Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for October, 2010

Writing Your Own Obituary

Posted in Formation, Leadership on October 12, 2010| Leave a Comment »

I have already mentioned that I had the opportunity to speak to the college students at On Campus last week.  It was a wonderful time and I always love the chance to pour my life into theirs.  One of the things I challenged them to do was to think about their life and the difference they could make in the world – an impact for Christ.

I gave them an assignment and I thought I would give it to you today.

I am asking you to take some time today and give this some thought.  Spend a few minutes thinking about what you would like to see in your obituary.  When someone stands up at your funeral someday, what would you want them to say?

Make a list, a few bullet points, of qualities and accomplishments you would like to read in the paper after your death.

Some of mine include:

  • amazing husband and father
  • passionate Jesus follower
  • visionary
  • honest
  • compassionate

You get the point.  So make your list.

Now look at the list.

Go live that list today.

Read Full Post »

Unified To the Core

Posted in Church, Community, Hope on October 11, 2010| 2 Comments »

Today, my reading was in Romans.  In Romans 15:5-6, Paul encourages followers of the Way – us – by asking God to bless us with a spirit of unity.  Paul realized the importance of getting along.  As a community of believers, we are to be a family who loves one another, who enjoys being together and who takes care of one another.  Stop and think about it; who wants to be a part of a dysfunctional family on purpose?

But Paul goes on to say that the ultimate reason for this unity is what?  That God would be glorified.

The world needs to see a faith community that loves one another and God – not a community of individuals who can’t stand each other.  God is not glorified when we don’t get along.

Paul doesn’t stop with a general statement about unity.  He says that we should glorify God with one heart and one mouth.  This is the part that really caught my attention this morning as I was reading and praying through these two verses.  Paul is pushing for real unity – not just lip service.  Not only are we to be one mouth, but we have to be completely unified – we have to have one heart!

That is really hard in a family of believers.  Sometimes we go along with what is going on and we voice our agreement, but in our hearts, we are not really fully committed to the family.  Paul tells us that for God to be glorified, we need to have one mouth and one heart!

So where do we start?  Today, we start with prayer.  Begin asking God to give you and your faith community a spirit of unity not only in word but in heart.  Ask God to start with you!

Be blessed today!

Read Full Post »

Tow Truck Tow

Posted in Church, Motivational on October 8, 2010| 4 Comments »

Yesterday, I saw an interesting and somewhat comical sight.  As I was traveling down the highway, I passed a tow truck – – – that was being towed by a tow truck.  Had I not been driving down the highway at the time, I would have done my best to get a picture because I found it humorous.

But it got me to thinking.  I wonder how often that happens?  And, what kind of truck does it take to tow a tow truck?

The reality is that tow trucks evidently break down too.

As I drove back to the office, my mind wandered to the similarity of that sight with ministry.  Who does a minister turn to when he or she needs a minister?  There are actually a couple of options when a minister needs a minister, but I bring up the subject for only one reason – and its not a shameless plea for recognition.

Many of you who read my ramblings do not attend my church and so the reason I bring it up is that this is Minister Appreciation Week.  For those of you who appreciate your ministers, I encourage you to think about all that they do for you and your community.  Find a way this week to say thanks – and the best way to do that is to commit to pray for them regularly.

For those of you who attend church where I serve, please know that I feel very appreciated and am happy to serve along side each of you so please don’t take this post as a cry for sympathy or recognition.

The truth is, ministers do what they do because they feel passionate about serving God and others vocationally – but having your support goes a long way!

Have a blessed weekend and tell your minister you appreciate them.

Read Full Post »

It All Comes Back to Godliness

Posted in Formation, Hope, Leadership on October 7, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Last night I had the blessings of speaking to college students at their weekly worship service On Campus.  My topic was a challenge for them to take the reigns of their generation and rise up to make a difference for Jesus in the world.  I used 1 Timothy 4:1-12 as the text.  In this passage of scripture, Paul addresses Timothy, a young follower, and tells him, “don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young.”  He goes on to tell Timothy to live by example.  As I went through this passage with the students, I was reminded that what Paul was telling Timothy was not only good insight for a young person, but it is a challenge for all ages.

In verse 7, Paul says we should train ourselves to be godly.  And then in verse 12 he says this: “set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

If we are to live godly lives, we must do it by example and our godliness should be visible in everything we do – specifically in the way we talk, not only the words we use but how we use them and the attitude behind them.  Our lives should be an example of godliness – the way we live, our priorities and our passions.  The way we love is a reflection of our godliness as well.  Do you love others as Jesus does, or is your love geared more towards what you can get out of the relationship?  Godliness is obvious in where we put our faith.  We can tell people all day long that we are followers of Jesus, but if we put more faith in our money or our own abilities than in Jesus then who are we fooling?  Purity also reflects our godliness.  Are your intentions pure in your dealings with others?  How honest are you as a person?

If we are truly to impact this world with the hope and love that following Jesus has to offer, then we must lead godly lives and our godliness (or lack there of) will be reflected in the way we live.

Live godly today!

Read Full Post »

Keeping a Supply of Milk in the Fridge

Posted in Uncategorized on October 5, 2010| Leave a Comment »

When I went to bed last night there was a half gallon of milk in the refrigerator.  When I got up this morning, there was an empty milk jug on the counter.  Sometime between midnight and 7 am, that milk disappeared.  This is the joy of having three teenage boys at home.  It wouldn’t be so bad except for the chocolate residue in the bottom of a large cup, also sitting on the counter – you would think they would at least hide the evidence.  But it is no secret that milk is an important staple in our home – especially with the occasional addition of some chocolate syrup.

I love having boys.  I love my boys (quickly becoming men).

As a father, part of my job is making sure my boys know I love them.  They need to know that when it seems like  everyone else in the world is against them, they can count on me.  That is the challenge of being a parent.  But I accept that challenge.

How about you?  What are you going to do today to make sure your child has no doubt in her or his mind that you love them?

For me – part of that will be restocking the refrigerator with milk sometime today!

Read Full Post »

Be Still

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope on October 4, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Monday’s are normally busy days for most of us.  We have an entire week in front of us with lots of appointments, tasks and things to get done.

But what if we started this week a little differently?  What if we started this week with a realization that God is in control?  What if we started this week with being still?

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

I want to encourage you, no matter the time of day or even the day of the week in which you are reading this, stop.

Pause right here and be still before God.  Know that God is present.  Know that God cares for you.  Know that God is in control.

Be still.

Read Full Post »

What Kind of Reflection?

Posted in Formation, Leadership, Missions on October 1, 2010| Leave a Comment »

In my reading this morning, I read about Jesus sending his disciples out into the communities to minister and share the good news of hope.  It is remarkable to think that the birth of a movement began in a little known country by a handful of common folks.

What is remarkable about the Christian movement is that it is still dependent on common folks to spread the good news of hope in a world that desperately needs it.

In the midst of my meditation on these thoughts this morning, this verse – Luke 10:16 – stuck out to me and continues to convict me.  I realize that Jesus meant to encourage his followers with what he said – and it does.  But let the weight of the verse fall on you for just a minute – “He who listens to you, listens to me.”

I have to ask myself, “In my daily journey through this life, are the things I say a good reflection on Jesus, or do they hinder more than they help?”

There is great encouragement in Jesus’ words, but don’t miss the implication of great responsibility as well.

As we go through the day today, may this be our prayer: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14)

Be a blessing today!

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts