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Archive for November, 2010

Desperation Leads to Awakening

Posted in Formation, Hope, Missions on November 9, 2010| 1 Comment »

This week, I have the privilege of being at the Baptist state convention meeting.  The meeting is being held in McAllen, Texas.  The last time I was in this part of the world was on a mission trip and I had forgotten just how great it is to be in this part of Texas.

Today, I sat in a workshop being taught by Jim Dennison.  Jim has been a pastor for years and now serves as the Theologian in Residence for the state convention.  His talk was on the power of the Holy Spirit and the spiritual awakening that is going on in the world today.  Unfortunately, this work is not happening to any large degree in North America.  It is all going on south of the equator in places like Africa, Brazil and the rest of South America.

He talked for  quite some time about the four Great Awakenings that have happened over the course of the last 200 years.  One thing I found profoundly interesting is that each great spiritual awakening occurred in the midst of a sense of desperation.

As I have continued to process that thought, I have begun to personalize and internalize it.

I have had to ask myself this question: “How desperate am I for God to move in my life?”

My fear is that I have grown so accustomed to doing things on my own accord and out of my own giftedness, that I have moved away from a dependence on God.

A second question I have been asking myself is this: “What is it in my life that I am attempting to do that I will surely fail if God does not show up?”

I have become convinced that until we are desperate for God to show up – until we are desperate for God to take over – we will not experience a spiritual awakening.

The question for you today is this:  How desperate are you for Jesus to show up and make a difference?

Think about it today.

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As Simple as Peanuts

Posted in Formation, Hope on November 8, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Southwest Airlines has made somewhat of a claim to fame in their offering of peanuts on every flight.  While other airlines were offering a wide variety of things (remember when you used to get actual meals on some flights?), Southwest chose to offer only peanuts.  Now days you can get pretzels too!  But it is still pretty simple.

Maybe they are on to something.  Could it be that simpler is better?  Perhaps in a world of more, more, more we should look for less.

When we really dig down to the basics of faith, it is a simple relationship that matters.  And that relationship is grown and developed by simply spending time with Jesus.  As a fellow follower in the Way, I challenge you this week to do less.  But in your effort to do less, focus your time on the one relationship that makes all the difference.

I pray you have a simple week!

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Sunset From 30,000 Feet

Posted in Missions, Motivational on November 5, 2010| Leave a Comment »

I flew into Los Angeles Wednesday night after a long day of traveling that included a trip to Post, Texas for my aunt’s funeral.  I was exhausted so I did a little reading but that was about it.  As we neared LAX, the sun was setting over the mountains, and in the distance, I could see the Pacific Ocean.  It was a breath taking sight.  I sat there trying to take it all in.  God’s handiwork was amazing and there I was, 30,000 feet above the ground with a box seat.

As I reflected on that later, I realized that just below me were literally millions of people who were missing it.  They were in their cars, bumper to bumper on the 105 creating continuous lines of lights both white and red.  They were stopping by the grocery store or making their way to their favorite restaurant.  They were all busy about their daily lives.  And all the while, I was seeing the most amazing sights.

It dawned on me, that I was seeing God at work and others were missing it.  What would it take for them to see it too?  Really, all it would take is for someone to get their attention and direct it toward the sun.

The apostle Paul addressed this in Romans 10:14 when he said this: How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

It is our duty as followers of the Way to point people to the Son.

How will you carry out your duty today?

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Road Closed – You’re On Your Own

Posted in Hope, Humor on November 4, 2010| 1 Comment »

Yesterday, as I was driving to Post, I saw a rather comical sight.  I was driving down the highway and saw a “Road Closed” sign for a crossroad.  The sign said, “Route 281 Closed, Find Alternate Route.”  Maybe it’s just me but I chuckled when I saw the sign.  Typically, when a road is closed, a detour is offered.

We have all seen signs like, “Highway 6 Closed, Follow Detour,” or something to that effect – but not in this instance.  If I had needed to turn down that crossroad, I would have been up a creek.  Basically, the message was – “We don’t care how you get where you are trying to go but you aren’t going this way.  You’re on your own!  Good luck.”

Aren’t you glad that on the journey to God, the pathway is clear.  If we ever get off track, all we have to do is remember Jesus’ words:  “I am the way . . . no one comes to the Father except by way of me.”  Jesus never said, “Bummer for you – you are on your own” but rather he made statements like: “Come to me” and “follow me.”

Just remember that life is full of curves and ups and downs, but your path is sure as long as you follow Jesus.

Be blessed today!

 

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Loving and Faithful to the End

Posted in Family on November 3, 2010| 4 Comments »

Today is a day of mourning for my family.  My dad was born number six of seven children.  Last year we lost the first of his siblings, an older brother.  Today we bury the youngest – the only girl.  I have the humble privilege of officiating the ceremony and I must say it is an unspeakable honor to stand before my family and lead them to remember the unforgettable life of my aunt.  She fought valiantly for over 10 years.  She fought MS and cancer and never gave up.  She will be missed and the memory of her life and the impact she had will be cherished by all who knew her.

But behind the scenes to the last was my cousin, my aunt’s daughter.  Kim, you are the example of a loving and faithful child.  The way you cared for your mom to the very end put a smile on God’s face.

I can only hope to be a fraction of the person you have been if I am ever faced with that situation.  You are an inspiration!

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The Level of Your Effort

Posted in Formation on November 2, 2010| Leave a Comment »

I finished a book last week entitled Re-Thinking the Church.  In the book, James White takes a look at several areas of the church that need to be evaluated.  He looks at worship and structure and evangelism among others.  He also suggests the need to re-think how we view discipleship.  I agree with most of what he says in the book but one statement he made in the chapter on discipleship has stayed with me and convicted me.  He said that the limiting factor to us becoming like Jesus is the “level of our effort.”

I have made statements like this before so I agree with what White has said.  I am a firm believer that God gives the growth but we have to do our part when it comes to our spiritual progression.  But seeing White’s words hit me between the eyes.  God is willing to give the growth but the actual growth is limited by my lack of effort.

Now this idea can be pushed to the point of a theology of works which Paul directly speaks against through out his writings.  But the point is that if I am going to become more like Jesus in this life, then I must be committed to that cause and put forth the necessary effort to get there.  In my case, that effort will have to include setting aside time daily to spend reading God’s word and praying.  The effort does not come in the reading but in the sacrifice of time.  I definitely have room for improvement!

How about you?  How much effort are you giving in order to become more like Jesus today?

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The Secret to a Long and Happy Marriage

Posted in Formation, Marriage on November 1, 2010| Leave a Comment »

This past weekend, I had the honor of performing a wedding ceremony for a young couple.  The bride is the daughter of some of our dearest friends.  The ceremony was beautiful and the night went well.  But one of the most meaningful experiences of the night was at the reception when the grandparents were given the opportunity to offer some advice as to how to have a long and happy marriage.  Both sets of grandparents have been married 55 years – what an accomplishment!

The best advice I heard was in order to have a long and happy marriage, you have to keep Christ central in your lives and in your relationship.  I believe that is very true and obviously, the grandparents are living proof that it works.

So how do we do that?  Here are some ideas.

The first thing I would say is that God planned marriage as an institution.  That is the way we are wired – for a relationship.  So we are made to desire and need a mate.  However, God also gave us an identity as a person.  So even though God’s plan includes becoming tied to another person, we were never intended to lose our identity through the marriage relationship but rather the relationship should complete our identities.

The second thing I would say is joined to the first – as individuals united by marriage, we can never disregard our own individual faith.  If we ever look to our partner to be the person of faith, then we are hindering our marriage relationship.  We must constantly be growing in our individual faith in order that our faith together as a couple can grow as well.

Once we understand these two principles, then we can do some things together to continue to focus our relationship as a couple on Jesus.

  1. Pray together – set aside time as often as you can to pray together.  Pray for your relationship.  Pray for one another.  Pray for your family.
  2. Worship together – experience times of worship together.  Go to church together.
  3. Study together – read a passage of scripture and talk about it together.  Read a book together and discuss it.
  4. Make time to be together – it is impossible to grow a relationship if we don’t spend time with the other person.  Have dates.

These are just a few suggestions as to how we can make and keep our marriage relationship centered on Jesus.

I must confess, I don’t do a great job of these.  But being a part of the wedding on Saturday reminded me of their importance.  So starting today, I am going to make these things a priority.

Have a great week!

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