A-"Muse"-ing Thoughts

Hypocritical Counseling??

So this thought follows right on the footsteps of my last post.

I have a congregant who was sending me some text messages today of some struggles he is having and trying to keep in prayer and keep the faith.  And everything that I wanted to say to him, I paused and couldn't get it out... and the reason was not because I thought it was wrong information or anything of that nature.  But, instead, what I KNOW to be true and what i want to say to him is something that I am struggling to feel and implement in my own life at the current moment.  And so my hesitancy in sharing this is because I feel like a hypocrite with my advice (I am not a licensed counselor - so I do NOT do counseling). 

So that got me to thinking about the question:  Because the truth does not change whether you feel it or not, believe it or not, and even live it or not... is it still appropriate to share this advice with someone when you are struggling to live it out (or feel it) in your own life?  Just a question to ponder... but I'm certainly open to anyone leaving comments about what they think on this topic.

Peculiar behavior of men in public restrooms

No... this post will NOT be gross, or inappropriate, or crass, or rude, or TMI, or anything of the nature... so it is safe to read on.  :-)

Men have some very strange "habits," one might call them, when using a public restroom - especially those with stand-up urinals.  Some men will flush the toilet immediately before they even start using it (and most of the time those men do not flush a second time when they are done).  Some men will flush in the middle.  Some don't even flush at all.  But there was one instance I observed the other day that baffled me more than any other.  There was one man, when he was finished using the urinal, for whatever reason I am not sure, did not use his hand to flush, but instead used his elbow.

Now, I can understand someone not wanting to use their bare hand to flush at a public urinal - and maybe grabbing a towel or something to use.  But here is why this man baffled me.  If you get something you do not want on your hand when you are flushing (like germs or cooties... hehehe), you are about to wash your hands and you can wash it off.  But this guy used his elbow to spare getting anything on his hand.  I wonder if he has paused to think that he is getting the same thing he is afraid of getting on his hand onto his elbow... AND he doesn't wash his elbow until the next time he takes a shower.  So, that one really baffled me and made me almost laugh out loud (and definitely did cause a little chuckle while I was standing there).  Well... I am glad his hand is safe and clean.  I wonder if anyone will ever point out to him (or if he will eventually figure it out) that it is much worse to use his elbow.

Anyway.... that is my random thought that I had yesterday.

Being Real

One of the things that is challenging in my life surround the whole idea of being real.  We are supposed to be real, not fake.  Especially as a Pastor, I am supposed to set the example of being real for others.  But that is a challenge because there is also pressure placed upon me as a pastor to be strong and set the example of someone who "has it all together."

Most days I find myself in a dilemma of how to do both of these things at the same time?  How can I be strong and set the example of someone who has it all together while also being real - especially when I am struggling?  And, I often find myself asking the question as well, "Who can I be real with?" 

There are times that I want to share with those in my congregation that I am close to what is really going on in my life, or how I am really feeling, but then feel that pressure on the other side that makes it so I do not feel the freedom to be vulnerable.  And so I find myself a lot of times feeling alone, lonely, and not able to share what is the "true" me.

Not sure what to even do with this... but decided to share this anyway... for whatever it is worth.

For anyone else who is in ministry... how do you balance these two things?  What do you do?  Who do you share with, and how much do you share?  My inquiring mind wants to know!

Last 4 posts

Wow... if you look back at my last 4 posts... there is a common thread among them - Time flies, I meant to blog more, I will try to do better.

Hmmm... does that mean I should keep trying or give up? I would ask my readers to respond and let me know their opinion on this, but I think with the infrequency of posts, I may not have any readers left. However, if you are reading this... give me your feedback... should I keep trying or give up?

Where does the time go?

I swear, the days, months, and years just meld together into one long stream of, "what?  Where did it all go?"

In addition to that, the best intentions are just that... only intentions.  There are SO many reasons and excuses I could give for why I have not had a post again sooner than this one... but that won't change the fact that it's been so long.   So I will just leave it at this... I am truly hoping to get back to blogging on a more regular basis.  How regular?  Only time will tell.  But if it means anything, I do have the best of intentions.  :)