I am guilty!
Just recently I had something come up on the radar that I was not expecting! You know when you are hit with something from out of nowhere! In football this is called a crack-back block!
Well I experienced a crack-back recently when I was told that the person I thought was going to come and be a part of an upcoming ministry event was unable to attend because of some things going on his life.
So how did I react? Let me give you a little hint:
The following is Paul sharing about his disciple Timothy;
“I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”
And guess what, I did not react like Timothy! I am the “everyone” in the above quote of Paul.
I was more concerned about “who” was going to fill the spot.
I close with this prayer request:
Pray for my friend that is walking through this difficult time.
Pray that I will begin to live my life with others being the focus.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
A gift to others this Christmas...one that will last.
With only a few more shopping days until Christmas, I want to challenge us all to get others a gift this Christmas by giving up something we all have been possibly holding onto in our own lives. Below is your shopping guide with step by step instructions in the pursuit of the gift for others...
Step One:
Begin shopping in Matthew 19: 16-22. Read through these verses a few times.
Step Two:
Re-read the verses, exchanging your name with the generic man’s name.
“Now a ___________ came to Jesus...”
insert your name
Step Three
Re-read the text exchanging verse 18 with the following text:
“Which ones?” Jesus replied, “Go to church as much as you can, read the bible when you have time, pray at least during meals and if you have tim before bed, try to love everyone...”
Step Four
Re-read the text exchanging verse 20 with the following text:
“All of these things I have done,” ______________ said. “What else do I lack?”
insert your name
Step Four:
This is the most difficult step. Re-read verse 21, leaving the blank as an open ended question for Jesus to reveal to you.
“If you want to be complete, go, ________________________ and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Explanation for Step Four:
Although Step Four is the most difficult step, it is the step in which the gift for others awaits. You see, many of us are really good at going through the “motions” of being a follower of Jesus. But Jesus did not die on a cross for us to be a “subpar” follower but complete “cross bearers” in making him known in the seeking world around us. But for this to happen we have to give him all of us.
The cost lies within giving up that one thing that you have held onto in your journey with Christ. For the man in the story it was his wealth. It wasn’t that the wealth was a bad thing, but it was the one thing that kept the man from experiencing intimacy with Jesus.
For you and I it is the one thing that keeps us away from the abundant life Jesus refers to in John 10:10. It may be wealth, an idol, fear, etc. But the greatness of the story is that when we give up whatever it is that keeps us from completely following, Jesus’ promise awaits you. He promises in this passage that if we give up whatever keeps us from completely following him, treasure in heaven awaits us.
And just what is that “treasure?” Check out a description of this treasure in Jesus’ words from John 15
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last...” Excerpts from John 15: 7-17
Breaking it down...
In the story of Matthew 19, Jesus is really telling the “man” how he is to be part of the “fruit producing” vine that is referenced in John 15. In being a part of this vine, Jesus promises the man “treasures in heaven” in which we understand that being “forever fruit” in lives of people that will be with us in heaven someday. Sadly, the “man” doesn’t want to surrender his life to Jesus, and walks away sadly.
Step One:
Begin shopping in Matthew 19: 16-22. Read through these verses a few times.
Step Two:
Re-read the verses, exchanging your name with the generic man’s name.
“Now a ___________ came to Jesus...”
insert your name
Step Three
Re-read the text exchanging verse 18 with the following text:
“Which ones?” Jesus replied, “Go to church as much as you can, read the bible when you have time, pray at least during meals and if you have tim before bed, try to love everyone...”
Step Four
Re-read the text exchanging verse 20 with the following text:
“All of these things I have done,” ______________ said. “What else do I lack?”
insert your name
Step Four:
This is the most difficult step. Re-read verse 21, leaving the blank as an open ended question for Jesus to reveal to you.
“If you want to be complete, go, ________________________ and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Explanation for Step Four:
Although Step Four is the most difficult step, it is the step in which the gift for others awaits. You see, many of us are really good at going through the “motions” of being a follower of Jesus. But Jesus did not die on a cross for us to be a “subpar” follower but complete “cross bearers” in making him known in the seeking world around us. But for this to happen we have to give him all of us.
The cost lies within giving up that one thing that you have held onto in your journey with Christ. For the man in the story it was his wealth. It wasn’t that the wealth was a bad thing, but it was the one thing that kept the man from experiencing intimacy with Jesus.
For you and I it is the one thing that keeps us away from the abundant life Jesus refers to in John 10:10. It may be wealth, an idol, fear, etc. But the greatness of the story is that when we give up whatever it is that keeps us from completely following, Jesus’ promise awaits you. He promises in this passage that if we give up whatever keeps us from completely following him, treasure in heaven awaits us.
And just what is that “treasure?” Check out a description of this treasure in Jesus’ words from John 15
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last...” Excerpts from John 15: 7-17
Breaking it down...
In the story of Matthew 19, Jesus is really telling the “man” how he is to be part of the “fruit producing” vine that is referenced in John 15. In being a part of this vine, Jesus promises the man “treasures in heaven” in which we understand that being “forever fruit” in lives of people that will be with us in heaven someday. Sadly, the “man” doesn’t want to surrender his life to Jesus, and walks away sadly.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sam: Jesus' Sermon Illustration to Matthew 5:3
Have you ever read Matthew 5: 3, the preamble of the Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, and left feeling totally disconnected from what Jesus was saying.
Here are the words from the Message Translation for those that have not read Matthew 5: 3:
3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
.
Each time I have read all these they just always have seem backwards...backwards until I met "Sam" for the first time today.
These peculiar words of Christ in Matthew 5 became something I owned when I left Center of Hope today.
Today the staff of Trinity Bible Church, decided to go as an entire team and serve at the Center of Hope in Weatherford. The Center of Hope is an amazing ministry that reaches many people in Parker County. Check out their site, its an great "hands on" ministry to get involved in.
As I was waiting on tables, I met Sam. At first, he is just like everyone else. He was very appreciative and thankful in what the Center of Hope does. Because it was unusually slow, I was able to sit down and begin to chat with Sam. After a few minutes, I learned that "Sam" lives in his car and has several health problems. But the more and more he talked, the more and more God was writing upon my heart that "Sam" knows what it is to depend upon Jesus for every need. I mean, he has no house, poor health, no job, etc. etc. etc. But Sam knows, Jesus much more intimate than I do! Why?
You see, I really do not have to worry about a place to live, my health, my next meal, etc. But at having all, comes at a cost. That cost is learning to be dependent upon myself and not on my Jesus.
Which brings us back to words of Jesus in Matthew 5. Below is my commentary of the Matthew 5:3 after meeting Sam today at Center of Hope.
"So, you say you want to follow me. Well if you do, this is what people look like that have an intimate relationship with me;
'They are poor in the deepest parts of their soul, realizing they have no hope without me. Because of this dependence, they will get to see, truly what is important. Not so much all the stuff that some people hold to, but the closeness of walking with me as they journey through their life. Actually it is a piece of the Kingdom that they will some day live in.'"
After meeting Sam, I now have a greater understand of the words that Jesus spoke in Matthew 5.
Although I have a greater meaning of the words, am I truly ready to live as Sam lives???
Here are the words from the Message Translation for those that have not read Matthew 5: 3:
3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
.
Each time I have read all these they just always have seem backwards...backwards until I met "Sam" for the first time today.
These peculiar words of Christ in Matthew 5 became something I owned when I left Center of Hope today.
Today the staff of Trinity Bible Church, decided to go as an entire team and serve at the Center of Hope in Weatherford. The Center of Hope is an amazing ministry that reaches many people in Parker County. Check out their site, its an great "hands on" ministry to get involved in.
As I was waiting on tables, I met Sam. At first, he is just like everyone else. He was very appreciative and thankful in what the Center of Hope does. Because it was unusually slow, I was able to sit down and begin to chat with Sam. After a few minutes, I learned that "Sam" lives in his car and has several health problems. But the more and more he talked, the more and more God was writing upon my heart that "Sam" knows what it is to depend upon Jesus for every need. I mean, he has no house, poor health, no job, etc. etc. etc. But Sam knows, Jesus much more intimate than I do! Why?
You see, I really do not have to worry about a place to live, my health, my next meal, etc. But at having all, comes at a cost. That cost is learning to be dependent upon myself and not on my Jesus.
Which brings us back to words of Jesus in Matthew 5. Below is my commentary of the Matthew 5:3 after meeting Sam today at Center of Hope.
"So, you say you want to follow me. Well if you do, this is what people look like that have an intimate relationship with me;
'They are poor in the deepest parts of their soul, realizing they have no hope without me. Because of this dependence, they will get to see, truly what is important. Not so much all the stuff that some people hold to, but the closeness of walking with me as they journey through their life. Actually it is a piece of the Kingdom that they will some day live in.'"
After meeting Sam, I now have a greater understand of the words that Jesus spoke in Matthew 5.
Although I have a greater meaning of the words, am I truly ready to live as Sam lives???
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The Christmas of Firsts and the Christmas of Lasts
This hit me today, actually just a few minutes ago while I was sitting here praying! This Christmas will be very different for two reasons! You see, in January we were blessed to receive Ava from Haiti after the earthquake! Although this is Ava’s fourth official Christmas in the sense of being alive on December 25th, this will be her first Christmas in the idea of experiencing all their is to experience! First and foremost a family, a family that loves her and surrounds her with all kinds of expressions of comfort! It will also be the first of Christmas trees, presents, food, the manger scene, Rudolph, Santa, candy canes, Christmas Eve, etc. We cannot wait to experience this with her! It is going to be so huge!
But with that said, it will also be the last Christmas for my very special Pawpaw! You see in the next few days he will pass on to his reward! For the remainder of my life I will not see Pawpaw on December 25th! No more hugs, holding of hands, or his laughter and smile that would brighten the room at Christmas. No more of him slowly opening his Christmas presents with his knife only to patiently fold the paper back into a small pile that could be reused! I will miss this!
Even as I write this, God is speaking peace to my words and thoughts by saying that although it will be his last Christmas here on this planet, it will be his first Christmas among the one that Christmas is all about! How cool is that, to be able to go home during a celebration of Christmas. It will be a true Christmas for him this year! Why? Christmas is simply, “more Christ!” This Christmas he will have more of Christ for Pawpaw than he ever had before!
But with that said, it will also be the last Christmas for my very special Pawpaw! You see in the next few days he will pass on to his reward! For the remainder of my life I will not see Pawpaw on December 25th! No more hugs, holding of hands, or his laughter and smile that would brighten the room at Christmas. No more of him slowly opening his Christmas presents with his knife only to patiently fold the paper back into a small pile that could be reused! I will miss this!
Even as I write this, God is speaking peace to my words and thoughts by saying that although it will be his last Christmas here on this planet, it will be his first Christmas among the one that Christmas is all about! How cool is that, to be able to go home during a celebration of Christmas. It will be a true Christmas for him this year! Why? Christmas is simply, “more Christ!” This Christmas he will have more of Christ for Pawpaw than he ever had before!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
A Christmas Prayer...
God as we anticipate the coming of your Son and the celebration of this time it is so beautiful to think about this separation of our religious duties outlined by rules in which we follow to sustain our relationship with you, rules in which you never intended to show us your love but to show us the dependence we need to have you! God today, may I realize the beauty of this season, not for the hustle and bustle of the running to and fro trying to accomplish that which have been told to accomplish, but purposely slow down anticipating the guest at our house that will arrive on Christmas Eve, the one looking for a place to stay. God may we remember the journey which Joseph and Mary took upon during this time, the obedience that was very costly to their comfort, God may we live out the same obedience that is costly to our comfort for the sake of living out the importance of our journey. God forgive me for making this season about me and the presents and the gifts and forgetting what it truly meant to those surrounding the baby Jesus! Their was a disturbance to their mundane life. They heard the call and followed the star, disobeying Kings and ideals to live out the purpose in which you called each of them to! God I thank you for the slowing down and seeing this today! God thank you for allowing me to see this!
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