Monday, November 3, 2014

An Unambitious Loser

Marion, IN - Longtime acquaintances confirmed to reporters this week that local man Taylor A. Frank, an unambitious 23-year-old loser who leads an enjoyable and fulfilling life, still lives in his hometown and has no desire to leave.

Claiming that the aimless slouch has never resided more than four hours from his parents and still hangs out with friends from high school, sources close to Frank reported that the man, who has meaningful, lasting personal relationships and a healthy work-life balance, is an unmotivated washout who’s perfectly comfortable being a nobody for the rest of his life.

“I’ve known Taylor my whole life and he’s a good guy, but it’s pretty pathetic that he’s still living in the same town he grew up in and experiencing a deep sense of personal satisfaction,” childhood friend Josh Randle said of the unaspiring, completely gratified do-nothing. “As soon as Taylor graduated from college, he moved back home and started working at a local church. Now, he’s nearly 24 years old, living in the exact same town he was born in, working at the same small-time job, and is extremely contented in all aspects of his home and professional lives. It’s really sad.”

“I don’t know how anyone could let themselves end up like that,” Randle continued. “But he seems perfectly fine being nothing more than a genuinely happy deadbeat for the rest of his life.”

Former high school classmates confirmed that Frank has seemingly few aspirations in life, citing occasional depressing run-ins with the personally content townie during visits back home, as well as embarrassing Facebook photos in which the smiling dud appears alongside family members whom he sees regularly and appreciates and enjoys close, long-lasting relationships with. Additionally, pointing to the intimate, enduring connections he’s developed with his parents, siblings, neighbors, and local students, sources reported that Frank's life is “pretty humiliating” on multiple levels.

In particular, those familiar with the pitiful man, who is able to afford a comfortable lifestyle without going into debt, confirmed that he resides just ten minutes from the home he grew up in, miles away from anything worthwhile, like high-priced restaurants and booming mega-churches. In fact, sources stated that the pathetic loafer has never had any interest in moving to even a nearby major city, despite the fact that he has nothing better to do than “sit around all day” being an involved member of his community and using his ample free time to follow pursuits that give him genuine pleasure.

Former classmates also confirmed that the underachiever is apparently resigned to going to his little small-time, stable, extremely fulfilling job in town each day and has zero ambitions to leave his position and pursue a more prestigious and soul-crushing career path in a real city.

“I honestly don’t get Taylor—does he even want to get out of that backwater town and try to make something of himself, or does he want to just waste his time feeling pleased with the pace and content of his life and enjoying his existence?” high school friend Bethany Doyle said of the man who gets eight hours of sleep per night and has time after work to see his loved ones and take care of his health. “Everyone else left Marion as soon as possible and is consumed by a deep sense of apprehension about getting ahead, but he’s still hanging around the same places from high school, focusing on the things that matter most to him, and existing as a relaxed, easygoing person who’s fun to be around. I can’t imagine anything sadder than that.”

“It’s almost like he’s saying, ‘I don’t give a care—I just want to be an emotionally stable son and citizen who’s not obsessed with climbing the corporate ladder and impressing complete strangers with my job title,’” Doyle added. “Pathetic.”

According to relatives who moved thousands of miles away and are currently alienated from much of the family, Frank has never once taken a major professional or financial risk, choosing instead to “coast through life” by putting considerable time and effort into his rewarding family life, playing an active role in his five younger siblings' lives, and being sincerely thankful for what he has in this world.

Moreover, several cousins who rely on medication to treat anxiety related to their perceived social status and relative wealth compared to childhood friends confirmed to reporters that Frank is unlikely to change at this point, and may in fact remain a good-natured and highly fulfilled layabout for the rest of his life.

“I’m just glad I got out of there and didn’t end up like Taylor,” said Frank's cousin Jill McDonald, 28, an attorney at a large law firm who hasn’t seen Frank, her closest childhood playmate, for nearly six years. “The last thing I’d ever want is to have a loving family nearby, feel a sense of pleasure when reflecting on my life, and be the big failure that everyone runs into when they visit home once a year for the holidays.”

“Just look at that loser with his contented grin and positive outlook day in and day out,” she added. “The poor guy doesn’t even know how bad he has it.”

[ adapted from the brilliant work of The Onion: America's finest news source in July 2013 ]

Monday, July 14, 2014


Dear Friends,

Over the course of the past two weeks God has been opening my eyes increasingly to the need for me to stay where I am in life and ministry right now.

I value the opportunity (that many of you have been made aware of) that Elevation Church has extended to me by means of the Prodigy Program immensely, and am honored to have even been considered for it.  In addition, however, I understand that success in God's economy means faithfulness not so much to the most attractive or biggest place, but instead simply to where He has called you.

Initially I had no reason to believe that God was not calling me to Elevation.  It made perfect sense.  In the days and weeks that followed my decision, however, God has been opening my eyes to opportunities with people and ministry that are directly in front of me already.  I have come to a personal conviction that leaving these opportunities and these relationships at this time would be less wise than not going to Charlotte.

My conviction to continue to remain faithful where I am currently does not come under pressure from outside sources, but almost entirely from personal heart-searching and reflection.  I just want to honor God and be faithful to fulfill His calling for me.

I'm not sure how significant the collateral damage from this last-minute decision will be either in Charlotte, or where I am here in Indiana.  I know that plans will have to be adjusted both in both places, and I'm obviously unsure as to how that will go.  I am seeking to walk by faith and trust that God has a plan for this and that His purposes are going to be accomplished in full.

I am fully open to talk about this more with you at your personal convenience, if you so desire.  I would love to hear the thoughts of my friends and to dialogue more about this decision whenever you would like or are able.

With Deepest Love and Grace,

Taylor Frank
Ephesians 3:20-21

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Stop asking. Start acting.

Today I asked myself, "When was the last time I got chills reading the Bible?  Is God's Word losing power, or is my heart losing purity?"

We spend so much time asking God to work in our lives, to give us passion, and to set us "on fire"- but there's nothing on God in it!  WE need to do what He requires of US.  WE need to take action. "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded.  Be wretched and mourn and weep.  Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you."  (James 4:8-10, ESV)

BAM.

WE are the problem.  So, let's take action.

Rather than asking God to do stuff today, how 'bout we SHOW Him our desire for His work by confessing sin and pursuing His presence in prayer and meditation on His Word.  For more than six and a half minutes this time.

"You cannot study the Bible diligently and earnestly without being struck by an obvious fact- the whole matter of personal holiness is highly important to God." - A.W. Tozer