An outsider looking in...

Have you ever thought about what it feels like to come into Trinity Bible Church for the first time? Does an "outsider" even know what is going on??? After last night, I have more of an idea!

On Saturday night, I decided to go to my first Catholic Mass. Yes, you heard me right, my first Catholic Mass! Why? Because I had never been to one and second I wanted to know what it was all about! After talking to my friend Jason, a former Catholic, for some direction I was on my way to Catholic Mass.

As any good visitor for the first time, I walked around the room looking for a person to sit by. Eventually, I found a seat. Once seated I pulled out a Starburst candy and received a demeaning look and remark from the lady about eating candy at the service. How was I to know, all "good baptists" always have some candy in their pocket! LOL!

As the service started, I felt completely lost. You could tell that everyone knew what was about to happen and ready for the next series of events to occur. One time I was thought I had it all figured out, so I decided to sing along with them, only to find they had changed verses of songs.

After sitting through my first Catholic Mass, I have come to some conclusions:

1. The world of religions have their/our own set of rules that we play by.

2. Outsiders are expected to conform to the way we do things.

3. It is difficult to be a part of something that has its own set of expectations!

My challenge to us all is to rethink the way we live out our Christ-journey among outsiders, especially on Sunday mornings. Don't expect to think that everyone knows what is going on!

Love is REAL, when LIVED out!

Today as I was traveling back from running some errands in Fort Worth, I saw a guy like this one in a lane across from me. He was holding a sign that said "Hungry! Please Help." As I was sitting a lane across from him, I noticed cars wouldn't even get close to him; they stayed as far away as possible. Seriously there was an opening two car lengths long beside me.

As I was sitting thinking about this "homeless man", I begin to question what would Jesus do in situations like this one. I mean, really what would he do today if he was living out HIS Journey in the 21st Century.

First off, I believe he would have a car. Why? Because he would be a good steward of his time, and walking would take a long time, at least around this area. But, what would he do when he drove by the homeless?

Please respond and make comments to this blog...

The WORSHIP Industry...

Ponder this...

What I GAINED from someone STEALING my IPOD TOUCH!!!!

I know, what a weird title for a devotional, right? Let me explain...

Just recently, I came into the world of the IPOD Touch. What a cool tech tool/toy! Simply put, it is a IPHONE that you cannot talk on, but everything else an IPHONE does the IPOD TOUCH can do.

Anyway, just recently I had it stolen. I don’t know if you have ever had anything stolen from you, but this really bothered me. I mean, REALLY bothered. The moment I realized it was GONE, I quickly became irritated, franticly trying to figure out who had done such a thing. It is funny, the more I became frustrated, the smaller my world became, until this entirely consumed my morning. Seriously, who would steal from me.

But on Sunday, while I was preparing to take a shower, God began to speak to me about the entire STOLEN IPOD TOUCH. I begin to hear the following question in my heart;

“So, John, when are you going to let me in on this part of your life?”

‘Oh, right God! Why didn’t I think of you? You probably know where it is?”

Then I heard the following reply in my spirit...

“No John, this is much more about you than it is a STOLEN IPOD!”

“What? Come on God...how can it be about me?”

Later on, I found myself in Matthew 5: 43-44. This is what it says:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor^[ and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies^[ and pray for those who persecute you,

Wow oh wow, here came the conviction. So, I took the advice of Jesus and begin to pray for this person. For the person that had stolen my IPOD TOUCH. To be honest, at first I didn’t want to at all. But as I continued to pray, my heart begin to soften towards the person that had stolen it. I began to look upon this person, whoever it is, with compassion. Maybe they needed the money. Maybe that are in trouble.

So what did the prayer look like? Something like this;

God, you know that I really liked the IPOD Touch, and you totally know who has it. Right now, I pray for that person. I pray that he/she may find you as they look at the iPOD touch. When they see the scriptures and the pictures, may you show them Your love. God I do not know why they needed to steal it, but they did. If they are in some type of money problem, may you straighten it out. God, forgive me for having a hard heart towards this person!

I know some of you reading this may think it is impossible, but remember the words of Paul as he is chained to the guard... “I can do all things through Christ...who strengthens me.”

A late add...

As I was sitting in our 2.42 Community last night, God begin to reveal more to me about this passage. And I want to leave you with this thought...

Maybe just maybe, this sermon on the mount is not a bunch of good ideas but a key to an inner peace of living a life of a Christ-follower! If we learn to have an inner peace in our journey, then and only then we will be able to reflect a truer image of the PRINCE of PEACE we serve!

Love you all!

John