Do More

It seems like most of the time there are two categories which the majority of people are going to fall in to.

1. Those that do most of the work or are very involved
2. Those who hardly do any of the work or are hardly involved

Don’t get me wrong, there are people who fall in the middle. Also these categories will vary from situation to situation. One may be very involved in their job, but not much in the community.
The more one is involved the more they internalize the importance in a situation. I can relate to that in areas I wasn’t passionate about it going in, but once involved and find meaning behind it and then the passion grows.
That brings us to this week’s quote…

Do more than belong: participate.
Do more than care: help.
Do more than believe: practice.
Do more than be fair: be kind.
Do more than forgive: forget.
Do more than dream: work.
By William Arthur Ward

How will you be spurred on to do more in at least one area that you haven’t been involved in? Think of what you will do differently.
Also, leave a comment if you’ve found areas in which you’ve become more involved, even hesitantly, but found benefit once you did become involved.

“That’s Discipleship”

Mentors and Mentored

The 2011 Tulsa Workshop has a thread of unique interest in its format.  Each evening keynoter mentored the following morning keynoter. 

Randy Harris has spent significant time working with Dusty Rush.  Especially blessed is Dusty to have learned about the workings of prayer.  Terry Rush is on staff with Jason Thornton.  They are a part of the Memorial team.  Jason is one of those guys highly skilled in way too many zones.  He is Memorial Drive’s Minister of Connections.  And then, similarly, Rick Atchley worked beside Jonathan Storment at the Hills before the latter moved on to Highland in Abilene.

The older guy/younger guy combination is an illustration of what soul winning is about.  We can chew gum and walk at the same time.  We train others while we are doing His work.  That’s discipleship.

Practice Does Not Always Make Perfect

We have owned our car since it was brand new. We were fortunate enough to purchase a brand new car back in 2003. When we test drove it, it had only 7 miles on it (now it is over 105,000). We bought in November of 2003, so I have been driving it for around 88 months.

I put gas in it 2-4 times a month, aside from trips. On the door of the driver are two buttons. One pulls out to open the trunk and one pushes to release the door to the gas tank.

The other day I was getting gas and pulled the door to the trunk. I probably do this about 50% of the time, especially when I don’t look at it. Part of the issue is that we used to own a car that you pulled to release the door to the gas tank, so I think my mind is stuck on that time in my life.

Eighty-eight months of having the same car and performing the same task (getting gas) and I am STILL getting it wrong much more than I should. One would think that after that long of time, I would have figured it out but I haven’t.

I think about how that can apply to us, as Christians. I have been a Christian for almost 27 years. There are things that I just learned since being a Christian, but I will mess up and stumble. I may also stumble again and again, unfortunately.

The cliché “practice makes perfect” was enlightened to me years ago to indicate that “perfect” practice makes perfect. In other words, we must practice in the correct way to have a habit of doing things right. I, obviously, have not been practicing “perfectly” to get down the habit of properly being able to open the door to the gas tank.

So whenever you see me shut my trunk at a gas pump, laugh to yourself because I probably pulled the trunk lever instead of pushing the gas door lever.

“IF”–You Know a Lot But Without Love

I shared the following in my sermon, and it seems appropriate to share again. In the television series Cheers there was an episode where two characters, Norm and Cliff were having a conversation. Cliff was sharing information about something trivial and Norm turns to him and says, “Cliff, you’re a walking encyclopedia.” Cliff responds, “Thanks, Norm.” Then Norm says, “Unfortunately, you’re a talking encyclopedia.”

Cliff knew a lot and unfortunately he liked to share the information. He didn’t seem to care who was around and if they were even listening. Cliff didn’t have a lot of discretion as to what he would share or how much he would share. Whenever and to whoever were around was his audience.

Sunday, we looked at the first part of the second verse of I Corinthians 13. This section dealt with the “IF” in the sense that one has prophetic powers, understands mysteries, and has all knowledge – all without love – then they are used for nothing. As we reflect on the lesson, here are some applications to choose from to use this week…

• Be Sensitive ~ Each audience that you speak to – formally or informally – is going to be a bit different. Some may soak in everything you say where others are going to soak in a small fraction of what you say. Sharing your faith? Understand that there may be people who do not want to hear much about your faith. Be sensitive to what your audience needs to hear (time and content).
• Be Humble ~ I have completed a few scholastic accomplishments that make me feel like I accomplished something. However, in essence, you have simply completed requirements. No matter what gifts/talents you have, at then end of it all you still possess these talents to the fullest because of God. He gave them to you, so no matter how appealing
• Be Loving ~ Some people may be interested in knowing more about the Son of Christ and want more than others. For the ones who are not quite ready to know about Christ, we need to be alert to give more of him. Keep in mind what people may want to hear and how much of it. Be sensitive and humble in knowing what will make it past the initial passing of information.

When it comes to being loving and sharing information, make sure that there is enough storage. May we impact hundreds over time!

Blue vs. Pink

Practically all of us grew up with the concept of having boys and girls being differentiated by blue and pink. Blue is manly and pink is girly. We even judge on those differentiations, especially for the guy because if he is wearing much pink then there is a stigma attached. However, the same goes, especially for a baby girl, if she is wearing too much blue.

Is it wrong to wear pink for a guy or blue for a girl or is it just different?  With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought this may be a good quote to put out there…

Blue and pink, not wrong, just different.  ~ Emerson Eggerichs, author of “Love and Respect”

To give a brief background on this quote, man and woman are indicated by these two colors. Think that the man hears, sees, and speaks “blue.”  Whereas the woman hears, sees, and speaks “pink.”  This author lists a few examples of phrases we may say that are heard differently.

One example is “I don’t have any clothes to wear.”  If you say that to the blue group, you will get one response (typically – no clothes clean). You say that to the pink group and you will probably get a totally different response (typically – my clothes are outdated, I need new ones).  (If you’ve never heard this concept, ask your significant other and see if their response is anywhere close to the "typical”).

Enjoy your relationship and though we may think differently and react differently, that is what we are…blue and pink, not wrong, just different!

My Valentine’s Day Recommendation for Books for Couples:

Love and Respect – by Emerson Eggerichs

For Women Only & For Men Only – Each by Shaunti Feldhahn

Power of a Praying Wife & Power of a Praying Husband – Each by Stormie Omartian

“IF”…I Speak Not With Love

CRASH, BANG, KAPOW…these are not the most pleasant noises one likes to hear. However, words spoken without love or care come across like this. The tones do not always have to be uncomfortable to have the words be without love.

Speaking to someone in a demeaning way or pretending to like the conversation when you don’t is speaking “not with love.”

Sunday, we looked at the first part of our “IF” series, dealing with relationships. Paul writes in I Corinthians 13 about a few ways we can act that do not show love. We all fall into them from time to time. Here are some applications for you to choose from to use this week…

• Pay Attention ~ Think about how you are speaking to someone. You can probably read it on their face. Do something to make the words most effective.
• They Matter ~ As Christ died for you, He also died for the person you are talking to. Regardless of who they are, they matter! As you are interacting with them, don’t forget their importance!
• Always a Next Time ~ If you blow it in one conversation, remember that there is a next time. Damage may be done, but don’t make it worse, rather see how you can make the future better.

Speaking with love or care can make all the difference to people. It doesn’t matter how great you speak, if done without love it is for nothing!

Believe the Change

Are you discontent? I am not asking if you have a good home, family, or job. I am speaking of a situation in your life, your community, your school, your church, your workplace, your family, etc., that is bothering you to the core. What is it?

To a few of you, this may sound familiar, as the concept comes from a book by Bill Hybels called “Holy Discontent.”

Most of us have something that bothers us on a regular basis. Something that we just cannot shake off. It is on your mind a lot. It may come to your mind on your drive to work or as you scan the headlines on your website of choice or your newspaper. You want to do something about it but do not know how.

The cool thing is that you are the most powerful force to make the change in what you are discontent about. This brings us to this week’s quote…

Within you right now is the power to do things you never dreamed possible. This power becomes available to you just as soon as you can change your beliefs.  ~ Maxwell Maltz

You have a change you want to see. Do you believe you can make a change? You should. Maybe it takes Trump-size funding to complete what you want changed. It is likely you don’t have that type of funds available. However, what can you do with what you do have?

What you do have available to you – a voice, e-mail, time to volunteer, prayer, etc. – use it to make the change and believe you can be the change!