Thursday, February 19, 2009

Is it what God wants of us?

I was recently enjoying a cup of coffee with a young man thinking that he wanted to go into ministry vocationally. During the course of our conversation, he said, "I just want to minister by way of status quo!"

After that statement, we began to talk about what that means. He defined it as just staying calm, not making waves and by all means, "don't rock the boat." That alarmed me. When I heard this, I had to ask if that is what God wants us to do? Is that how He intends us do do ministry? I don't see that as the example that He gave while Jesus walked on the earth. Jesus encountered the culture head on and as the term today is..."up in their grille". Jesus was direct, concern and definitely had compassion but was not satisfied with "status quo". Jesus took on issues, matters of concern and needs head on and made sure that the TRUTH was known and that His Words were of substance and impactful.

By the time we finished our coffee, I had shared my concern with that kind of approach to ministry. I don't believe God desires for us to me living a life that is "status quo." He deliberately and intentionally saved me from an eternity separated from Him in hell. That's not status quo. He clothes me with His Son's Righteousness. That's not status quo. He has promised me a life in eternity spent with Him. That's not status quo. That is more than I deserve and also more than I can imagine.

Status quo, that's not what I want. That's not how I want to live.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

He is so AWESOME!

I was sitting here at my desk working on a message for tomorrow night when the simple truth that GOD is so AWESOME came over me. This caused me to stop and reflect on HIS absolute power, knowledge, control and purpose in my life.

Although I know this about HIM, I tend to sink into my own self and slop around in the messes in my life and forget about HIM. YAHWEH, He cares about Shack! He cares about my pains, my hurts, my disappointments and my pity parties. He cares so much though, that He wants to changes them from about me to what He can do in and through my circumstances, problems and let downs. He wants me to just completely surrender it all to HIM and allow HIM to control and direct my life, my plans and my situations.

Hard to say and apply, "It's not all about me!" "It's all about HIM!"


Remember that HE made me in HIS IMAGE...not an accident, not a mistake, not a insignificant person, MADE IN HIS IMAGE and then NOW, clothed in HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS! What a POWERFUL and AWESOME GOD! I am thrilled that HE is concerned with me and love me despite myself.

My prayer for you, that you would see HIM for who He is and make a choice to deliberately abandon yourself to HIM and HIS purpose and plan for your life as well!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

I've Learned....

Some thoughts to think about that were written by Andy Rooney. Enjoy.......

I've learned....That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
I've learned....That when you're in love, it shows.
I've learned....That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.
I've learned....That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
I've learned....That being kind is more important than being right.
I've learned....That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
I've learned....That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.
I've learned....That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
I've learned....That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
I've learned....That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
I've learned....That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I've learned....That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
I've learned....That money doesn't buy class.
I've learned....That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular
I've learned....That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I've learned....That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I've learned....That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
I've learned....That love, not time, heals all wounds.
I've learned....That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
I've learned....That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
I've learned....That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
I've learned....That life is tough, but I'm tougher.
I've learned....That opportunities are never lost, someone will take the ones you miss.
I've learned .....That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere. I've learned....That I wish I could have told my Mom and Dad that I loved them one more time before they passed away.
I've learned....That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
I've learned....That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I've learned....That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.
I've learned....That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.
I've learned....That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

Mine to add...
I've learned....THAT GOD HAS ALL THINGS IN HIS CONTROL FOR HIS GLORY!!!!