Leap of Faith...It Might Be All You Have

During my early high school years I often had to get a ride home after practices from coaches. They drove right by my house and I was at their mercy regarding when they left and how often they stayed before I was able to go home. My only mode of transportation, due to the circumstances was their vehicle.

For most of my married life we have been a "one car" family. We managed to have one vehicle for several years. In that time there were occasions in which I had to ask people for rides to various places. Because this was not a regular occurence it was not a big deal, but I'm glad it was not an issue we encountered too often. That brings us to this week's quote...

Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith

Sometimes in life one must simply "go for it" to get anywhere. Standing around in life does not enable one to get very far in life. If we all simply sat where we were at, we'd never arrive at where we were going.

We used to have a small black Pomeranian puppy that I can recall being scared to go around a bag of trash because it mostly blocked her way from point A to point B. She would be fidgety about wanting to go past the bag, but she wouldn't just go, initially. She "danced around" gearing herself all up to finally go. When she went, she bolted past the linoleum as fast as she could go.

For our dog, it took that leap of faith to get where she needed to go. Without it, she'd stay where she was at. We are much the same. We need to take a "leap of faith" from time to time. Without it, we's be paralyzed to stay where we were. With a leap of faith, we would see doors open and mountains crossed. What is your "closed door" or "mountain" that you need opened or crossed? Take that "leap" and see what awaits you!

Now it's your turn...what are you going to "leap" over or into?

Won't Take No For an Answer - A message about being persistent in our faith

One of my first "disasters" in preaching school came within the first couple of weeks of school. I was in Old Testament History I with Richard Rogers. At the beginning of the class, he had mentioned that we would be having quizzes on Mondays. The content of the quiz would be made up of last week's material and some of the previous week's material. That would mean you didn't just remember one week's worth of information, but you needed to be ready for the second week, as well. I remember taking the quiz and being frustrated, knowing I didn't fare so well. I was correct, my score - 61% - OUCH! That was terrible! I felt embarrassed and ashamed. However, it caused me to rebound like I never had done prior in all my years of education. From that point on, I either made a perfect or only missed a couple, always getting a score of 98-100%. It took some persistence to make that happen!

There have been times in my life which I had to be persistent in fighting through obstacles to make something happen. The obstacles take the form of many things. However, persistence is the key.

Sunday, we looked at Matthew 15:21-28 and the scene of the persistent Canaanite woman who had a girl who was demon-possessed. As we reflect back on that lesson, here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

• Identifying Him ~ The woman identifies Jesus as "Lord, Son of David" when she approaches Him. How do we identify Jesus when we are talking to Him? Is He our Lord? Is He "Hey, you?" Is He "Jesus" (said in a vain, frustrated tone)? Is He our Savior? Whatever we identify Him as, are we making sure He is priority in our life? That is one of the main factors in how we identify Him.
• Waiting in the Silence ~ One of the most intriguing part of this passage is Jesus' initial response to her plea. His response is silence. Silence is filled with question marks. We may be saying/thinking "Umm, hello...anyone there?" as we wave our hand in front of someone's eyes to see if they are listening. This woman has just come to Jesus with an urgent plea regarding her daughter and he says nothing. Are you good at waiting in the silence? I'm not. As we are waiting, think about this, there may be times in our life that God is delaying our request, rather than denying it. That was powerful to me!
  
• Crumbs of Power ~ Jesus initially is explaining to the woman that Israel (this woman is a Gentile) is the privileged people and should be receiving God's choice benefits. Her reaction entails that she simply wants to receive some of the crumbs. She knows that if she were to have simply a little of Jesus it would be enough to save her daughter. How about you? Are you content with just a little of Jesus or do you need Him to show up "big" before you're content? Crumbs are all we need! Enjoy the crumbs of power through faith!
• Don't Take 'No' For an Answer ~ This woman was not going to let anything become too big of an obstacle to make sure her daughter was healed. We can show those around us how awesome of a God we serve as we are examples of being persistent in our faith. When you see a "no" coming your way, keep praying...you never know what will occur as a result!

Keeping on keeping on is a skill that takes persistence to display itself. It would be a skill that would be beneficial for people to understand when it comes to things of the unknown, like how God responds to us. We are going to receive a lot of "silence" when it comes to asking God for help because we simply cannot hear His voice in the audible form. So as we are waiting, how are we going to respond? What are we going to do when God seems to "show" us that He is responding to our request? May we be consistent and persistent in our requests that we make toward Him.

Now it's your turn...when has persistence in prayer or life paid off? When has it not?

Why Do You Speak in Parables? - A message to demonstrate the importance of using word pictures/illustrations

As my children grow and enter into their various stages, I am continually amazed at how much I take for granted for what I know. It seems that my son who is the oldest, will ask "what does that mean" types of questions. Just recently he wanted to know what it meant for something to "have an advantage." He didn't understand what the word "advantage" meant. It made me stop and think how can I explain it to him. I tried my best.

When it comes to describing things to people or wanting them to understand something more in depth, it is useful to have pictures or at least, word pictures. This helps people to have a further grasp of what you are talking about.

Sunday, we looked at Matthew 13:10-17 where Jesus is asked why He speaks in parables by His disciples. He goes on to explain why. However, what does that mean for us in today's society? Here are some applications for you to choose from to hopefully help with that answer...

• Clarity ~ When someone doesn't understand a point you are trying to make or some part of the point, to use a word picture helps them to grasp your concept, keeping you both on the same page. It is a mute point to not have both on the same point when trying to illustrate. This made me think of our American idioms and how they can be easily mistaken when translated to other languages...know of any?
• Understanding Your Faith ~ Some people may not understand how deep your faith is based on quoting "book-chapter-and-verse" to them from the Bible. They may not even know the characters you may be referencing when telling them about stories. You may have to take a pause and give the characters other names or use other characters to help illustrate. Maybe even use movie/show scenes/characters to help drive home the point. It may take some time...be patient.
• Draw Them In ~ When you've heard or told "ghost stories" you may remeber the use of word pictures. Some words may indicate objects, whereas others, sounds. These help draw the listener in just in time for the punch line and causing a good scare in people. Without them it is like watching a suspense show with no music. Most of you know the Jaws music before the shark attacks. Imagine what it would be like not to hear that. When you use word pictures it helps draw people in and allows them to be more invested in what you are trying to communicate.

It would be to our advantage to use word pictures when trying to illustrate points. Sometimes it may not be able to be used, but other times its use will be helpful. The problem I've ran in to is when I don't know how to explain it another way. It usually marks my comfort level with the word and not knowing anything else.

Now it's your turn...when have you had success/frustration in using illustrations/word pictures?

Do You Believe? - A message that prods how deep your faith goes

Do you believe...in God/Jesus/Holy Spirit? In heaven and hell? That Jesus can make your burdens lighter? God will take care of you? He can heal all diseases? He will forgive ALL your sins (aka you are forgivable)? Someone you know wants to know about Christ? He will show you the way? And the list continues...

Do any of those questions start to step on your "faith toes?" They are ones that I have wrestled with in life. Usually, I guess if I'm wrestling with them, someone else will too.

Sunday, we looked at Matthew 9:27-34 as Jesus was healing two blind men. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

• Blindness ~ I think that any disability/flaw can become numb to the senses. In other words, it may cause us pain, but we become more and more comfortable with it. Maybe it is a chronic pain, over/underweight, disorder, scars, diseases, or disabilities. We can become figuratively blind to various areas in life, which can disable us from seeing the open doors around us to share our faith. Ask Jesus to remove that blindness so you can see the possibilities.
• "Yes, Lord" ~ Not all of life's questions are going to be easy to say "Yes, Lord" when we are posed with the question of "Do you believe I can take care of this?" However, for those hard questions, even if it is answered a bit sheepishly, may we have confidence in Him that He will take care of things and answer, "Yes, Lord."
• Don't Tell Anyone ~ Don't think about pink elephants. I would guess you started thinking about that or something pink or elephants. Jesus told the recipients of this blessing to not tell anyone and they told everyone. I hope you will take the chances to tell others about what Jesus has done for you. They need to have Him too!!!

I shared that sometimes the cross is like the sleigh bell from The Polar Express. The boy, along with some others, had a difficult time hearing it because they didn't believe. I hope that the cross will be come more "audible" to you as you go through life. Whether you need to believe on the tough issues or the easy ones.

Now it's your turn...what have you struggled in "believing?"

Trying To Fit a Square Peg in a Round Hole

There have been a few times in my life that I was working on a project and something started to go wrong. It could have been a screw head was starting to strip to left over parts to pieces not fitting properly. The project may cosmetically look correct, even be structurally sound, but not ideally be put together.

When constructing those projects, frustration followed because of the lack of fluidity in the construction process. Sometimes pushing or pounding harder has been the result. Sometimes these methods worked. Sometimes it made things worse. Sometimes it simply didn't make a difference.

When it comes to some people's religious views and/or their faith, there are instances where they may feel they are putting a square peg in a round hole. They may become frustrated because the square peg doesn't seem to work out the way they think it should. In frustration, they want to keep trying to put that square peg in that round hole. One of three things will happen as a result: 1) The peg will splinter and make it through, 2) the peg will not fit, or 3) the peg will break and splinter but not fit. This is somewhat the result with one's faith, with the analogy of the square peg.

As Sunday's lesson was about Jesus answering the question of John's disciples from Matthew 9:14-17, here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

• Splintered ~ When you are involved in a religious controversy, you may have an inclination to want to be right. If that desire to be "right" becomes too big, you will simply fight and fight so that the result is what you desire. However the result can be a splintering - that of relationships. Causing these relationships with people or God to never be the same. Not good to force an issue...
• Not Fit ~ Trying to force an issue for the sake of getting the issue, and then it never "fitting" will definitely result in failure. When I think of something that should be right but it never fits correctly, I can become pretty frustrated in the moment. Later on I will mellow, but in the moment is a whole different story. As we have the option to be flexible in a situation, may we try not to force things and let God handle the things that we cannot control.
• Break and Splinter ~ Continuing on the thought process, forcing an issue through a round hole may cause the peg to splinter off and break. This will look like someone trying to push their agenda on a particular area and things get worse. The result is detrimental to the individual and many around them. They can force an issue so much this result will cause lots of problem.

May we think about what we are encountering in life as we need to be flexible with the new wine that is added into wine skins - make sure the wine skins are new, as well.

Now it's your turn...What have you encountered that was difficult for someone to remain to be flexible with something new, so they don't have to "burst?"

First Step is the Hardest

As a parent, one of the many fun memories is to have the chance to see your child take their first steps. These are not simply the steps the exact time when they start walking, but even over the following days, weeks, and months. If you've been a parent or guardian of a child you understand my point of view.

However, are these "steps" limited to the one-foot-in-front-of-another kind? I would say "no." There are all kinds of steps a child takes as they grow up. Steps are more than with feet. There are steps to completing a project. Similarly, there are steps a person takes to growing up. Some examples may be feeding oneself, talking, running, going to preschool, playing T-ball, dance recitals, 4H groups, learning the books of the Bible or memory verses, and the list could continue. All these can be exciting and challenging.

In almost all of these steps, the end was not able to be seen because one would not know the extent of the success that may come about in any particular situation when you are at the beginning. However, without taking the first step, the end would never be known. This brings us to this week's quote...

Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King had some good sayings for people to take to heart. Faith is essentially invisible. Whereas the demonstration of faith is tangible. Faith has power, like the wind, but cannot be seen without the effect.

I remember when I was a few months away from graduating from preaching school. I wondered how I was going to be able to do the job which I was being trained to do? As time grew closer, I became more nervous. When the time came for me to take my first job, my thoughts pretty much came true. I was so much more inadequate than I realized. I felt like I was taken out into the country and asked to find my way back.

Today, I am still inadequate, but I have a better grip on things. I rely more on God and less on me. Though I never know what is going to be around each corner, I do not make that a priority. My priority is taking the next step and looking forward to the surprise that God will bring about. (and boy, do I look forward to God's surprises!)

Now it's your turn...what, in your life, do you need to take the first step in faith without seeing the whole staircase?

Stand Up Conversion

Conversion - a word that is often associated with religion. Some may convert to a new team to root for or a new food product to start using. However, I would say that most of the time it is associated with the religious scene.

What was your conversion like? Mine wasn't too exciting. I was too young to have done anything "bad" but knew what I needed to and was persistent about being baptized. Though I hope my "conversion" was before that - not equating it to my salvation.

It is interesting that in the story we looked at on Sunday, three men were able to convert a "god" believer into a "God" believer. Nebuchadnezzar was a king of which thought of himself as the person who was all powerful. He had a statue made, he made the rules, and he was in charge. Power can do that to a person. However, three men showed him that he was not in charge. They didn't bow to the statue, even under threat. They didn't fall. They stood up. Their "stand" caused King Nebuchadnezzar to be "converted." This taken from Daniel 3. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

• Behavior Makes the Difference ~ Being a parent, I am now in the role of showing behavior. I can "tell" behavior, but if it is against what I show, the effect will not carry much weight nor have much of an impact. The same goes for living out our faith. We can say we love God or He is first in our life, but when our peers start seeing that He is actually 2nd, 3rd, or 4th in our lives, over job, family, sports, hobbies, etc. then we are not showing our faith much at all.
• Which "God"? ~ King Nebuchadnezzar challenges the 3 (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) of which god will rescue them? I am sure there have been times in which you have asked that same question. In a bind? Is it the god of self or of Heaven that will get you out of the bind? I am not describing the type of bind where you need to find your keys, but one that is causing your life to fall apart in matters that are just out of your hand. When the 3 were being confronted with the thought of going in the fiery furnace - which god was going to rescue them? Nebuchadnezzar was oblivious to the power of the God of Israel - sometimes we tend to be oblivious too...but He is WAY POWERFUL! Choose Him!
• Second Chance ~ The 3 (mentioned above) were given another opportunity to think about their actions. We have had times in our life in which we think about giving in to the "easy" side. I know I have. But to stay strong is where the rewards will be. The pleasures are just for a season. If the things that go against your faith or cause you to compromise are coming back around for second chances - keep holding them off. It will pass and then you will "win."

To stand up to someone of higher authority or even our friends for what we believe it can take a strong faith. Usually it depends on how close the relationship is or appealing the matter is to you.

In the movie, "Courageous" there is a gentleman who was offered a promotion, but was told to skew the numbers. He knew the benefits of the promotion but also knew his conscience. He chose correctly and was blessed with the promotion.

May we make the right choices in life and possibly cause someone to be "converted" based on standing up for what we know is right!

Now it's your turn...How hard would it be for you to "stand up" to a person/situation?

Dropping the "F-Bomb"

Now that I have your attention, I bet you’re wondering what this article could be about?

You may be saying to yourself, “Surely it is not what I think it is.” And, you’re correct. The point of the phrase in the title is to communicate about a word without having to repeat it. For some, words are repeatable in some places where they are not permitted in others. That is a bit of where we are going.

On more than one occasion I have been challenged with being able to talk to people about where they stand in their Christian walk. Each of us are at a different place, different pace, and different resting points.

I think we all have a tendency to be nervous about talking about our FAITH (that is the “f” word I am alluding to). We may be fearful because we know that when the word “faith” is mentioned, the whole room may go figuratively silent. Making us feel very awkward in the middle of the situation.

“How do I get out of this?” may be what we’re saying to ourselves as we just dropped the “F-bomb” to our friends. Or maybe it is to people we just met and we feel those awkward looks coming at us, piercing into us.

Yes, I’ve been there.

I think that we want so desperately to be the “good Christian” and share our faith that by the time we say it, it may come across as forced. One reason it has become a “bomb” is because of our lack of familiarity in telling people. Walk up to a gathering where something relates to a life situation you’ve been involved in and you can go on for several minutes talking about it. However, because of the awkwardness or anxiousness of not wanting to offend, we cower at the opportunity to talk about our Savior, faith, or our church. May we be challenged to talk about our faith more, so that it doesn’t become awkward to tell someone else about it.

Now it's your turn? What do you think?

Prayer: Where's the Power?

Why pray? That is a question many wrestle with...are you one of them? We feel that sometimes our prayers are just going out into existence and no further. Often we presume that a person who holds those views is a non-Christian. However, even Christians will go through this struggle sometimes.

Maybe that feeling is because we really don't believe that God exists - He might "kind of" exist, but still you're not convinced. Or the feeling comes from lack of any "answered prayers." You've prayed for certain things to happen and they just do not happen the way you want them to turnout.

Those kinds of situations can make it challenging on our faith. It takes some maturing to realize that every prayer is not going to turn out the way you desire it. Instances like that make it challenging to see any power in prayer.

As we ponder the power of prayer, here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

• Examples ~ Ponder or investigate people who have prayed for things to happen (maybe that shouldn't have happened naturally) and they did, seeming like it was a miracle. If you would look into the prayers that have had "miraculous" results, it may convince you into the power of prayer. One biblical example is about King Hezekiah (II Kings 2:1-11) where the sun goes back ten steps...only through God.
• Maturity ~ You pray in instances such as a loved one who is dying, making the final shot, improving your grades, meeting "Mr./Mrs. Right," or the storm to not harm your house and in all the cases they don't turn out the way you want them to. No power in those prayers or possible something else? To see that prayers are not going to always be affirmative takes maturity to realize that. Just because God does not answer the way you would like doesn't mean there is no power in prayer.
• Trust ~ We must trust that God will take our prayers and do with it what He deems best. Cast your cares on Him (Philippians 4:6-7). We also must trust that God's timing is perfect. We sometimes have a difficulty waiting for God to "respond" and we can become frustrated. Let Him work things out...Trust in Him! Lean not on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

There is a lot of power in prayer if we will simply open our minds and eyes to see it! May we see that as we go into our immediate future.

Have a great week!

Continue On

Graduation - such an exciting time of year! One has completed the necessary amount of requirements to receive the desired diploma!

As my family attended the ceremonies yesterday, I couldn't help but think about the time when my children will graduate. Bittersweet will be what I will pre-label it. Even when I was giving my graduation sermon yesterday, I couldn't help but think how hard it will be to preach the weekend my children graduate.

Sunday, we were given the charge to all remember to "continue on with what you've learned and been convinced of," from II Timothy 3:14-15. It was kind of a "mortaring" sermon, in that it is a sermon to just add a little to your foundation of faith. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week.

1. It is fascinating to think that scripture is "God-breathed." To think that all these words were told to these men by God. I envy their ability to be able to have that connection with God...don't you!? However, we forget that we have that a connection with God too, as the Holy Spirit is right here with us at all times. It is an amazing gift - the same Spirit who ascended like a dove, lives inside us! WOW! Praise God today for that gift!

2. I would guess that one universal thing that all receiving this can relate to is dieting. You know what it means to try to resist eating certain foods. Fleeing things that our "individual" flesh finds appealing can be difficult. However, Paul tells Timothy to flee the "youthful passions." Today and/or this week, keep in mind things that are appealing to your "individual" flesh, that is or has potential to be sinful - gossip, imagery, language, television, internet, etc. - and flee from them - followed by a prayer (either for forgiveness of being involved too long or thanksgiving for allowing for the escape).

3. When something is important to you, you will do all you can to make sure that it doesn't leave your possession (even if it is packed away). You may have many Bibles (I just counted 15 that I have in my office), though we have one or more, we must keep in mind the words that are in them and how they provide victory to our lives. Don't ever lose faith in the usefulness of the words in your Bible.

May the things that you learn, from both the spiritual and secular aspect, be building blocks to make you a better servant and disciple of His in the future...Continue On!

“IF”…I Have Great Faith But Not Love

I remember when I was thinking about getting into preaching (which was the furthest from my career-intended mind) I was a bit naïve and ignorant. I didn’t have a clue what all was really involved, and the depth of that involvement. I knew that a preacher preached, worked in an office, married and buried people, visited people, taught classes, and counseled people.

These were many of the descriptions of what a preacher would do. They each took up varied amounts of his week. Many ministers are good at most of the properties and challenged by the rest.

There is a common ingredient that must be interlaced throughout it all, love. If a preacher has an ability to do all of these with great success, but not love, then it does him no good.

Sure, he may be able to externally perform them, but without much love for those who he is ministering to, the tasks are unimportant. That concept works with everyone and how they view love versus the various abilities they possess.

Sunday we looked at how faith without love does not profit us anything. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week…

• “Things” are not important ~ Most of us would like to have more “things” in life. Whether they were material things or abilities/talents. Having all the “things” in the world, but not love is meaningless and we should weigh it as that.
• Worthless is not Worthwhile ~ Though there are good things about having very little as it can humble us. Here being “nothing” is literally that. Being nothing is not of any aim for us. However, that is our destination if we do not have love.

Being able to love can be a tricky process. Taking the “softness” out and keeping it practical in all circles can take some time to understand what love actually entails. What is very important to recognize that no matter what we have or can do, if we don’t have love, it is worthless.

"Location, Location, Location!"

"Location, location, location" is a popular list of three things when it comes to real estate.  People want to live in certain places for certain reasons.  Just like everyone is different, so is everyone's choice of where to live and what makes that place work for them.

Some like the quiet, so they want to live in the country.  Some may like to live near certain businesses for convenience.  Some may want to live near people they already know, possibly family.  Some may want to live away from railroad tracks, schools, or busy streets.  Then there are those that are complete opposites of all these phrases or it doesn't matter where they live.

Wherever you live in a certain place the environment is shaped a certain way.  The number of families with young kids or older kids will affect a neighborhood.  Likewise a neighborhood primarily filled with retired or elderly will affect it also.  However, each neighborhood can be positively or negatively affected by you.  How do you respond?  What happens if you live in a neighborhood you hate...how do you take it upon yourself to make a difference?  Will you use where we live to make a positive difference?

That same challenge is given to us all the time when it comes to reflecting our faith to others.  We are spread out over hundreds of miles each day.  You are at a specific location at all times to be able to make a difference. You are at school, home, downtown, out of your town/community, in a meeting, at work, etc., with an opportunity to make a difference.

Location shouldn't be all that important when it comes to reflecting your faith. Even if you don't like where you are at you should use it to His advantage.  Maybe you don't think about it because life clouds your thinking with other things on your plate, try to change this pattern.  

When you think about "location" don't think about it in terms of "whether or not you like it", but think about it in terms that "I want to be used wherever I'm at".  Believe me, it is very enjoyable to wake up during a moment and realize something is going on around you that you had the opportunity to team up with God to experience.  So, keep in mind your "location, location, location" and allow wherever you're at to glorify God!

Social Bookmarking Links

Motivators...to Keep You Going

It is the time of year for the corn harvest in the Midwest. The problem in the area where I'm at...wetness. It has been just wet enough that farmers have not been able to finish cutting the corn. The anxiousness that must flood the mind of a farmer on a regular basis is beyond my scope of understanding, as I'm not a farmer. With each crop, planting and harvesting, there is the challenge of timing. Following the planting comes the anxiousness of the balance of moisture and sunlight.

When I read this week's quote, I thought of a few different things to start it off with, but my mind kept coming back to the farmer. Here's this week's quote...

Faith and doubt both are needed, not as antagonists, but working side by side to take us around the unknown curve. ~Lillian Smith

Not being a farmer, I am going off of experiences being around farmers. When a farmer goes to plant, with hopes of the upcoming harvest that will take place in a few months, I can't help but to think he has faith and doubt. Faith that the crop will have a high yield and doubt that the weather will be without fail. I'm sure there are other 'faiths' and 'doubts', but either way the farmer keeps forging ahead, year after year, because he's been through it before and it keeps him going to the unknown season that lies ahead.

The same can go for us in life. We have no idea what the day may bring, but we keep going. For someone who sees no hope, you may need to add the faith, for doubt is rampant.

When I travel in the mountains, I can't see where the next town is, generally. I doubt that it is around the next curve, but I have faith it is coming up. It keeps me going!

May faith and doubt be the salt and pepper to keep you going in life!

Why Our Differences Tend to Keep Us Separate

You can talk to some people about all kinds of things, but if you bring up the subject of religion, the conversation slows down or comes to a screeching halt. I don’t know why this idea came to me to write about, as I am not attempting to prove if one church group is right and another is wrong. However, when the idea did come, I thought it may develop into something interesting.

I have been in ministry a relatively short amount of time, entering my ninth year. At my first ministry position, I was not involved in the local Ministerial Alliance. I found a few ways to make my way into the community, but I kept hearing other minister’s names be mentioned with their involvement. Each one of them was a part of the Alliance. I was seeing a degree of value regarding involvement in the Alliance.

At my second ministry position I did get involved with the local Ministerial Alliance. I thoroughly enjoyed the involvement. It allowed me to be more a part of the community. It allowed our church to be visible in the community. So, when I moved here, it was natural for me to be involved with the Alliance, along with other groups.

I say all that to arrive here. Almost all of my growing up, my family or church tended to not be involved with other church denominations. You may have similar experiences during your years of growing up, in the church you attend. You may have grown up knowing about spiritual and pastoral debates, trying to prove who has the handle on a scriptural topic or doctrine. Did any type of unity develop from that or just a greater knowledge of what makes you different?

Somewhere in your church’s history a dividing line was created to cause your church’s name to be put on your building, which differentiates you from the church “down the street”. To some on the extreme side of the spectrum, that means that one cannot fellowship with one who believes any differently. Possibly worse than that is when a church has split and now the groups are “mad” so they can’t talk to each other.

Whatever the reason for the differentiating mark, does that mean we have to be like the Montagues and Capulets when it comes to a spiritual relationship? We might be able to pool our money to share seats at a sporting event, while cheering on the same team, but if it comes to pooling our money for a spiritual event, put on the brakes!

What is the advantage of trying to stay on opposite lines when it comes to working together toward a common goal? One thing I’ve learned, being in the Ministerial Alliance, is that even when you may not agree on every theological point, you can still accomplish some great things! The Alliance is not about a “show-and-tell” of who’s right. We are about collaborating together, in the realm of faith, to bring Christ to the forefront.

The Montagues and the Capulets were bitter rivals. Imagine what might have been accomplished if they would have been able to work together? When we act in this manner, we are creating a “civil war” of sorts. You may have deep beliefs concerning your stance on certain theological issues. I don’t mind if you do. I also hope that you would not let those issues be something that keeps you from being involved with efforts of the churches in our community. After all, bitter rivals put out a lot of effort trying to avoid one another, where nothing gets accomplished. Why not approach the difference in a way that understands there are differences, but greater things can be accomplished working together rather than working against each other.

In November, the Thomas County Ministerial Alliance is hosting a Thanksgiving Service at Frahm Theater. I think this will be an awesome time to come together, expressing our thanks to our Creator. We don’t have to worry about who goes to what church. We have one thing in common, Jesus. Our focus that evening is about being thankful to Jesus.

I still do not know why we tend to be able to talk about so many things except religion. I am learning to talk about it easier with folks that I know differ and not having it come to a halt or move into a debate. I am not right on every point or interpretation of every Bible passage, so that causes me to listen more and talk less.

The concept of not being so separate may be a step for you. You aren’t going to cross the bridge without taking one step at a time. Eventually, you’ll make it over. Eventually, it will become more comfortable. Maybe, eventually, we’ll all be able to live together, talk together, and work together, keeping Jesus in the middle. All the while, letting any concept of “right” be something you reserve for appropriate settings and not allow it to keep us from working together or from being civil to one another. We’ll all find out, one day, who was “right” and who wasn’t. For now, let’s focus on what we have in common, Jesus, and allow that to help us work together, rather than letting differences separate.

Frazzled or Focused?

Been so busy that it caused your mind to be frazzled instead of focused? Ironically, I was there on Sunday. It is funny how things can sometimes work out like that. It was a lesson for me, one I need often. How about you, can you relate?

The times that you were "frazzled" was it because of something you could have prevented? Late for something; could you have left earlier? Weak faith; could you have asked someone for help or to pray for you? Behind on a project; could you have started sooner? Job stress; could you have given it to God? Marriage problems; could you have talked it out? It seems that for just about every "frazzle" moment, there was a point prior that you could have done something to prevent or, at least, lessen the effect it had on your focus. Sunday, we looked at I Peter 1:13 and the phrase "sober minded". See if you've been getting a little "tipsy" with any of these situations...

1. Taking the "drink" of self-righteousness can cause us to become very intoxicated. We become like the Pharisees and cannot see the error in our ways. If it is pointed out by others, we become defensive, much like a drunkard. "I'm not drunk" the drunkard says as he staggers about. The same goes for the those who like to point out the sins/errors and will not acknowledge their own. If you are prone to "put down" before you "praise", you may want to think about sobering up.
   
2. Shooting up with sulk, lately? Felt like everyone's been against you? Doesn't someone "owe" you? Surely if someone doesn't see things your way, they've got to be wrong. Sulking allows Satan to be invited in to your mind. You start thinking that life would be better "if...". You may become short with others. Sometimes taking things out on others when the real problem is what you are "shooting up" with. If you have been shooting up lately, you may want to think about sobering up.
   
3. Been taking too many whiffs of uncertainty to cause you to wobble in your faith? Has it caused you to lose your focus from seeking Him first? Have you kept your composure when someone wronged you? Have you told someone something about the "good news" or been too afraid? Have you had doubts about any part of your faith? Have you been "working" to make sure your salvation is secure instead of appreciating grace? If you have been inhaling these uncertainties, then you are likely wobbling. If you're faith is not giving you a steady step, you may want to think about getting some "fresh" air and sobering up.
   

We operate much better on a clear mind; resulting in better decision making abilities. We must make decisions all the time, regarding our spiritual walk. What do you need to do to sober up or stay sober? I hope any state of "drunkenness" you are/have been experiencing will not keep you from being/becoming "sober". God needs you to be clear headed to be able to have a firm faith and resist the temptations to "drink" that may come our way!

Striving to stay focused...

Doing the Tough Jobs - With Enthusiasm

We all have those jobs we dread. Whether they are jobs that are around the house or at our workplace, we may hold off doing them until we absolutely have to or until someone else does them. Then there are the tough jobs, the ones that seem utterly impossible to accomplish. Sometimes we lump tough jobs in with dreaded jobs. However, they aren't always the case.

Think back to a group of men who were asked to feed all the people who came to the "revival". Jesus said that they were going to feed them. However, the disciples looked around and asked, "How?" Jesus took a boys small bit of food and made more food out of it than what you see at any restaurants buffet, at any given time. The feeding of 5,000 men (plus women and children) seemed impossible. Actually it was. But a miracle happened...which leads us to this week's quote...

When we accept tough jobs as a challenge and wade into them with joy and enthusiasm, miracles can happen. ~ Arland Gilbert

This may be hard to see sometimes because we are clouded by the toughness and overlooking the possibility. Maybe it is tough to get along with someone at work, your spouse, or other family member. Maybe it is tough to share the joy you have in your faith with others. No matter the situation, you look at it with this "we're-going-to-feed-all-these-people-how?" kind of attitude.

May you start looking at more tough jobs with envisioning the outcome instead of seeing it as it is before you tackle the issue. Remember, God makes miracles out of that which is mind-boggling.

Have a "joy and enthusiasm" filled week!

Anxious to see today's "miracle"...

Monday Mentionings: Empty - Words - Job 35:9-16

One week closer…for some it is closer to Spring Break, for others it is closer to Tulsa, for others it may be a simple deadline, for others it is closer to sharing Jesus with someone you’ve been praying/thinking about, or it may not be closer to anything specific. Regardless, the past has gone, the present is here, and the future is to come. What will you do with your future? How will you help someone understand the fullness of God better this week? As we have been looking at the concept of empty, and yesterday, looking at empty words, here are some applications that you can put to use in your life…

1. Have you ever jumped into something that was more shallow than you thought? Whether it was a pool, one of those pits with the colored plastic balls, or a conversation with someone? The result may have been painful. The same result happens when we give in to any empty words of people, especially the ones that affect our faith. Be aware that Satan knows who to send your way and how to affect you. As you go about this week, keep watch for ways in which Satan is trying to get you to “jump in” to something that has no depth!

2. Sports teams, bands, employees of a company all have in common that each person has a particular role. Sports teams have different titles based on where they play on the field/court and their responsibility. A band member has a particular instrument to play to fulfill his part. Employees have specific titles or specialty areas which they are responsible for accomplishing. The Body of Christ has different members that have a particular talent to accomplish great things for God. When Moses got his assignment from God to lead the Israelites out of captivity, he said, “Who should I say sent me?” God’s awesome, straight-to-the-point answer is, “Say, I AM sent me.” As we are out in the world this week, may the words of God encourage us in our own walk to do our part in carrying out God’s plan to save man! How will you team up with the rest of us to do that?

3. On a scale of 1-5, where’s your faith? One being you’re struggling to believe in Him to five being anything God asks you are doing everything you can to push through any uncomfortable feelings to accomplish (be it evangelism or worship style). If you’re not a five, what would it take to get you there? Something from someone else or something that you and God need to work on together – either way, I pray that you will do what you can to move up from where you’re at. Don’t let the noise of the world drown out the voice of God.

People may disappoint us with empty words, but God’s words are so full that they never will!

Hope you have an “open door” week!

Filling up on Him ~

Monday Mentionings: Continuing Education - Hebrews 10:35-39

We concluded our series on Fresh Faith yesterday with the sermon titled, "Continuing Education". If you heard the sermon, did God show up in your life in an unexpected way? Let me know if He did. Just as professionals need to have their education "continued" to keep up with the latest advancements, we too must be continually educated to keep our faith fresh. Here are some applications from the lesson you can choose to use...

1. You probably will always remember the day you "believed". It was probably a day filled with emotion, for you. Did any of that emotion die out? If so, why? The challenge is not to initially believe, but to continue to believe. Just as a runner must lean forward to keep the momentum up, I challenge you to lean forward to Him. Lean forward to allow your momentum to carry you through temptations, hesitations, etc. Maybe you need to lean forward toward a ministry opportunity or an evangelistic opportunity. Whatever it is, keep going forward, don't shrink back! This is what the Hebrew writer challenged in Hebrews 10:35-39.
2. Were you thrown off or surprised to hear that the commands of God do not have an ability to empower us to obey? We may obey by submission or guilt, but just having the commands at our disposal does not cause one to obey. Promises from God inspire you to do what He asks. Look for or recall some of your favorite promises from God, may they inspire you to serve Him more and more! Examples dealing with Promises - the Rainbow/Flood, Never leave or forsake, God is faithful and will forgive us our sins, etc.
3. It is difficult to know what something is when you cannot see it. Whether that "something" is an object or a situation, you just have a difficult time knowing anything about it. Though you don't know what the next few minutes, hours, and/or days will be like, look forward with anticipation regarding how God will use you to impact someone's life. What part of the path to Christ will you be in the people's lives that you meet? Be sure to be stepping stone and not a stumbling stone, to make that path to Christ much easier!
4. Did your week not start off that well? If it didn't you are already at a point where life seems troublesome. May you be encouraged to know that "this is the day that Lord has made" and that heaven is on the other side of whatever life throws at you. We all should thank Him for the day and "rejoice in it" (i.e. being blessed with another day)! (Quotes from Psalm 118:24).

May each experience you have with someone be an opportunity for "continued education" to trust in Him, strengthen your faith, and share Jesus!

May you have a great week - look out for how God will use you to influence someone!

Looking for Him ~

Monday Mentionings: Addition by Subtraction - Proverbs 25:4-5

Don’t you just enjoy it when life delivers good days? The kind where you look forward to the next. Sunday was one of those days. I continue to revel in the fact that Aubrey and I have a child, a son! Sunday was the first day that we were able to show him off to the church family, on a Sunday, which means it was the first day he was able to hear his daddy preach! This, along with our fellowship, started out my day on a good note. Then, hosting the 5th Sunday Rally was a great uplift. It was great to be “fed” by hearing a lesson from Carroll. He encouraged and challenged us to “play hurt”. It is easy for Christians to want to give up, but we must continue to go back out there and “keep playing”.

Adding by subtracting initially can look like it doesn’t go together, but when it comes to our faith it makes sense. Yesterday, we looked at this principle and applied this principle to our faith. Silver must be melted, and remain at that temperature, to bring the impurities to the surface. After the impurities are brought to the surface, they are then skimmed off until no more impurities are left. Our faith must also go through constant heat in order to have our impurities come to the surface, and then have the impurities skimmed off until there are no more left. Here are some additional applications from the lesson to choose from to use…

1. Have you had the heat turned up in your life lately? Problems at work, with family, with finances, with self-esteem? How did you respond in those moments? Did it cause you to turn to God or did it cause you to be independent of His help? May you look to Him the next time life hands you something “hot” and use it to be refined by having your figurative impurities come to the surface so that they can be skimmed off to make you more pure and Christlike. A scripture of encouragement, Acts 14:22 – you will go through many hardships to enter into the kingdom of heaven (paraphrased).
2. It is no fun to carry something heavy without a reason. During one season of a weight loss reality show, the contestants had to carry the amount of weight they had lost as far as they could carry it. Some had lost around 100 lbs. They never thought about carrying that weight when it was attached to their bodies, but when they had lost it, and now had to carry it outside of their bodies, it really weighed them down. The Hebrew writer challenges us to get rid of anything that “entangles” us or “clings to” us. Like an athlete who is trying to get to the finish line as quickly, and, in a way, as easily as possible, he doesn’t need any more weight or resistance to hinder him. If you’ve got extra “weight” then get rid of it, give it to God. This will help us in our pursuit of becoming “refined and purified silver” and to have a fresh faith.
3. There is only one way the silversmith knows that the silver is free of impurities – he can see his own reflection. As you understand that any flecks of slag left in our faith causes us to be “impure”, may we appreciate the need to be “in the heat” in order to have the impurities come to the surface and skim them off so that the reflection of God may be seen in us – that the world may see Jesus, the “refiner and purifier” of our faith (Malachi 3:3), in us! Our faith is added to by subtracting impurities.

May God bless you with an awesome week, filled with many opportunities to reflect Jesus to others!

Being Refined ~

E-mail Encouragement: Coming Alive

Each one of us has interests which excite us. This could range from hobbies to television shows. You "come alive" when you take part in a hobby, and anticipate that excitement when you know you will take part in that hobby in the future. Why is that? As we strive to use our every day life to serve God, in the specific realm of sharing the Good News message, which one of your interests could you use to benefit the Kingdom? As we looked at "Faith on the Move" on Sunday, this quote went along with that...

Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. ~ Howard Thurman

Being "alive" brings a positive energy. If each person used what interested them and found a way to share the Good News at each opportunity, I think the times we met together would take on a different look. Even if you weren't able to use your hobby each week, you would still have an anticipation for that next time. Make a list of your interests and/or hobbies - from favorite television shows to knitting. Then, see how you can use that to God's glory. If it is a TV show, maybe you can invite friends over to watch with you. Or, you can look for a moral principle to discuss with someone you know who has an interest in the same show. If it is going out to eat, you can invite someone to go with you that you haven't been out with before. There are endless possibilities, but the main thing is to be using that time to share Jesus - informally or formally.

What does the world need?...It needs you "coming alive" and going out to spread the Good News! So, what makes you "come alive"? Now that you've answered that, use those answers to His glory!

Making a list ~