I realize that people are looking for an example and in so many ways I fail to be a good example. It's humbling and heart breaking to see and hear the results of that but it's important that I do. It probably won't be until I have kids that I really understand the urgency of living and modeling a holy life but I want to and am so thankful for a glimpse into the seriousness of it.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Today was Interesting
I have a really heavy heart about some stuff that was shared with me last night. It came as part of a normal conversation and it wasn't until today that it rocked me and it was so right on and I'm really thankful that she shared it with me.
I realize that people are looking for an example and in so many ways I fail to be a good example. It's humbling and heart breaking to see and hear the results of that but it's important that I do. It probably won't be until I have kids that I really understand the urgency of living and modeling a holy life but I want to and am so thankful for a glimpse into the seriousness of it.
I realize that people are looking for an example and in so many ways I fail to be a good example. It's humbling and heart breaking to see and hear the results of that but it's important that I do. It probably won't be until I have kids that I really understand the urgency of living and modeling a holy life but I want to and am so thankful for a glimpse into the seriousness of it.
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21 comments:
I just want to encourage you in your pursuit of living in such a way that allows the people around you to see a reflection of Christ in your life. Oh yeah, it's hard, but the fact that you are willing to be humbled and broken is what makes you truly be a good example for others to follow!
Wow, that must be so humbling.
I'm glad you share that here on your blog, it makes me conscious of how I act too.
hm:(
Acts 13:15:
"Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak."
I am not a brother, but a sista'. This is the best I can do--random verses I looked up... and maybe one will help, depending on whatever your situation might be:
Proverbs 24:14
Psalm 19:14
Psalm 119:10
Acts 24:16
Psalm 103:8
Psalm 37:23-24
Titus 3:4-5
2 Corinthians 5:17
Ac
(random, based on word searches, that is. Not entirely random, like, "I opened the Bible to this page.")
Lydia is right. I once ran across a saying: "It's not the candle, nor the wick, but the burning." Your admirers can't imitate an object of perfection. They can only imitate the way in which you go about the journey/process (the burning). Integrity, grace, and a humble heart will always be the story of those whom God uses. "But God gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" James 4:6 -Shultz
"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."
- 1 Cor 11:1
I've heard it said that the softness of the heart determines how much you hear, grow and change. So many people in this world do not have a soft heart, and Your heart DJ has been getting visibly softer, and this has such a HUGE effect on those around you.
Remember, even Paul said, he did the things he did not want to do and he didn't do the things he did want to do.
Its not kids that brings about a holy life, from what i have seen and heart, but a desire to be "being" filled with the Holy Spirit and your desire to be christlike in your actions.
DJ, you rock, keep it up, being real and being holy bro.
You're just a darn good guy, in my book. Plain and simple ;)
We all fall short DJ. The fact that your heart is open to listening and growing says it all. You are on a great path. As a father of 4 (5th is on the way) I can tell you that it is no easy task to live that holy life you speak of. Like Mike Larson said about Paul "doing the things I do not want to do". Somedays it becomes more apparent when you are a father, but the mistakes still happen.
Keep on walking my friend. Grace is a wonderful gift!
DJ, you really are just so inspiring. You're a great example to me, and I only met you briefly on your Freedom Tour:) I was extremely moved in your tour by how willing you were to share, how humble you were, and despite your extreme success in the industry--you were just plain good, humble, full of integrity, and an all around nice guy. Just to give you a little hint of the example that you have been for me...ever since the tour I have made my business mantra "If you make your business about helping others, you'll always have plenty of work." I've done that, and its changed my life and my business. I've been blessed to help many other aspiring photographers, new friends, volunteer work in the community and for charity... and just like you said, I've also continued to have work in an increasingly hard economic time. I know that as we give freely of ourselves, miraculously it comes back to us as well. Thanks for teaching me that.
I've never mentioned it, but about 5 years ago when I first started out. You sent me a small random message to my e-mail telling me how nice the site was and you invited me to meet up with you and some folks at PPA in New Orleans. You were just a guy then behind a camera without all these huge expectations behind you - and I loved that note. I had no idea who you were at all, we had never spoken, and we really still have never - but I've always appreciated it. Just don't forget the little ways you can touch one's life.
everything we say and do to everyone everyday... it's a ripple effect. even the simple gestures. i know when someone's mean to the barrista at starbucks it affects all the customers that person serves thereafter. so if everyone smiled instead... life would be better. every little thing.. right?
Oh Dj I know that praise is not what you are looking for right now, but you are a wonderful man of God. And if you seek him with all your heart He will continue to shape you exactly the way He wants you to be. It takes the bumps in the road to slow us down and stop us from going the wrong way. Those bumps may hurt a lot sometimes but it is the people around you that love you and want to pick you back up.
Dj you are loved by so many!
"Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that." Ephesians 5:2
Continue to learn to love like Jesus!!!
This post in it self is an amazing example that we can learn from. Thanks for being open and honest for all of us to read. I know that I am blessed to have met you and the impact you have made in my life. I echo what Mike said above and I am sure Paul had his days too. That's why striving after living a Holy Life needs to be an everyday/every moment decision not just a one time deal.
Keep being you DJ, and striving after the man God created you to be.
I think that your heart to hear it and want the change is a great thing.
Yesterday my pastor said something along these lines....
"Love without truth is not true love."
So whoever she is...she loves you by being truthful to you.
DJ - this is why I love you so much, because you are real to the core. I think we are all guilty of being human. You are an incredible person.
We all fail. I can assure you, you are a far better example to me than some other big name (or so they think)photographers. So many of us have just stopped supporting their "products" and their mindset. You are a shining example for Christians and non-Christians alike. You are not afraid to show your vulnerabilities to all the world. That DOES make you special to me. Thanks for all you do.
As I recall you always relish a good quote... this is one that has often reminded me of you:
"...as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."- Marianne Williamson
You are what my grandfather would call "a moon" His goal in life- "to reflect the light of the Son to the world"... I think you do it best in your honesty, when you aren't even trying.
I'm so thankful for people who have the courage to call us out...and even more thankful for the people who show us grace after. It's tough but being stretched is never comfortable is it?... thanks for being real on your blog and not just blogging to good stuff.... well all need more doses of real. Keep trekkin' DJ :)
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
For whom the LORD loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
[Proverbs 4:11-12]
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons;
for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But
if you are without chastening, of which all have become
partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us,
and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily
be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For
they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to
them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of
His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the
present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields
the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been
trained by it.
I like that last part because it's so true: -afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
God bless you! ^_^
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