no, then the walls are closing in and the light is being shut out. You may be walking in the dark.<\/p>\n

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship (open sky) with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all? sin.<\/p>\n

May 2007 be a great walk under open skies!!!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he … <\/p>\n

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