ir a principal |
Ir a lateral
I'm a _____________________ (fill in the blank). Everybody's answer may be a little different. Maybe you would fill in the blank with something like this; mom, factory worker, security guard, teacher, dad, carpenter, doctor, secretary, banker, landscaper, business owner, etc.... Those are great answers. Each of us could be described by who we are. But what about what we do? I spent 3 years in construction as a bricklayer but when I went home at night after a long day of work I wasn't a bricklayer, I was Mark; husband, Christian. Laying brick was what I did for a living, it didn't define my life. My life's purpose was and is much more significant than a 40 hour per week construction job. My life, like yours, is more than a job title and a paycheck. We have a purpose!
I have a friend back in St. Louis who is a plumber. We were born on exactly the same day, in exactly the same year; November 23, 1974. Brian is a plumber not because he has a business card that says it, but because he works on plumbing, everyday. He understands that it's not just enough to have the title of plumber, but he has to be actively involved in doing the work.
As a culture, we tend to thrive on the significance of titles. For example, you would much rather be called a Sanitation Engineer than to be called a Garbage Man. But there is a title that many use that is very significant although I think we've lost it's significance; Christian. We freely proclaim "I am a Christian", but what about what we do? You've likely heard the this old statement in the past but it's worth repeating. If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Would people say, "They are constantly showing people love. They are considering others before themselves. They are always looking for opportunities to share the hope of Jesus with others. They genuinely love others!" What would people say about you? I am often reminded that I can't just say I'm a Christian, I have to live it.
Today's a great day to self evaluate our lives and see what things we can continue to grow and improve in. Open the Word of God, it's filled with great instruction for your life!
Unless you live under a rock (a HUGE rock) you know that the kick-off to the football season is just around the corner. Another year for your team to take the field, continue last years success, or fix last years failures. As fans we tend to have a very one dimensional view of the game. When we go to the game or tune in on T.V. we automatically focus on that moment, the offense, the defense, the big play, and hopefully the imminent victory. At most we spend a few hours during the week thinking about the roster, this years potential, or just casually talking about this weeks game over a cup of coffee with a friend. Ultimately the game becomes the primary focus of the fan.
But the result of the game really isn't decided on the field standing opposite the opponent. The result of the game was determined, days, weeks, months before the first minute ticked off in an official game. Before the first snap of the ball individual players prepared themselves physically, mentally, emotionally for the challenges they will face. Because the player knows that the win is determined by how well they have prepared in training camp before the first game. They know their opponent, they prepare a game plan, and they set out to win.
In my life as a Christian I've found I too have an opponent. 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith...(NIV)" The most foolish thing I can do is think that in my confrontations with him, I can be lazy about my preparation and still win. I can't just step onto the field unconditioned and unprepared or I'm going to get sacked. There are a lot of analogies in football such as, "Defense wins games", or "Offense wins games." I think it takes both. Most Christians only function in a defensive mode; we just want to survive the attack. But I believe that God intended for us to have a good offense as well. He didn't intend for us just to survive, he wants to attack and win! The only way you and I can ever develop a powerful offense and defense is by going to spiritual training camp; a.k.a. our daily alone time with God. It only happens when we open up the play book (the Bible) and get clear instruction from the coach (GOD). How you train in private will determine whether or not you win long before you ever face your spiritual opponent.
Do you want to the win instead of just survive? Train. Prepare. Expect your opponent. It's time for Christians to develop a powerful Holy Spirit offense!
"Lord.....help us prepare for our opponent.....teach through your Word and empower us through our prayers.....and may we experience huge victories because of your faithfulness. AMEN!"
I am amazed at just how busy life can get sometimes. We spend most of April, May, and June running most nights either to Lauren's soccer game or Jonathan's baseball games. Add that to all the other stuff, and it all = busy. I have to admit that it's hard for me sometimes to relax. I am so used to being busy, that in those moments when I'm not I feel distracted, anxious, lazy, or like I should be doing something. It's just so difficult to relax!
A word that is used in the Bible to convey this idea of relaxing is the word "abide". In the New King James Version of the Bible, the word abide is used over and over in John 15. For example: "Abide in Me, and I in you" , "He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit" , "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" , "abide in My love." But what does it mean to abide? The word "abide" as used in John 15 is defined as "working to full capacity in a relaxed state of faith." The ability to rest and relax is an area that most Christians struggle in. We have a hard time finding the balance between two things; doing our part and keeping our hands off God's part. And if we fail to balance this we end up trying to "make it happen." I know this is a tough balance......because I struggle with it as well on a daily, hourly, minute-by-minute basis.
Faith allows us to relax, trust, and exhale from the busyness. Faith turns the time table completely over to God. Think about the definition of abide again, "working to full capacity in a relaxed state of faith." Does your life look like this? Some days it does, but others I fail miserably. This week, would you pray that God would help me to relax; to help me live the definition of abide? And I will do the same for you. And this week, we can work toward this together.
"God.....give me mental peace this week.....help me learn how to abide in you.....and in the quiet times, help me just to relax.....AMEN!"
Throughout my childhood we have several different pets living out in the country. I can remember many different cats that would show up on the door step and we would become their source of food. I can also remember a few dogs we had; a Beagle, a Collie, and a miniature Collie. I was not stranger to farm animals either. I can't remember a time when we didn't have one or two cows in the field next to the house and for a while pigs out by the barn. But we didn't name those, because somehow they would end up in the freezer! (sorry vegetarians!) Needless to say, none of my pets as a child were pure-blooded anything. They were all mix breeds or mutts. I know some people spend a small fortune for pure-blooded dogs or cats. And the price is much higher for certain breeds than others. It is the purity of the breed that most will pay big dollars for.
In the past few years whole foods have become the cultural rage. We crave purity; our bodies want pure air and pure bottled water. Whole foods supermarkets have popped up everywhere, making billions providing foods that are free from preservatives and additives. (They should be called Whole Paycheck stores due to the cost.) But we crave purity. But what about spiritual purity? Do we desire to be pure; to rid ourselves of all the possible contaminants in our lives that dilute our faith?
One author defined spiritual purity this way. Purity refers to the inward control of fleshly lusts, thoughts and actions. It means "unmixed," a state of being without compromise. It means "uncontaminated," free from outside corruption. Now here's the question, does that describe your life? (Ouch!) Some days, I get this right and other days I fail miserably. But I've realized perfection isn't the goal, obedience to God's Word and instruction is. And if I strive to focus on those things, purity will become a natural byproduct of that effort. It is our intentional actions that will produce purity with God's help!
"Lord, help us to free ourselves of anything that contaminates our lives....Inspect our lives and show us any area where we need to clean house....Then help us intentionally take action to obey your Word and focus on your instruction to us...AMEN!"
Summer has arrived! (ok, well at least it's June) The kids just got out of school this past Thursday so this is my first day home with them (Monday is typically my day off since Sunday is definately a work day). We just set up a basketball goal over the weekend so I have a feeling we'll be playing some basketball today. It's fun though, and I enjoy it. Jonathan is turning 11 years old on Wednesday the 17th, so I know I better take advantage of all the years possible when he still wants to be seen with me. Ha. ha.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is a time for every season under heaven." If you live in Green Bay, you very thankful for any season that brings the temperature above 65 degree's. Just in the almost 3 years I've lived here, it has become very clear that summer is anticipated and celebrated. People have many different activities for summer. From the common ones like vacations and visits with family to culture specific "trip to the cabin." Summer is short and everyone tries to squeeze as much out of it as possible.
The challenge for everyone is to not allow the "season" to place our faith on hold. How do you think Jesus would have responded it the disciples said, "Hey Jesus, it's summer and we're not going to be able to follow you for the next 3 months. We'll hook back up with you in September!" I've heard a statement in the past few weeks that really stuck with me and I've repeated it several times. It's this, "It's not the evil things in life that derail our relationship with God, it's the other things." Very simply, it's not always bad things that get us off track in our relationship with God, sometimes it's good things. But we have to realize that good things can get in the way of the great God has for our lives.
Take this summer to rest, renew, and recharge. But realize that doesn't mean unplugging from God. Stay faithful to your commitments; church, service, tithe, relationships. Because when the summer is over, it's still your church family who will be waiting to spend the next 9 months with you!
Have a great summer!!!
I think I was born with some sort of car gene. I have loved cars of all kinds since I was barely old enough to drive. I can remember looking at car magazines and advertisements beginning by age 12. With cars in my blood, it was inevitable that I would eventually become a fan of NASCAR. I guess I started watching sometime in the late 90's and I've been to several races over the years. The biggest race was the 2005 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis when Tony Stewart won his first Indy race; it was awesome (understatement!!!!!)! Just a few months later in I was privileged to do the Richard Petty Experience. This is where they strap you into a race car, by yourself, and let you go crazy around the track. I ran 30 laps at Gateway International Raceway in St. Louis and hit a top speed of 127 mph. (I'm geekin' out just thinking about it!) Even though I wouldn't consider myself a race "fanatic", I've experienced my fair share of ridicule for being a race fan. The most typical statement is, "It's just cars making lefthand turns and going in circles for 4 hours." My typical response is, "So!"
Do you want to know what's funny? I've known people who's lives resembled a NASCAR race, because ultimately their life was just going in circles. They didn't have a predetermined destination and at the end of the day they realized it was a day filled with unconscious lefthand turns that got them no where. It happens everyday; people laying in a hospital bed preparing to die when they begin to analyze their lives only to realize their life consisted of a number of years, but they never really lived!
So where do you want your life to be 5, 10, 25 years from now? What's stopping you from setting a course for that destination? Step 1, ask God where he wants your life to be. Step 2, make the necessary changes to start down that path. Step 3, consult God along the way and enjoy the journey! Quit going in circles and start living!
"Lord, help me quit going in circles....show me your plan for my life....help me reset my life course.....and go along with me on the journey! AMEN!"
The other day I spent a few hours watching the end of a Cardinal's baseball game on T.V. (they lost unfortunately). Since I don't always get to watch the game I have the final score of each game texted to my phone. Well, the game ended, and in the few minutes that followed Tricia and I were talking and I gave her a hug (I love my wife so I try to do that often). During our hug, my phone made the sound that lets me know I have a new text message. I proceeded to release from the hug and reach into my pocket for my phone to read that new text. I thought the hug was over, but according to my wife, it wasn't. And further more, she was none too pleased to feel like that text message was more important than her. Don't get me wrong, she didn't make me sleep on the couch or anything, but it made me think about something.
We respond quickly to a lot of things in life; screaming kid, screaming boss, screaming driver! My response to the text message was an example of that. But what if we responded to God as quickly as we do to other things? What if God sent you a text message? What if we didn't even read it for several hours, then once we do we realize it was time sensitive material?
Listen, God does send text messages......it's called the Bible! It's filled with messages for your life. All you have to do is read it. Just think what would happen in your life if God's Word, his text messages, were as important to you as the baseball game score or a message from a friend. I can promise you, the more you read God's messages, the more your life will change....for the better!
Note: Listen to Pastor Aaron's message (week 4) on how God communicates to us through the Bible. You'll learn some great practical ways to grow by reading God's Word.
I'm a _____________________ (fill in the blank). Everybody's answer may be a little different. Maybe you would fill in the blank with something like this; mom, factory worker, security guard, teacher, dad, carpenter, doctor, secretary, banker, landscaper, business owner, etc.... Those are great answers. Each of us could be described by who we are. But what about what we do? I spent 3 years in construction as a bricklayer but when I went home at night after a long day of work I wasn't a bricklayer, I was Mark; husband, Christian. Laying brick was what I did for a living, it didn't define my life. My life's purpose was and is much more significant than a 40 hour per week construction job. My life, like yours, is more than a job title and a paycheck. We have a purpose!
