Which Side of the Table Are You? - from the calling of Matthew

"Look over there at that person, can you believe what they are wearing?" This is just a minor comment that can be phrased in a judgmental way, to introduce this writing.

It can be easy to become wrapped up in someone's talk or even your own thoughts. Just as enthusiasm is catchy, negativity is infectious. Complaining about something seems to be ever present in the lives of people.

Are you one that tends to be a victim of the "complaint snowball?" You start off with one thing, but the conversation just keeps going downhill, picking up complaints as well as speed? I know of people who would fall into this category. I've been there at times in my life and been caught up in their snowballs. There are several times that I have not allowed myself to be on the other side of the table in these situations. I complain or gossip instead of thinking what it is like to be in their shoes. As we discussed the calling of Matthew, from 9:9-13, here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

• Envision ~ Imagine what it would be like to hear the comments you are saying. I am sure you've heard negative comments about you. How do they feel? If they are not pleasant, practice the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12 - treat others the way you want to be treated). I hope you do not say to yourself, "I had to hear it, they should too." That is a very petty excuse to put someone down.
• Stop It! ~ When the "complaint snowball" takes off, be aware of it. Also, be the one to stop it. You may not even have to make it a formal, make-the-other-person-feel-bad, stop. Just deflect the conversation to something else. If you feel like sticking up for someone, go ahead and do that. Possibly, just by pointing out something positive, they will get the point (maybe not). I've tried this and had the person say, "But you know, Jarrod, _____" and they just go back to complaining. You may have to be persistent!
• Be Sympathetic ~ It is easy to look on the surface and judge someone. Unfortunately, we are often at a disadvantage about knowing what has happened to them prior to you seeing them. Be it something immediate, like being late, they could have had some real issues that caused them to not show up on time. Maybe cut them some slack before you judge their tardiness.

Take some time to sit on the other side of the table and see what it is like to hear or see the comments, jeers, or looks that come your way.

Now it's your turn...what have you learned from being on the other side of the table?

Biggest Loser: Losing Fear

It's lurking around, keeping you down more than gravity.  A g-force pushing you down that is ever-so-present.  It is fear.  It lurks even in the daylight.  It doesn't have to jump out to scare you anymore, you're already past that point.  You know it is there.  It has encompassed you to the point that you think about it once a day.  What is it for you?  Would you like to be free of that fear?  Would you like to be fear less?

To talk about the possible fears that so many people have would be a writing that would be way too long.  All fears have similarities. They consume.  They errode common sense thinking.  They cause us to tread lightly.  They can be like when you're waiting to cover your ears when a cannon goes off at a game, you don't know when it happens and you try to prepare yourself for that time.

Jesus' followers also were afraid, as we looked at yesterday, when the storm came up while they were on the water.  They panically exclaimed "Lord save us!".  Similarly, in a loud voice, since it was in the midst of the storm, Jesus replied, "Why are you afraid, you of little faith?!"  In the midst of your storms, times of panic, or times of desperation Jesus is calling out to you the same thing.  As we reflect back, here are some applications to choose to use this week...

1. Make a list ~  It is difficult to acknowledge our fears, sometimes.  Writing them down may make it easier to visualize.  Which may make it easier to confront and overcome.
2. Thunder roars while Jesus snores ~ Imagine trying to sleep on a hammock while someone was tossing it back and forth?  I don't know if the storm was that rough, but Jesus was able to sleep in the midst of it.  I find value in the fact that He was able to sleep, which should bring peace to me in my storms that I can "sleep" too.
3. You're not just a "number" ~ We are so valuable to God that He knows the numbers of hairs on our head and our worth is greater than the sparrow (Matthew 10:31).  God finds so much value in you that it "isn't even funny"...afterall, He gave up His son for you.
4. Ever-Present ~ Jesus is always available. He is on call "24/7".  So, "do not let your hearts be troubled" (John 14:1-3) and take advantage of that availability whenever you feel fear weighing you down.

Imagine if mankind lost the poundage of fear?  It would transform a whole nation of people, a whole world for that matter. If you are "overweight" with fear, start walking, towards Him and see the pounds fall off.  Like actual weight-loss, it's easier said than done.  However, the first step to success is taking the first step.

PS: A good book is called "Fearless" by Max Lucado, it recently came out.  Click here to read my review.





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"Fearless" by Max Lucado - Book Review

What do you fear? I am sure it is something...the dark, the unknown, your job security, being buried alive, urban legends, family's well-being, heights, certain bugs/animals, or something totally different.

Fear is practically instilled into us. And we learn other fears along the way. Media has a way of making our fears seem bigger than they should be. Max has come up with a great, current book that challenges us not to be fearful, but Fearless.

Throughout the book, each chapter is filled with a certain area that is something that someone fears. If you are like me, you will find more than one chapter that you find a fear of yours couched in.

Max does a great job of making the idea of fear, and overcoming it, come alive by pointing practical aspects of scriptures. This makes the scriptures be real for people, which helps to apply them.

I was really enjoying the book until I arrived at the chapter about fearing "global calamity". He used Matthew 24 as much of his text for the basis of his teaching. From my study, which many will have differing opinions, I do not see Jesus teaching the "end of times" from this chapter, but rather a "destruction of Jerusalem" warning. I don't point to say that I'm right and he's wrong, but based on my study, I didn't see it as a parallel. However the fact that we do not need to worry about the end is true.

He concludes by reminding us that when we have a faith in Christ and God, we can be Fearless.

There is an "additional chapter" which I would challenge all readers to not skip, as it is inspiring also.

Enjoy Fearless, it was some good food for my soul!