Mayan Calendar – Adventure With Brendan

If you haven’t heard, then let me tell you, December 21, 2012, was prophesied to be the day the world ends. Of course if you haven’t heard about the end of the world, and you’re sitting around reading blogs, then well, you are the perfect audience for this message!

The people who have stockpiled their attics or basements with food, bought five generators, filled their bathtubs with water, sharpened their Katanas, and have been watching reruns of Doomsday Preppers on the National Geographic Chanel already know they have plenty to do today (whatever day this happens to be as the end of the world always seems to be coming).

The Mayan calendar ends on the 21 of 2012, which is today, or if by chance the world doesn’t end, yesterday, or depending on when you get around to reading this, last year.

Two years ago on the winter’s solstice I was hiking around the ruins of Tikal, which was once one of the wealthiest Mayan kingdoms. Sadly, their violent culture ended centuries ago.

We’re all going to end up like the Mayans! If not today, or tomorrow, it will happen someday. So, what do we do about this horrible news?

Good news! I’ve got a few ideas. However, this blog might not be the best for the people who have already hunkered down in their Zombie proof shelters.

First: Show your Neighbor some Love! It’s the end of the world and I think now might be the time to knock on their door and invite them over for dinner. This could be a great time to start a new friendship, everyone needs a friend at the end of the world. But heck, if the night’s real bad just remember you wont have to see them tomorrow!

Second: Go play in the snow with some little kids, or puppies, or anything that brings you Joy. Kids seem to be able to find an enormous amount of joy in the smallest things. I can’t think of a better way to spend the last day of the world than hearing the laughter of a little kid.

Third: Find a time during the day to relax. I’ll go on a hike up through the mountains. I know I can’t bring about world peace, but if I find a little peace for myself, maybe I’ll be able to find love and joy a little easier. Besides nothing says Peace to me like the aspens that grow in the Colorado Rockies.

Fourth: When the Zombies are pounding down your door and you’re at your whits end, be Patient. You’ll be fine, their lack of fine motor skills will protect you, but you might need to wait a little for them to stumble out of your house. You really will need patience when hanging out with the little kids (they ask millions of questions and wont hesitate to point out any of your flaws, like the gap you have in your teeth).

Fifth: Go to Walmart and look for the person with the shopping cart that screams “It’s the end of the world and I’m hoarding all of the supplies“, and and surprise them by paying for their stuff. Don’t smirk or laugh at them either. Be Kind, who knows they could share some of their Twinkies with you, oh wait . . . I guess the world is ending.

Sixth: When your neighbors come over for dinner and insist on showing you all of their Amway stuff, find real interest. Show interest in them because that’s what Good people do. Even take the next step and buy a little bit of what they are selling. What could it hurt, the world is ending anyway.

Seventh: You know that friend who you think about every day, don’t give up on them, give them a call. Yes, it’s the end of the world, but that’s the best time to tell someone you still love them. Plus, you might be able to invite them in on some great Amway products. In all honesty, be Faithful to your friends. Tell them you’re thankful for them, even if they haven’t called in ages and sometimes you wish the Zombies would get them first.

Eighth: When you’re scared out of your mind because the Zombies have now broken down your front door and you’re wishing you’d watched Doomsday Preppers, remember that those Zombies have already lost their minds, so be Gentle with them. In their thirst for brains, their wanton hunger has driven out their ability to love. Yes, they want to eat your brain, but just maybe they really need is someone to gently hold their hand and show them compassion.

Ninth and Last: When all of the world has thrown itself into chaos, with looting and killing, drunkenness, partying with no sense of real joy, but of lust and carnal desire, and jealous hatred drives all their actions, show some Self-control. As the world goes to hell, hold back and don’t go with them. Continue to live life differently. It will be worth it in the end.

Because when our world ends or just seems to be falling apart, into evilness, with senseless shootings, there can never be enough people who practice love and joyfulness, find peace, act patiently, show kindness, goodness and gentleness to others, and lastly act with self-control.

Can you find something you are thankful for each day? Can you open yourself to seeing God in your life-not just in the big events-but in the little moments too?

Our lives can get pretty busy with work, family, and friends. Most people are so caught up in their lives that they miss out on the greater adventure that life can become. I think God tugs on our lives each year. He calls us, most of the time very gently, to join him in a grand adventure, which is why every year we make goals to improve our lives. We yearn for more, maybe even for the life God has for us, but often we give up one week in. I think that happens because we are trying to reach these goals alone. So let’s join together in making 2012 a special year. As an online community let’s place God at the center of our lives.

Here is my challenge. Live 2012 Spiritually.

Living Spiritually means listening for God and doing what he asks.

On Christmas Eve I realized I hadn’t really given anything good to half of my family. Fortunately hours before midnight I felt a gentle nudge to challenge my family to keep a daily journal about how they saw God.

For a brief moment I tried to ignore the idea. Nah, too much work. But then it hit me, if I didn’t try this idea I’d never know what God could do with this. So I said yes, drove up to Wal-Mart, fought off the last minute shoppers, picked up six journals, printed out some pictures (that way each journal had a personalized photo for each person), and drove home knowing this gift would be an incredibly hard challenge.

On Christmas Day my family opened up their journals and the idea of challenging everyone to open their eyes to God’s daily activities sprang to life.

This is a challenge my family is taking on together. Now I want to invite you to join in. Say yes to God’s gentle nudge. You will not be alone in this. Together we will make 2012 a different year, a special year. Do you want to go on a grand Adventure? If so, pick up a journal and keep track of how you see God work in your life.

Here is how I am going to do it.

Every day I am going to read the Bible. God is relational and the best way to get to know Him is to read his word.

Every day I am going to write down what I am thankful for. I believe keeping track of what I am thankful for will help me stay focused when times get tough.

Every day I am going to look for ways I’ve been blessed and when I see them I will write it down too. I believe if I am looking for God’s gifts, God will make me a person who is more willing to give and receive blessings.

Every day I am going to recognize God’s presence. He is in the big moments and the little moments. It just takes opening my eyes and looking for him. I will write down what I see in my journal.

Writing all of this down is key. Go grab a journal, it doesn’t have to cost much or be fancy, and start writing. It trains us to look for God and see what He is doing. And at the end of the year we have proof of a life lived with God at the forefront of our every day lives.

Adding these four steps to your already busy life might seem daunting, but when you join in on this adventure you aren’t doing this alone. Through prayer and scripture we will do this together, and as my nearly three year old little niece Addi once said, “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Living Spiritually means saying yes to God. Keep God at the center of your life in 2012 and join us on this adventure.

I helped my dad create facebook.com/livingspiritually and would like you to like the page. When you like the page you will join us in our adventure and have a great way to interact with a broad group of people who have committed to living spiritually. If you are on twitter tweet #livingspiritually2012 to join the conversation about how God is working in our lives.

Happy New Year!

Tag: Mayan Calendar

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