The Insomnia Chronicles

Collide.

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clarification... if needed.

i received an email today from a concerned friend and fellow pastor. he was kind and to-the-point - he chose to email his thoughts rather than leave as a comment or post of his own. cool - very Matthew 18. he had concerns about me having an iPhone and, at the same time, appealing for financial support for our church. so, after reading his email and replying back to him, i thought: "you know what, Chilly, you might need to clear things up for anyone else out there who may be concerned or confused..." -  so, here it goes.

a few months ago, apple (technological geniuses & front-runners in creativity) introduced the world to their new invention:  the iPhone.  i had been studying about this new device and was anxiously awaiting its release and my purchase of it - but then I heard God tell me  "no, not now..." (to read the whole story click here > iPhoney).  so, I submitted, obeyed, and refrained from making the purchase.

2 months went by without me giving it another thought. although, I must admit, when I would see someone with one I would occasionally look too long - ha!

early this month, I was at a dinner for the steering committee for War Week - I have served as a coordinator for this event since it's beginning 8 years ago. I have never received an honorarium for my participation on this team - it is truly an honor -but this year, because I was also speaking for the event, the host pastor (and close friend) desired to bless me and the other guy on the team with the gift of an iPhone.  since he made it possible and desired this for me, and since I did not feel any warning/caution from the Lord, I received it.  AND, I LOVE IT!!

it has made my life so much more efficient - i now have, in the palm of my hand, so many things that I use regularly on my MAC available to me anywhere, anytime! this includes my: calendar, address book, iTunes, videos, photos, google map, youTube, world clock, calculator, notebook, weather watcher, web browser, email accounts, and of course a PHONE!  and, it's all in ONE -- is so amazing and incredibly helpful.

by waiting and trusting/obeying the Lord, I was able to receive this tool with no money out of my pocket. and, since I was already with AT&T and had an extensive plan - it did not increase my monthly bill...

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now, let me say one thing, related to all of this.

a mentality that says church planters, home missionaries  or  others who must live on the support of  other  individuals and churches  should not have anything new or nice is ridiculous.  seems that when most people want to donate to ministries like ours it's because they have junk that they want to get rid of - old equipment, computers, etc - things that cost money to make work.  IF God calls you to invest - don't just give what's easy or costs you nothing - give the best as unto the Lord.

ever watch DANGEROUS CATCH on the discovery channel?  it's heart-stopping and amazing!  they catch tons and tons of crabs in a week or less.  when I was a little kid, I used to go crabbing on vacation at Okracoke Island.  a string, with a big hook and a fish head is all you needed.  we threw it out in the water and slowly pulled it back - often with a crab holding on to it.  we'd get enough for a meal. 
-- my point, can you imagine going to the professional crab fishermen and handing them a rope & fish head? 

we are called to FISH.  and IF there are methods & tools that make us more efficient and effective, we must consider them.  the crab hasn't changed, and it still requires people to catch them, but now we can do it even better - WE MUST.

maybe this makes sense... I hope so.  Ultimately, trust God - obey Him - seek Him FIRST - and these "things" will be added unto you. 

gotta go, my iPhone just told me I have an appointment! 
peace, Chilly

iPhoney... who me?!

yep, i thought about it... a lot. 

too much.

i researched it.  watched the commercials.  studied the specs.

justified the purchase.

then i began rehearsing (with myself) all kinds of hypothetical conversations  where i defend my reasons for owning it. 

others, knowing i'm a mac enthusiast, assumed i would be first to own one.

green light. it's mine.

then came the voice.

nooo... not THE voice! call it the voice of reason, or the voice of the Spirit, or whatever... to me it's THE VOICE.  and, it began asking the questions: "why do you need it again?" ...  "is that really how you should spend 500+ dollars right now?" ...  "did you run this purchase by the Father?"  ...  "where did the desire to own this come from?"  ...  "can it / should it wait?"  ...  "when was the last time you splurged on me instead of on you?" ... gulp.

i have a pretty cool phone already... it works good, has great reception, and has a less expensive monthly plan (for same amount of minutes).

i'm a pastor, church planter, child of God. 

i have a FREE wireless, digital connection with the Almighty that's unlimited & always available.

owning the iPhone, for me, may lead to me becoming an "iPhoney" - trying to live a life beyond His leading.  i might tend to spend too much time with a gadget and less with the creator.

this isn't the first time that mac's little apple logo has hung on "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" for me. and, like other times in the not-too-distant past,  i had picked it of the branch, shined it on my shirt, and lifted it to my lips. 

but this time the THE VOICE overpowered the serpents. and i refused to take a bite. whoa!  so close to finding myself wearing those fig-leaf boxers ... AGAIN!

so, back to the motorola tree! 

for me, it's a matter of obedience & common-sense.