This past year I have written less here than I did the previous year. This is mostly because of all the changes that have taken place at Northern Hills that have placed new demands on me. However, I have been storing up a ton of stuff in the old brain and heart and I am looking forward to engaging more with those who stop by the site.
To that end it seemed like a new design was in order. I created my first ever banner. Now this is not a big of deal for many of you, but it was significant for me. It cost me two bucks for the photo, then I used this. It was a big help for someone like me. I still may experiment with a few things, but I will probably stick with what I have.
The phrase "improvising on the edge of catastrophe" is from the book Founding Brothers. This phrase is used by the author to describe those who were leading during and after the American Revolution. It is probably a really accurate description.
In my mind, the art of improvisation is in no way linked to being lazy or unprepared. I believe that improvisation is indelibly linked to preparedness and passion. The people who are best at improv comedy are usually brilliant, well read, and very very prepared. Beyond making people laugh, those who are well prepared and planned and also passionate about their cause, seem to be able to improvise when life hits, or when the unexpected occurs. They use everything available internally and externally to respond to the situation at hand. The have the ability to improvise in a way that maxes out the present opportunity, or effectively deal with the looming crisis.
I want to be that way for Jesus! I want to be equipped, and planned and prepared. I want to live out my passion for the one who is The Way, The Truth, and The Life! When I am living this way, I am convinced that I am most sensitive to God's leading. Now following this leading looks and feels a whole lot like improvising on the edge of catastrophe. However, the opposite is true because it is really all part of God's design and part of allowing God to be in control.
The best part of this kind of living is that God gets all of the glory!
