gehrke's regards
enjoying a bowl of life…lavish.
lavish: to bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities upon.
1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called the children of God.
That is just incredible. Mind blowing. I couldn’t stop thinking about that verse yesterday. Here’s what rolled around my head/heart…
Well I have to first start by saying that, as a teacher, I’ve always told my students I love them. As a teacher in a Christian school, I blessed to be able to say that Christ loves me and so I love them as He called me to do. That love is shown by respecting and encouraging them, and I always let them know I’ll be there for them even after they leave 8th grade if they ever need to talk, share or need some advice. I love having that trust and relationship and many have taken me up on it. I feel honored and blessed to be able to shower them with that love.
Then I had my own child. A new door was opened. I couldn’t have explained until it happened. A new kind of love.
(Most times) you can tell the difference between an adult interacting with a child they know and then their own child. There is a connection and extra something with their own child. Although, I know this is not always the case and, sadly, some children are left feeling neglected. Those situations break my heart. Even those who have been through that don’t have to worry about that from our Heavenly Father.
I love the NIV translation of this phrase: love the Father has LAVISHED on us. Wow! What does that look like? Feel like? How would you picture an actual person in your life LAVISHING upon you love? I’m not talking about romantic love, that’s easier to picture, but not the right form in this case. The Greek word is agape, which translated can best be described as unconditional love for all. Then He LAVISHES this complete, genuine, wholehearted love all over you. Seeping into your pores, gushing into your ears, filling up your heart to overflowing.
Now go back and imagine that dad loving his little son so immensely you have no doubt it’s his child. Then multiply it by millions. billions. This scripture says that if someone saw God loving us THAT much (LAVISHLY) we should (must) be called the children of God. There would be no doubt.
The fact is: there IS NOT a doubt. God loves you not like His child, but AS His child every single day. That Love came down to earth humbly as child to become complete Love for us on a cross. Let’s remember that this Advent/Christmas Season, and live soaking up and constantly remembering that love everyday of our lives.
Weak.
I remember reading a book before our son was born (actually read a number of books!) that said people lie all the time after they first have a kid. Random person: “OH!!! How is (child)?!? Isn’t being a parent awesome?!?!” new parent: “Yeah! It’s great- its going so well.” Except you’re really thinking: “I wish I could figure how to calm my baby at 2am…I’m so tired…am I doing everything right?…I hope I’m not messing him up permanently…”
I have to say that I feel Emily and I are a great team and we felt quite prepared for Will but you still have those questions…and yet you try not to admit them or push through them or whatever.
I knew I’d have hard times but I never thought I’d be pushed to that “brink” so early you know? But after a long week or work day and you get waken up at 1am, he doesn’t want the bottle, the pacifier, to be rocked, and he has a dry diaper…but he KEEPS CRYING!!! What do you do?!?!?
I had a moment like that this week and I just felt completely and utterly helpless. To lay it out bare bones: weak. I just found myself hugging him close as he screamed and screamed while I whispered, “Help God, please help us, help God…”
Emily must have heard the screaming through 2 doors and came to me. She suggested just to try another soothing method that I had forgotten in the midst of it all. He began to calm and I told her how weak I felt- she said, “God’s power is made perfect in your weakness.”
That verse from Corinthians meant more at that moment than any other in my life and it’s one of my favorites. I remembered the simple prayer God had laid on my heart minutes before and thanked Him for stirring that trust in me.
When I am weak: He is strong.
I want my children to know that, experience that, live that, and hold fast to that. But most importantly, I want them to see their Dad showing them where his only strength comes from…our loving Savior Jesus Christ.
How food ate ME.
The last couple months have been a somewhat unnerving journey for me. I’ve been reading a very eye-opening book while attempting to change my relationship with food. These two things weren’t designed to coincide, but alas they did, and have drastically changed me. This whole time I’ve been thinking about the food I’ve been eating, but this morning I realized that my food has been eating me.
First off, I’m not a book reviewer and I get a little cringe at the back of my neck thinking about book reports. Not because I don’t think I can remember the book, finish the assignment or even write well. I just get nervous about trying to hit the true main points or really giving the book its full due in a short summary. I think I just recognize the importance of the entire narrative and just want the person to read the whole thing so they don’t miss any sweet morsel! I also hesitate because I know my bias and personal insights will be reflected alongside the summary and that may invite contradiction or questions from readers. I guess I’m just being honest about a personal issue, but this time it’s so real to me. These are my experiences and I’m willing to share, but until I had gone through it, I probably would’ve judged me too.
Food Ate Away at My OUTLOOK
A little while ago, I began reading this book at the recommendation of a friend. It’s called The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan. We were talking about processed food and the nature of our food and she said I had to read it! Isn’t that what they always say? So I decided to dive in and just see. I have to say that I haven’t researched this further so I can’t say with full conviction that everything is completely accurate, so I’m going to give you some of the author’s insights. He wanted to see where our food actually comes from. As people who have the choice to eat anything, we are faced everyday with making a decision. To eat or not to eat: that is the question. Do we really know how our food is grown? What is put into it? Why those choices are placed in front of me in the grocery store? Why are there 92 different choices of cereal?
What I appreciate is that he did his best to report on what he saw and not try and take a side. I also tried to read it with an open mind and just take in the information. I knew I wasn’t going to be converted into a vegetarian by the inhumane feedlots of cows and he wasn’t trying to push me that way. But it was interesting to hear about what he witnessed and researched about how unclean it really can be. They wouldn’t even let him see how they slaughter the cows. Issues such as feeding cows huge quantities of corn in order to fatten them up faster to produce more meat, but having to give them antibiotics to keep them healthy because their bodies were really meant to consume grass. Then realizing that those antibiotics are still in the meat when we eat it.
There are so many things that he noticed and brought to light about our food chain which has become extremely marketed, industrialized, commercialized, regulated and filled with fillers to make our food cheaper with a longer shelf life. Some of these innovations are awesome and help us to feed many more people but a lot of them just seem to fill us full of unnecessary chemicals and unnatural sugars that can lead to many health issues.
I am a food freak now? I wouldn’t say that. Am I going to judge you for eating what you want? Definitely not. Will I refuse food at your house? Nope. Will I make people eating around me feel uncomfortable or press these ideas upon you? Not a chance. Will I attempt to eat as much clean, real food as I can for my own body? Yep.
This book made me realize one huge thing. I am in charge of what I put into my body and it’s the only body I’ll have the rest of my life. My body is not “me” but it carries “me” around and I need it to be in prime shape! So I’m going to invest in it.
So, as I began to learn and eat this way, my relationship with food was slowly eaten and began to be digested and churned into a new outlook and focus. One that, so far, has been very positive!
Food Ate Away My FORM
Not long after I began reading the book, Emily and I decided to change our relationship with food for real. Not just in our outlook but in our daily choices.
We changed the way we formed our menus and my body was transformed.
We decided to take the Whole30 challenge. Check it out.
I won’t get into all of the details, you can read up about it, but it’s a 30 day reset.
This is to challenge the way you look at food and to focus primarily on good, clean, real, whole food. Veggies, Fruit, Meat, Natural Spices, Good Fats, etc.
The first few days I really missed some of the things I was accustomed to eating, but I wanted to rid myself of those cravings and then reintroduce them later when I wasn’t ridden with an overwhelming desire just to have them. I wanted to choose to put them in my body without the additional pull. As I began to eat this way, which took much more planning, prep and cooking, I grew to really enjoy it. Not just the process but the food, it was so good! My tastebuds began to draw out so many more natural flavors that I hadn’t noticed in plain veggies and fruits when I had previously covered them with sweeteners, sauces or toppings. Amazing the flavors God naturally put into our foods! Wow. I began craving these over other processed foods and it felt so good. My body felt clean and whole. It’s hard to explain without actually living it. The impetus for this challenge was not weight loss, but I lost over 10 pounds in 30 days and I was eating…A LOT! I was only hungry a few times, but then I ate what I needed. My body was just using all the good stuff and losing the unnecessary stuff. It was incredible.
So where do I go from here?
Having eaten away at my presuppositions, my blind acceptance, my trust in what’s in food and what I actually consume has really shaken my whole relationship with food. I didn’t think 30 days would do it, but it certainly has. Reading the book just added to the overhaul and I’m still left trying to put together the pieces left over. I’ve not only shed pounds, but I’ve shed desires and addictions to things our commercialized food world wants us to buy. Not because it’s good for us, but because it makes them money. I want to eat real food with real benefits for my body. I plan to continue making healthy choices and standing up for my body. Feeling this good may take more time, maybe some more research, cooking/preparation and perhaps a little explanation, but it’s totally worth it.
You can’t directly choose how many taxes you pay, how much gasoline costs, if it will rain or not, but you have complete control over what you put into your body.
My Top 3 Idea/ToDo Apps
Ok. I’ll admit. I’m a list guy. I’m a post-it guy. All OVER the place. It’s really an issue. Emily laughs about it now, but there was certainly an initiation phase into Seth’s land of lists and post-its. She’s probably stronger because of it. Love you babe!
The problem is that I have all of these dreams, innovations, entrepreneurial ideas, useful projects, creations, plans, TODOs, etc constantly flowing through my brain. So…
In college I would have notebooks full of ideas and future plans, but it was hugely unorganized and how would I ever find a random idea in there? I’d also use post-its for stuff I’d need to do right then. I even dabbled with the infamous Palm Pilot organizer. The only problem is that 8 years before “the cloud” I was imagining something like “the cloud.” The Palm Pilot was great, but it was just a notebook. If I didn’t have it with me- I didn’t have it! Plus it wasn’t really that searchable.
Then came the email-catch all phase. Who else does this? I can’t be the only one. I’d email myself all of my ideas and dreams and plans when they popped in. I’d even email myself to take out the garbage that evening, because I knew I’d forget, but I’d check my email before I went to bed! Does anyone know the problem with this? Yep- cloggage. Major cloggage. A log jam of log jam clogs in my inbox. I get enough email, but then I have 35-40 emails from MYSELF about things that are…ideas. What do I do with these!?!
Here is my current solution: I realized my thoughts “mental tornadoes” could be placed into 3 general categories.
THE TOP 3
1. Evernote Websites/Creations/Lesson Plans/physical things that have been found or accomplished but need to be recalled again or improved upon and would be useful for future applications. This is where I take pictures of my music classroom before or after an awesome lesson so that I can save the pic of the setup, a description and tags pertaining to that concept/lesson/grade/activity. Then I can search those later in the future when I return to that concept again. You can do the same thing with websites (like Delicious). I’ll open the app on my phone, take a pic of a possible project at Lowe’s, tag it, describe it, set the geo-location of where I am, and be able to get it later. Then I can access it online anywhere or from a direct mac or iphone app. Another option to make a voice memo note and tag and describe that as well. Love it.
2. Workflowy Dreams/Thoughts/Planning/Ponderings- for many categories of life/work. My thanks to my buddy Thomas for throwing this idea out a while back! It works great for me. It’s really a very simple, creative way of keeping lists. I think it’s designed for step-based projects and sometimes I used it for that, but mainly I just keep multi-leveled lists here. It’s so intuitive and easy to use. You make a heading like the ones you see on my homepage. Then you click on the dot and it brings you to the sub menu of that main point without seeing all of the other main headings. Then you can have sub-sub menus to further describe detail what each idea entails. This may sound extremely frustrating to some people, but it works amazingly well for my brain’s organization. It’s really easy to go back and scan through your “idea flows” as I call them. Plus I can access it from anywhere as well. No more random notebooks.
3. Wunderlist TODO- anywhere between NOW and 1-2 months out. Definite Actionable items to cross off. I just started using this about 2 weeks ago. I used to use Google Tasks, but I like how much more clean this is. Plus I like how I can check it off, it turns grey, gets crossed out and falls to the bottom of the page. I feel so successful! This is only for TODO. No ideas- just tasks. The app loads quickly on my phone, so it’s just as easy as emailed myself and doesn’t clog up my inbox. I made a sample list for you here. I’ll probably finish that up tonight. You can also create different lists if you have different “jobs” in your life with separate tasks. You can set alarms for your tasks and add details as well. It’s working great so far.
I’d be happy to tell you more about them if you have any questions. I have to end with the best part about all 3…they’re free! So get organized and keep your brain happy. I know it keeps me sane. So, what do you use to stay organized and catalogued? Hit up the comments and let me know about your brain supplements!
What happens when you cancel Directv?
We’ve been trying to cancel Directv for almost 2 years. That momentous feat was finally accomplished thanks to an awesome customer service rep who was having a good day and let us out of our contract for nothing. zero. zilch. Where have you been all my life?
That actually happened soon after we found this. An idea that challenged participants to kill the tv for 30 days. It’s a pretty hardcore plan and since Directv was being a pain anyway we decided to give it a shot. We didn’t follow all of their specific details (we decided an occasional movie or youtube vid was ok!)- we just decided not to turn on the tv.
This didn’t seem too worrisome at first. I knew I could live without actually seeing who won American Idol, the next House Hunters episode, multiple sports games, or what the evening sitcom characters were doing.
But I did have one big concern…how am I going to relax?!?! That’s what you do…you work hard during the day so that you can have dinner and relax for the evening and watch tv. Duh. That’s what you do! I’m tired. I don’t want to think more in the evening- that’s what the day is for. Now I have to say, my wife and I are pretty busy people and aren’t around a ton in the evening anyway, but if I want TV, it’s there for me! It’s like a safety net of relaxation. Are you with me on this? Ok, maybe it was just my own messed up issue.
So, here’s what happens when you cancel Directv. We turned off the tv…and…
1. We talked with Directv in the middle of the 30 days and they let us go free and clean. I’m not implying some mystical connection here, but it’s pretty crazy.
2. There were a couple days that it crossed my mind, but I really hadn’t given it much thought at all.
3. My speaking vocabulary significantly improved- Emily even mentioned something about it because I’m reading much more.
4. My laptop harddrive is almost full because I found 88 CDs in a storage container I hadn’t listened to or downloaded in the past 5 years. Lots of new music!! With iTunes and an Airport Express connected to the receiver, we have wireless music going constantly in the house! It’s a great replacement for “background” tv noise.
5. I’m playing guitar/piano/saxophone much more and loving it. Playing for me, not just for work! Normally I would’ve just sat down on the couch and decided not to exert the effort to get the things out.
6. Surprisingly I haven’t had that huge desire to need it in the evening like I thought I would. I really do think it bordered on an addiction. I felt like I needed the tv. Now I want to do other things instead. Even when I’m tired, there are so many other things I can do to unwind. I had never even considered it before.
7. I go to bed sooner and wake feeling rested.
8. It’s well over 30 days now and I love it.
I didn’t write this to judge tv-watchers. So if you are a tv-lover, live it up and enjoy it! I just wanted to chronicle my own experience and the things that happened along the way. Maybe you’re in the same place I was 30+ days ago and just want to give it shot for one reason or another. Pull the plug and see what happens. A whole new world may be opened up to you that you didn’t even notice before!
Should I work at the Apple Store?
My mind is always toying with me. I’m like the little mouse and my spinning brain is like an ADD inflicted cat. There is always another plan or an idea or brainstorm. I think I have always been this way…thanks mom and dad. Just kidding!
Seriously though, ask my wife about my constant stream of inspirations. It can get a little crazy- but she’s figured me out and lets me dream. She’s awesome like that. Check out my whiteboard in my office- this is just the tip of the idea iceberg…
Ah yes, the Apple Store. Any Mac fiends out there?? Let’s hear you!! I love that place. It’s clean, fresh, innovative and full of Mac stuff. I’ve randomly thrown out there numerous times my desire to work there. I told Emily today that I think it would be so cool and I’d get to be apart of all the secretive releases and get all of the good stuff at a discount. I even looked up that fact that most Apple Store managers make about $60k/year! Nice….if I ever made it that far.
(insert a wonderfully scripted transition to Sonic Burgers…) A few days ago I was in line at the Sonic drive-through window, which by the way is insanely slow!, and something occurred to me. I could never work at Sonic. (note: for those who love and adore working at fastfood- I commend you- because you are needed and appreciated) But, I just couldn’t do it. As I waited, for what seemed like an eternity, I realized that if I had a new idea for running our Sonic or a plan to implement a new way of delivering food it would probably not come to fruition. My manger would probably tell me that it’s a chain and they need to be the same. Corporate has specific ways they want everything done. Which makes complete sense, because if I was in charge of branding at the corporate level I would expect them to be the same.
This burning desire to lead, vision and affect change came pouring out of me. I love that about my job. Yes, I work in conjunction with leadership at the church and the school, but I have a lot of room to flex, bend, adapt and guide the direction of the programs I was called to lead. God just wired us all differently and I’m just a freak for creating and forecasting the next thing.
So, as I began to consider the Apple worklife, I realized that I do not have the skill or training to be at the levels of Apple to affect real change. That will definitely never happen. And I’m ok with that. Would selling Apple merch be fun, sure, but it’s not where my true passions lie. God put me in this place, today, now…with these amazing people and kids. So I am incredibly thankful and I pray He gives me the wisdom to love boldly and lead humbly. (while still making time for some innovations and plans to come!)
Holy Tuesday!
This morning I was thinking…Mon-Wed of “Holy Week” don’t get any love. We have Palm Sunday (2 days ago), where Jesus humbly rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (per his request! Luke 19:30-31) as people praised him by waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” We now rejoice that our true King of Glory had arrived, but most of the people were also excited about celebrating the Passover Festival with family and friends. We had a wonderful celebration last Sunday with our family at Grace.
Then we have the lull…we go back to work for a couple days.
Then we celebrate with either a Seder Meal (remembering the passover meal and God’s salvation from the hands of the Egyptians and Moses leading them out) or with a Maundy Thursday service. I’m excited because we are recreating the Upper Room (Luke 22:10-12) where Jesus held the first Lord’s Supper or Communion with his disciples. Good Friday is one of the most contemplative services in the church year, because it is when we remember the pain, sin and wrath of God Jesus endured on our behalf, so that we could be spared and received forgiveness and life in Heaven. Then Saturday is preparation for the celebration of Easter- when on Sunday we REJOICE that Jesus rose again for us and defeated, sin, death and the devil!
So…it brings us back to the lull today…I’m dubbing it Holy Tuesday. What did Jesus do Mon-Wed while he awaited the trial and death he knew was coming? Well, there are some stories and specifics to read about in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) but they can all be generalized by something written in Luke to sum it up:
Luke 19:47-48 “Every day He was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.”
Jesus continued to do what His Father sent Him to do. Share with us love and the message of the Gospel: repent, be baptized and trust in the Lord above all else for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus would soon solidify that belief by becoming the Gospel himself. THE forgiveness of sins in whom we trust today. Whom we strive to put first in all that we do.
So, each day I will continue to live, continue to teach, continue to be humbled and learn, for my life is that Monday-Wednesday of Holy Week. Except there’s one difference…I’m not wondering if He’s the Christ, I know the ending…and it’s amazing! For one day I will die and rise again with Him in Heaven. So, my Holy Tuesday is filled with nothing but Joyous Hope as I continually hang on His every word!
Sarcasm: an invisible brick wall?
Zing! Ooooh- gotcha! hahaha! Oh yeah, haha, you got me…
Have you have worked on a team with a sarcastic person? Sports, school project, job, music group, event planning, etc, etc.
I think we all have at one time or another. You have to admit, sometimes it’s really funny. I have some extremely hilarious sarcastic friends- I could even name a few! A well placed joke or comment in the right situation is witty and appreciated. Yet, a string of zingers in the midst of a productive meeting or planning session gets in the way.
I’ve watched other teams, or co-workers, interact in past jobs as the first one mentions an honest idea or insightful thought only to have the return volley be a sarcastic remark. Now, from the outside, it seems like good fun. Maybe that one jab is meant to be harmless and a way to lighten the mood. What happens if that becomes the norm though? Your close team member is now known for that sort of reaction. What does that do to team dynamics and most of all trust?
Can you trust that person with an honest opinion or question? I think it becomes definitely more difficult. After a while, you start to redesign your line of conversation or sharing, so that you can minimize the “zing” or unnecessary comment. Now, I’m not specifically talking about casual conversation among friends, which may be able to handle more sarcasm, but mainly about team communication. Although, I could see too much misplaced sarcasm in a friendship become a problem as well.
So, this is where that invisible brick wall comes in. The sarcasm lays stone upon stone, and after a while, there is a communication/trust barrier between teammates. I’ve watched it happen to people I’ve worked with and it’s disappointing to see. The sarcastic person is a creative, insightful, hardworking addition to the team, but the team can’t honestly and openly communicate with them. They’ve unknowingly made it clear: “You’re going to get made fun of for your opinion and then I might actually get around to joining you in your idea or plan.” Progress, efficiency and trust are replaced with roadblocks, hesitation, and uneasiness in conversation.
If you’re a sarcastic person, use your wit to entertain and create laughter in appropriate situations. If you’re not careful, you could be slowly walling yourself off from the group.
forgiveness is refreshing
My wife, Emily, and I have something we’re really intentional about: forgiveness.
We’ve all had this experience:
You: “Sorry about that, I didn’t mean it, you know.” Them: “Yeah, it’s ok.” You: “Ok.”
Wait a second. That’s poor. There was no honesty, no humility, no full forgiveness, no love.
We all make mistakes and we know it. Own up to it. Otherwise, you walk away feeling like something is still hanging around like a nagging itch you can’t scratch.
Ours goes like this: Me: “I’m so sorry for (specifics), will you please forgive me?” Emily: “I forgive you, I love you.”
Now, this doesn’t mean she still isn’t hurt or that we don’t continue the discussion. We need the confession/repentance and then the offer of forgiveness and love and be willing to work through it.
This came to mind today when I read this verse: Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
I love that word: refreshing.
It brings pictures to my mind: a hot shower and the clean feeling afterward, a cold drink on a summer’s day, a waterfall washing the rocks beneath to a beautiful shine, a crystal-clear mountain lake, purity, freedom, peace.
When we ask for forgiveness and we receive it from God, we know that He has removed our sins “as far as the East is from the West.” He doesn’t remove them from His memory, but He neither chooses to remember or dwell on them anymore. You are refreshed and clean and begin brand-new everyday.
Let’s live sharing that same refreshing forgiveness.
American Idol could have better contestants
I’ve noticed a socio-cultural imbalance in the arts. Haven’t you?
On one hand, our nation/world has an obsession with music…especially in the past 10 years:
American Idol is one of the most popular shows to apply for and watch. The ability to download music from iTunes has increased the amount purchased by many times. iPods and other forms of digital music players allow us to be constantly surrounded by melodies and rhythms. Guitar Hero and Rockband have the young and old singing, playing, learning, participating and appreciating music together. People are also obsessed with other artforms like dance on Dancing with the Stars and America’s Got Talent. There are more and more independent musicians beginning careers or just sharing their music via Youtube, the61, MySpace, Facebook, Pandora, etc.
Some would say music is an epidemic and one we don’t want a cure for. Why stop something that inspires creativity, self-expression, confidence, teamwork and joy?
That’s something we should ask our school principals, school boards, superintendents and congressional committees.
I just don’t get it.
Imagine if everyone who applied to American Idol could stay on pitch and rhythm, because they had been given quality music education since preschool? Yes, there wouldn’t be as many people to laugh at, but we’d have some phenomenal musicians to bring us a wide variety of music! The possibilities of ensembles and performances would be endless! How exciting would that be??
Even if you weren’t the performer, you’d have a deeper appreciation for the musicians you listened to, because your ear/eyes/hands would be trained and skilled.
I am so blessed to be a music teacher in a private Christian school that has made the arts, academics, athletics and faith all strong core values. All are needed and essential. They help us connect to each other, love one another more deeply, learn about the world in different ways, and use the gifts God has given to the fullest.
Let’s not lose the opportunity to education our children in something which we all have a deep desire to love: music.
