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Archive for January, 2012

More Like Jesus

Posted in Formation on January 9, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Yesterday’s sermon was the beginning of a series we are calling, The Family Resemblance.  Over the next couple of weeks, we will be talking about and thinking through the need for us to look like Jesus.  God calls us to this lofty task and not only that but our world needs us to be the light in a dark place.

As we work through this series, there will be one aspect that remains constant through all of it and that is my challenge to you today.  We must make time to be with Jesus on a daily basis if there is to be any hope of us becoming more like him.

Yesterday, I asked our folks to think about why they decided to follow Jesus in the first place.  You see, most of us go through times on our journey when we lose that original passion and excitement.  If we are to strive to be like Jesus, I believe we must do so out of conviction and commitment but also with passion.

I must confess, as I did to our congregation yesterday, that over the last couple of months, it seems my relationship with Christ has grown stale.  My prayer has become that of the Psalmist who said, “Create in me a pure heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  I long for that passion to follow Jesus.  I desire to be more like him today than I was yesterday.

I invite you to this prayer today as well.

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Constantly Creating

Posted in Formation, Hope on January 5, 2012| Leave a Comment »

As I drove to work this morning, I plugged in and listened to some Gungor.  To be honest, my mind was on the mountain of tasks that this day holds.  So I wasn’t really listening to the words of the song.  But one sentence caught my attention.

Jesus – your the one who saves us – constantly creates us into something new.

Has Jesus saved you?  Is he creating you into something new?

When we turn the control of our lives over to Jesus, he begins his work.  You see, when we make the decision to follow Jesus and his teachings, we don’t automatically and magically become all that God wants for us.  Growing in our relationship with God and as a follower in the Way is a journey – a progression.  But it is constantly happening.

I guess that is the word that stuck out for me this morning – constant.

As I have mused over this little word I have been reminded that the Holy Spirit uses all kinds of things to shape us – to mold us into the people we were created to be in this world.  Think about this – just about everything you do today and everything that you encounter could be meant to be a growing opportunity – a learning experience – a part of the process and progress.

That means that the little inconvenience you experience when the person just drops by to say Hi! and it turns into an unplanned 30 minute interruption may be intended to grow you.  That added task you did not have on your To Do list when you got up this morning is meant as a life lesson.

The key is being sensitive to this process and being willing to be molded.

Years ago, I chose the name of this blog – Clay In The Hands – intentionally.  As a follower of Jesus, we must see ourselves as clay to be shaped.  But dried out clay isn’t pliable – it can’t be shaped.  In order for the artist to be able to turn a lump of clay into something beautiful, the clay must be willing.

Are you willing today to be molded – to be constantly created?

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Who Is Thankful For You?

Posted in Community, Formation on January 4, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Last week I read a question that I have not been able to get out of my head all week.  This was the question:  “Who will praise God for you in 2012?”

I guess I don’t think much about other people praising God for me.  But as I have pondered this question, I have reached the conclusion that I truly hope someone could praise God for me during the coming year.  That would assume that I had followed God’s leadership in serving someone else in some capacity which would result in them stopping to praise God for me.  I hope that my life and actions will impact someone in a positive way in 2012.

But I also realize that it won’t just happen.  I must make it a priority to connect with others.  Each day I must look for opportunities to make a difference.  I firmly believe that God will provide those opportunities.  The key is for me to be sensitive and aware when these divine appointments occur and then be willing to seize the moment.

Are you with me?  Will you join me in making others a priority in your life?

Who will praise God for you in 2012?  Who will thank God for you today?

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