His Mercy Endures Forever

 (Old School But Worth A Listen)

Mind Surfing

When ever I see a good wave I visualise in my mind how I would surf it. While this can be helpful when in the water it can become a replacement when viewing waves from the shore or even on my computer screen. I begin to evaluate how others surf as I am standing on the shore or the comfort of my desk chair.
This practice takes place in other sports as well. For example football fans who know how to run a football team from their couch instead of the turf. While all this Monday morning quarterbacking or mind surfing seems harmless, the same can take place in our walk with Jesus. Often I talk about sharing Christ with others but find the comfort of our culture an easy hiding place from actually doing it. Or I will encourage others to spend time in devotions but neglect my own time with Jesus.
The turf may be difficult but I need to get off the couch and down onto the field. The water may be cold and the waves a bit big but I need to paddle out if I am going to do more than just mind surf. If I am going to participate in following Jesus I need to put my faith into action. In Philippians 2:12-13 we learn we are to WORK OUT WHAT GOD HAS WORKED IN US.
Following Jesus is an exciting adventure if we are participating instead of spectating.

A Builder Or A Wrecker

As I watched them tear a building down
A gang of men in a busy town
With a ho-heave-ho, and a lusty yell
They swung a beam and the side wall fell

I asked the foreman, "Are these men skilled,
And the men you'd hire if you wanted to build?"
He gave a laugh and said, "No, indeed,
Just common labor is all I need."

"I can easily wreck in a day or two,
What builders have taken years to do."
And I thought to myself, as I went my way
Which of these roles have I tried to play?

Am I a builder who works with care,
Measuring life by rule and square?
Am I shaping my work to a well-made plan
Patiently doing the best I can?

Or am I a wrecker who walks to town
Content with the labor of tearing down?
"O Lord let my life and my labors be
That which will build for eternity!"

-Author Unknown

Remembering To Sit At The Feet Of Jesus

The other day I woke up and reminded myself to spend some time reading my Bible and praying.  Well before I did my phone rang and the doorbell sounded and in what seemed like a moment my whole day was gone and my opportunity to slow down and hear from Jesus was gone....
Has that ever happened to you?
It seems like it happens a lot with me and I don't think it's because I don't have time but because I often don't set my priorities clearly.
Needless to say setting priorities should be a constant task on my list and on top of that list needs to be to quiet my heart and sit at My Lord's feet and enjoy our time together.
Just some important thoughts on a random day.

Earning Our Voice Again

The Church in America has been portrayed negatively by much of the media and Hollywood for some time now. How many times have you observed a news story where some church (cult rather) is picketing a soldiers memorial service and harassing the grieving family during the most difficult time in their life.

In a world where the Christian Gospel is so challenging to the current self-centered attitudes rejection would only seem to be the logical response to concepts of sacrifice and service. And when some in the Church are more known for what they are against rather than the love of God we give those wrestling through such a challenging message reason to reject the Gospel.

But what if The Church renewed their voice through love and kindness again? What if we placed a tremendous emphasis on loving our neighbor as ourselves again? What if we had the goal of bringing the message of Christ to people by earning their time by acts of service and love?  These are questions that should be foremost on our minds during this season of increase skepticism towards The Church and our Lord's Gospel.

I believe we live in a country of great opportunity for the Gospel of Christ. But are we willing to earn the right to be heard? A bullhorn and a Bible are a negative cultural stigma these days.

Let me also give some practice advice....  Often we take the Biblical call for personal holiness as a call towards isolation from the very people Jesus wants us to reach. Personal holiness is a real call, but so is the non-believer who needs to know the door is open and the welcome mat is there to walk across. If they are ever to check out our gatherings they need to understand our love. If they are ever to understand our love they need to get to know us. We can be a friend without comprising the Gospel Message. We can enjoy relationships with non-believers as we seek to build bridges and look for opportunities to be a blessing.