Thanking Those Who Lit You Up

It is not a pleasant experience to get into your shower to find out that your hot water heater is not working. I have experienced such a thing. Usually, because the pilot light has gone out. However, once the pilot light has been re-lit, the hot water heater can warm up the water to a shower-taking temperature. It is such a relief to feel the heated water, once again!

People that have had their "pilot light" put out and have turned cold are usually not pleasant to be around. They have lost their "spark" and do not have much ambition. However, once you have that light re-lit by someone, you greatly appreciate what they did for you. That brings us to this week's quote...

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. ~ Albert Schweitzer

Have you had your light go out lately? In the past? Whenever it was, who was it that helped to re-light your fire? Was it someone you know or not? Someone you hear on the radio? A movie you watched? Someone in your family?

Regardless, why not thank them for helping you through your time in a "valley"? Even if it is someone you have never met, try to find a way to say "thank you" for what they did to help relight the fire within you? They would greatly appreciate it, no matter who they are!

Reach out and "thank" someone!

Reaching Out...

Come to the Cross

As there are many benefits to working for the US Postal Service, one of the drawbacks, for those that are carriers, are back problems. My brother-in-law is one such person. He has had back problems for a while now and continues to work for the Postal Service. Carrying the mailbag for a good amount of the work day would create fatigue at the end of each day. It is probably a huge relief to come in from the day and set your bags down. However, you have to turn around and do it all again tomorrow!

Yesterday, we looked at the idea of coming to the cross. When we come to the cross we need to lay our burdens/worries/anxieties down and leave them there. It doesn't matter what our past is like, there is always room for one more. As we look back on this lesson, here are some applications to choose from...

1. Give it up! Each of us have concerns on our plate. You may have started out today with a list "a mile long" of things that you have to get done or are thinking about. Did it make you look forward to the day? Some of the things that are on your list may not be things you can control. Those are areas that we definitely must leave at the Cross for Jesus to take care of. Don't be like the mail carrier and pick it up the next day...leave it at the Cross!
2. After a long time of carrying something we get thirsty. After you've laid your cares/burdens/anxieties down at the Cross, you will need a "break". At this break you can drink...the water of life. As a way to aid in not trying to pick up your baggage again, you need to be in prayer with Him. This will occupy that time that you previously would have used to "carry the baggage". Find something, if not prayer, to occupy your time that helps you spend that time with Him - listen to music, read a book, etc.
3. unLimited Openings! I've had times when I was trying to find a place to eat, just to pull up to one that was very full. The waiting time was over 20 minutes, sometimes an hour. Some of those I waited at, while others I passed by to find another restaurant. That same concept may be what is keeping you from going to the Cross. You think that you are just a number and there isn't room. Friends, that just isn't so. There is UNlimited openings at the Cross...so don't delay...GO!!!

The Cross is a place of rest...where Jesus takes on our sins and burdens, so we don't have to. This week, enjoy rest as you take things and dump them off at the Cross! Enjoy a "lighter" week!

Taking Several Trips to the Cross...

I Give Up!

Most of us have said the words "I give up". You had a task to perform and it became impossible to finish. You worked and worked but couldn't come to a solution. However, you could have been just around the corner of solving the problem or doing something great. But you never will know because you gave up.

It is not simply continuing on that is the real issue, but rather backing up, evaluating the situation and solving the problem. This brings us to this week's quote...

The majority of men meet with failure because of their lack of persistence in creating new plans to take the place of those, which fail. ~ Napoleon Hill

There is nothing wrong with coming up with a wrong answer, as long as, it is not your final answer. This week I was working on my bathroom. I was trying to get the handles off of the shower faucet. I took the set screws out and then expected the handle to just pop off. However, they didn't just pop off. After talking with two different men experienced in the field of "repair", I thought I knew what I needed to do. I tried...nothing going. Finally, they broke free, after a bit of hammering on them. I had to try to do something different than I had been for the plan to work!

I see this as a problem with life as a Christian. We try evangelizing, but no results. We try a time or two more (if you're lucky), still no results. How likely are you to continue on? Probably not very much. Don't think of evangelizing as a "bible study", but rather think of it as any time/way you share Jesus. I challenge you to continue on - but trying different approaches.

Whatever your endeavors, be persistent and evaluate what you did and see how the next one can be even better.

Backing up and looking at where I've been to improve the future...AND working on not "giving up"~

A New Found...House - Acts 2:46

Have I been to your house? If I had I would have seen belongings of yours that were close to you, that describe you, that show what type of person you are. If I haven't and we have met, then I have only seen a very small portion of what reflects who you are.

If you have been to my house you would see things that reflect who I am. You would know what teams I root for and what memorabilia I have that show I like those teams. You may also find out what types of food I prefer. These, among other things, can only be known when you come into my home.

The early church met together in homes. There are a variety of possibilities as to why they did, regardless, we know they did. I think that they grew stronger as a group because they did meet in homes. This is what we looked at yesterday as we looked at Acts 2:46. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

1. When was the last time you had someone over to your house for a social reason? What about a group of people? Whether you have a hobby, like to watch sports, play games, enjoy good food, etc., make it a point to get together with someone, in your home, once a month.
2. Bonds strengthen. Visiting with people in a home environment produces a feeling of comfort and you become closer to that person or group of people. When you visit ask about a person's interest, family, or their past. Trust is greater in a home.
3. Practice Impromptu Invites. Occasionally, invite someone over to your house after an event or on a spur of the moment. It may create a very meaningful memory!
4. Bring in Outsiders. How will your friends/family/neighbors ever get to know your church family if they never go to assembly with you? When you have a gathering made up of church people, invite a few others from outside your church. It may surprise you what friendships evolve through these events.

The early church gained so much from meeting like this . May God give you opportunities to have people into your home as so you can strengthen your friendships!

Welcoming Into My House...

Tomorrow...Where Your Thoughts Take You

Each day we take steps in the journey of life. We often find ourselves at crossroads and have to make a decision. Some decisions have greater effects on our lives than others do. Where we have come has a lot to do with the decisions that we have made in life...If/where we went to school, if/who we married, what job we take, where we live, buy vs. rent, friends we've made, etc.

Where have you come in life? Where have you gone? How have your decisions affected you? Life tends to be a series of choices and you choose based on your thoughts about each choice. This brings us to this week's quote...

You are today where your thoughts have brought you; 

you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.
~ James Allen

Maybe your life has been a storybook...the "happily ever after" type of life. However, most would probably think that wouldn't be the way you describe your life. Some choice along the way could have made it better. You may have a good life and are very content, and that is good. Regardless, the future is still the future and you have the potential to make it whatever you can.

Your tomorrow is based on the choices you make today, reflecting on the thoughts about those choices. Make your tomorrow better than today!

May your thoughts take you to an entirely better place than you have ever been!

Anticipating the future...

A New Found...Distribution - Acts 2:45

We all need things. For optimal living, we need food, water, air, and rest every day. For as long as man has been on this earth, we have needed things.

Those in the "early church" were no different. However, some were without their needs. What did they do? Those with things gave to those without. A great example for us...giving of what we have to those who do not have. Yesterday, we continued with our look at the "early church" and looked at the concept of "distributing to those who have needs". Here are a few applications to choose from to use this week...

1. What is your definition of "poor"? Is a different view from a biblical perspective? The bible does describe "poor" in other ways. Take some time to look up the idea of poor...here are some helps from BibleGateway.com... "poor" a keyword search and "poor" a topical index search (click on either one to go to that particular one).
   
2. Give something away this week. Does someone ask you for something - give it to them. Maybe surprise someone with a "gift" you give them. You could give something as small as a smile or compliment. Something bigger as buying lunch or buying a present. Or, even something bigger than that...you fill in that blank. Just give something of yours away.
3. Share your "story" with someone - how you became a child of God.
   
4. Give yourself to God. You have talents and abilities that are not just "yours" but they are God's that He is letting you use while you're here. Use what He has given you to His glory!
5. Look out for those who are "poor" - those who don't necessarily need money, clothes, etc., but for those who need Jesus!
   

We need (no pun intended) to reprogram our minds to think of needs as more than material. Needs are anything that someone is lacking. So many are lacking a relationship with Jesus - even Christians, sometimes.

Have a great week of open opportunities to share with others!

Looking for opportunities...

Tough Loss

Saturday's game was not what I had envisioned. I was expecting a victory by the Sooners, but it wasn't in the cards this year.

Oh, well, it was a well fought game...and they didn't fall too far in the rankings...still time for them to get back to the championship game!

Rooting them on...