32 Resolutions

32, originally uploaded by staarkidd.

Resolutions... new year's and birthdays. I've never been very good at resolutions. i'd like to think it's because i have a bad memory but the truth is, most years have been just fine. This year, however, i find myself looking back with a sense of volatility. In a way, I am tempted to sulk in feelings of failure... relationships, family, career... but truthfully, each of these has been fulfilling. It is my character failings that have challenged the depth and resolve in each of these other areas of my life. Although tempted towards despondence, the easy path isn't always the right path (Harry Potter reference?).

This morning, i read this insightful devotional that truly has inspired me to discover what does the Grace of God mean in accepting what i am. Perhaps these words might also encourage you in this season.

By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain . . .
—1 Corinthians 15:10

"The way we continually talk about our own inabilities is an insult to our Creator. To complain over our incompetence is to accuse God falsely of having overlooked us. Get into the habit of examining from God’s perspective those things that sound so humble to men. You will be amazed at how unbelievably inappropriate and disrespectful they are to Him. We say things such as, "Oh, I shouldn’t claim to be sanctified; I’m not a saint." But to say that before God means, "No, Lord, it is impossible for You to save and sanctify me; there are opportunities I have not had and so many imperfections in my brain and body; no, Lord, it isn’t possible." That may sound wonderfully humble to others, but before God it is an attitude of defiance.

There is only one relationship that really matters, and that is your personal relationship to your personal Redeemer and Lord. If you maintain that at all costs, letting everything else go, God will fulfill His purpose through your life. One individual life may be of priceless value to God’s purposes, and yours may be that life."

http://www.rbc.org/utmost/

Nov. 30

warhola

warhola, originally uploaded by staarkidd.

Kari and I went to see Andy Warhol's American Dream exhibit last night. I must admit, i've never really admired Warhol, but then i realized how important it is for someone in every generation to draw a big frame around culture so that we have something definitive to look back at and remember what it was all about. In some ways i don't particularly agree with my own statement, but have a look at any history book, we only remember the things packaged well and that fit together nicely.

Some of the things Andy said struck me as interesting:

It's the movies that have really been running things in America ever since they were invented. They show you what to do, how to do it, when to do it, how to feel about it, and how to look how you feel about it.

The most exciting thing is not doing it. If you fall in love with someone and never do it, it's much more exciting.

An artist is someone who produces things that people don't need to have but that he - for some reason - thinks it would be a good idea to give them.

Everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.

I'm bored with that line. I never use it anymore. My new line is "In 15 minutes everybody will be famous."

I'd asked around 10 or 15 people for suggestions. Finally one lady friend asked the right question, 'Well, what do you love most?' That's how I started painting money.

I met someone on the street who said wasn't it great that we're going to have a movie star for president, that it was so Pop, and (laughs) when you think about it like that, it is great, it's so American.