Remain in Me

Good morning!

This Christmas is taking on a whole new meaning for me this year. I mentioned it in my message on Sunday that I always approach Christmas and this holy season with the best of intentions. I want to give more of myself. I desire to experience hope, peace, joy, and love on a deeper level. But I find that I get swept up in the current of the manic activity this season has to offer in our world. This Christmas things will be different and I refuse to wait until next year!

In order for this season to remain holy, for that matter, our lives to remain holy, we need to be intertwined with the presence of our holy God. Usually, I use the word "connected". But that word does not seem to go as deep as I'd like. If I am connected to something, I can become easily disconnected. However, if I am intertwined with something or someone, it is hard to unravel.

In my morning devotion today, I was reminded of the Scripture of John 15 when Jesus kept saying, "Remain in me...". This is more than being connected...it is living and breathing in Jesus. It means that He wants me to be so intertwined with Him that His will becomes my will...His way of loving becomes my way of loving...His way of living becomes my way of living. I encourage you to read the entire chapter and go deeper with Jesus and His timeless truth.

In that devotion, a quote from Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity was shared. The quote speaks of the work the Lord is doing in my life this Christmas. "Remain in Me, not for a few moments, a few hours which must pass away, but remain, permanently, habitually, Remain in Me, pray in Me, adore in Me, love in Me, suffer in Me, work and act in Me. Remain in Me so that you may be able to encounter anyone or anything; penetrate further still into these depths. This is truly the solitude into which God wants to allure the soul that He may speak to it, as the prophet sang."

Allow this Christmas season to be God's call to bring you back into a deep relationship with Him. Allow this season to remind you of the perfect gift that comes in the form of a little baby - not the one you buy on the shelf. Allow this season to inspire you to remain in Jesus...not only this season but throughout the year.

Gracious God, Loving Lord, thank You for Your presence with me as I make my journey to the manger this Christmas season. Forgive me for what I have made of this season...for connecting and disconnecting with You as I do the lights on my Christmas tree. Thank You for calling me back to You and wanting to live deeply with me. My heart's desire is to remain in You. Give me the will to go deeper and the strength to endure. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Thanksgiving Quotes

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I would share some quotes that honor this season of giving thanks.


"Would you know who is the greatest saint in the world: It is not he who prays most or fasts most, it is not he who gives most alms or is most eminent for temperance, chastity, or justice; but it is he who is always thankful to God, who wills everything that God wills, who receives everything as an instance of God's goodness and has a heart always ready to praise God for it." William Law


"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice." Meister Eckhart


"We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts. How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little things?" Dietrich Bonhoeffer


"Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice. I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are still steeped in hurt and resentment. It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of a complaint. I can choose to be grateful when I am criticized, even when my heart still responds in bitterness. I can choose to
speak about goodness and beauty, even when my inner eye still looks for someone to accuse or something to call ugly." Henri Nouwen


"If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled." Charles
Haddon Spurgeon


"When we were children, we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?" G.K. Chesterton


"What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?"


Thank you God for being You. Thank you for the blessings, great and small, in my life and for the love with which you have surrounded me through Your presence and the presence of those who love me. Thank you for even the difficult times that shape me and remind me of my need for You. May my heart give thanks to you with every breath I take. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Fearful or Fearless?

Good evening,

I wanted to take a moment to share with all of you the story of Gideon in Judges 6 and 7. It keeps coming to me in certain moments in my life over the past few weeks and it is having a profound impact my outlook on life and ministry. If you are not familiar with the story of Gideon, let me briefly share with you. Gideon was a timid man who was called by God to save Israel from their idol worship and from the Midianites. Gideon was not sure how God wanted to use him, but he was a man of faith and he wanted to be sure that God was leading him. God assured Gideon that he was the man for the job.

To make a long story short (and I encourage you to read the story), when Gideon was to come up against the Midianites he had an army of over 32,000 men. A rather formidable army. But God saw fear in the men of the army and God told Gideon to get rid of the men who were afraid. Gideon told those who were afraid to go home, so 22,000 men left...too afraid to fight. Fear defined their legacy.

God told Gideon that his army was still too big so Gideon looked for the men who were focused and carried themselves with a sense of purpose. The other men he told to go home...that was 10,000 men. This left Gideon with an army of only 300 men to fight the Midianite army! What would you say the odds of them being victorious would be? Isn't it like God to defy the odds and use what seems like scarce resources to bring about incredible victory? 300 men was enough!

When I am faced with fearful moments in my life, the Lord keeps bringing me back to this story. To live into God's purpose for my life, I cannot allow fear to lead me. Fear of conflict. Fear of what others may think. Fear of change. Fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear of my own emotions. Fear of the unknown. Fear of...(place your fear here). When I choose fear, God cannot use me. Remember, God does not give us the spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7).

Through the battles of my life, God desires for me to be like Gideon. To be fearless in my trust in Him. To be purposeful and focused in His mission for my life. To be watchful and willing to be led by His Spirit. I can either choose my fear and let it define my life and my relationship to God. Or, I can choose a fearless faith...willing to walk into the mysteries and battles of life knowing that my God will use my faith to bring about victory.

Are you led by fear? Is your church led by fear? Is your organization led by fear? If it is...go home. Get right with God. Then, when you're ready, join the battle and experience the victory you can find only in Him!

Mighty God, forgive me for my fearful ways and for being a barrier to your purpose in my life. Give me a spirit of courage, strength, and determination as I fight every day for Your truth, Your justice, Your love, and Your healing to be experienced in this world. I want to be a fearless faith follower! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,
Pastor Don

Veteran's Day Reflection

On this day in which we honor our veterans, I would like to offer some brief reflections and share two links to some videos that stirred my soul.

It is an understatement to say that I am extremely grateful for the men and women who have served our country through the armed forces. Their willingness to give their lives for the protection of freedom throughout the world and to stand for the dignity and rights of all people is inspiring. I do not ever want to take for granted the full sacrifice of many in giving their lives for the sake of others (John 15:13), nor do I want to take for granted the other sacrifices many have given: limbs, eyesight, separation from those they love, emotional and mental health, mental capacity from traumatic brain injuries, mobility, personal peace, and the list goes on and on. Only those who have gone through the traumas and horrors of war fully understand the sacrifices that have been and are being made. May God's grace and restorative power be in your lives.

I also want to honor those who have served our country during times of peace. While war was not raging, they trained and showed the willingness and ability to make the sacrifice. I am grateful for the time they took to train others to be about the work of a military officer, soldier, and seaman. They have modeled strength, courage, honor, and discipline and through their example have trained up those who protect us and others throughout the world today.

I would like to honor three men in my life that have served or are serving our country honorably:

Arthur Merle Bird: My grandfather who served in the Army during WWII. He was present at Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He died when I was in Jr. High, but I remember his silent strength and his love for me.

Donald Merle Bird: My father who served in the United States Air Force. He is a retired Lt. Colonel and he continues to serve as a civilian professor of chemistry at the Air Force Academy. He became an officer at the end of the Vietnam War, but did not tour. Most of his service was during the Cold War. He is the most honorable man I know. He lives with incredible integrity and he serves his God, his family, and his country with pride. Thank you Dad for modeling for me a love for God, country, and family.

Christopher Ronald Bird: My little brother who is currently a Sergeant in the United States Army. He has finished two tours in Iraq and is currently training to be deployed to Afghanistan in February of 2012. His courage and boldness inspire me. His willingness to serve his country in a time of war creates a well of pride within me. So proud of you Chris and I pray daily for your physical, spiritual, and emotional protection.

This time of year evokes many emotions. But, it also evokes many questions. The first video below reminds us that some gave all and we should honor their sacrifice. The second video speaks of the results of war and the war at home. As I reflect on those who serve and on the ways they go about fighting for the cause of freedom and protection throughout our world, I wonder if I approach my life with the same urgency and passion to fight for the principles worth fighting for here at home.

Am I willing to go to battle for the injustices throughout our land? Am I willing sacrifice my time and "reputation" to stand up for those who have no voice or for those the world would rather ignore? What am I really fighting for?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRGd0wI2tm8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1wPphW5CoA&feature=related


Thank you Lord Jesus for the men and women who put their lives on the line for others. Thank you for theri example of sacrifice, honor, and service. Almighty God, be my strength in the midst of strife, conflict, and fearful circumstances. Give me boldness and courage to stand for that which is right in Your eyes. Keep my heart focused on You and may Your character be instilled within me. Forgive me for asking you to fight the wars I have waged and for asking You to be on my side. I want to be on Your side, O God, and fight against the evil, injustice, and oppression that is an affront to You. You, O God, are my refuge and my strength. You, O God, are a shield about me. May the life I live and principles I fight for be acceptable to You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,


Don

Who Is Your Nest For?

Good morning!

I pray all is well and that you have been able to experience the fullness of God's love and grace in your life today and throughout this week! I would like to share with you a devotion that I have reflected on for a couple of weeks now. It is from Practicing Extravagent Generosity: Daily Readings on the Grace of Giving by Robert Schnase.

The notions of building nests is often used as a metaphor to describe people successfully providing for their own comforts. If someone arrives at a career position of some ease and security, friends say, "You've built yourself quite a nest for yourself here!"...The words nest often connotes shelter, coziness, homelike, comfortable.

In actual fact, the nests which birds build are not for the birds who build them, but for their young, for the next generation, for the future of the species. The hours of carrying straw, sticks, and mud; the days of defensive watchfulness; and the weeks of endless feeding are all for the benefit of the new ones, the young, the future.

Now consider "nests" we build in our churches. The buildings, the programs, ministries, job descriptions, and services we build - are they for our own comfort and coziness? Or are they to further the faith and provide for future generations? Does our giving serve us and our needs or serve God by serving the mission of the church to reach new people? Vibrant, fruitful congregations focus as much energy, prayer, and planning on those who are outside the congregation as they do on those who are already active in the congregation.

When I think about the nests I build, I realize that many of those nests are for me. I wonder how God is calling me to use the nests that I've built in my life for others? Am I ready to put in the time, the effort, the hard work, and probably with no recognition for it, to ensure that God uses all of me to reach people for Christ? Am I ready? Am I willing?

Are you?

Precious Lord, You provide all I need. The nests I have built, I've been able to build because of Your provision and blessing. Remind me again and again that the nests of my life come from Your hand. May I be generous in the way I share all of myself and all that I have so that others may experience the fullness of Your love and grace in their lives. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My Rights

Good afternoon!

I just came back to the office after having led a celebration of life service for a man in our community. At the reception I sat at a table with two other gentlemen who began talking about the issues around water rights in their communities. I must confess that I am rather ignorant on the subject, so I sat there trying my best to look like I had an inkling of what they were talking about. I did learn a few things, but, let's face it, most of it went right over my head. What impacted me most, was not the details of the conversation as much as the tone.

The deeper into the conversation they got, the more their tone changed. They went from spewing factual information to passionately defending their position. Not that they were yelling or arguing, but I could sense the emotions that ran deep on the topic (they were bringing up things that happened 15-20 years ago). I know that some of the great legal battles and issues in our country are around water and who has the right to use it. It pits friends against friends and communities against communities. It is a very divisive issue in our country.

My first thought focused on water itself. As people of faith, we believe that God created the heavens and the earth and EVERYTHING in it. Most of the earth is covered with water. The atmosphere is made up of the elements of water. Water is all around us. And, we fight over it?
Really?

True to our human nature, we want to be sure that there is always enough for ourselves. While there may be abundance, we fear that somewhere down the line we will not have enough. Or, we may be experiencing scarcity, therefore our fear causes us to hoard and hold on to more. We draw boundaries. Make laws. Tell people what they can use and what they can't. We have arguments and lawsuits about "rights" and "ownership" of what God created and freely supplies. I begin to wonder if this was really God's intent when he created us to take care of His world.

When we fight about our "rights" around property and things, we have lost our focus. As people of faith, if we believe that God is a God of abundance and provision, then why do we limit God and the ways he desires to pour out His blessings? Imagine if we did not worry about who possessed what and fought about what was rightfully ours and we started generously sharing what God offers. We share when we have "enough", we share in our "scarcity", we share in our abundance...we share.

Generous living looks beyond myself and my rights. It begins to view the world in a different light. The right that God has given me is the right to share His blessings on my life and allow others to experience it for themselves. The right God has given me is to love generously and without limit. It is not about my rights, but about the righteous God living through me.

Righteous God, full of love, mercy, and strength, give me a generous heart. Break my selfish spirit and my greedy desires, and form within me Your generous spirit. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

What Do You Love?

Good afternoon!

Last Sunday, I invited all of the worshippers in attendance who consider FUMC Canon City their home to write on an index card what they love about being a part of this family of faith. My reason for doing this is because we, as a people, are being engulfed by everything people believe is wrong about the world, government, corporations, churches, families...must I go on? The complaining and the griping and the negativity is starting to take over our lives and, unfortunately, it leaks into our churches and the holy, set apart life, we are called to live together. While there may be things in our personal, communal, and religious lives we do not agree with or understand, the colicky nature of our culture is not the way we are called to respond.

The Scriptures abound in the importance of building each other up and seeing each other with the eyes and heart of God. To be the Body that God created us to be, I believe we need to be about the work of seeing where God is working and pointing out how God is showing up in the midst of our journeys. The Scriptures tell us that those who follow Christ are to show a new way of being community with one another. We build each other up, not tear each other down...not only within the Body, but outside of the Body as well.

For further personal study on this read these passages:
Romans 15:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:19-25

I believe God calls us to be generous with our encouragement and in building up the Body so that we are most effective in the work of Christ in this world. In light of our need, and quite honestly our thirst, for encouragement, allow me to share with you what people love about our church.

I love this church and the ministers. I receive a good message every week. It has brought be closer to the Lord.

"This has been my church for 35+ years. We have many friends here...great singing by Bernie Topash - that music makes me feel like God was in our midst - such a blessing."

The people of our church are a giving people.

"Fellowship with like-minded Christians."

The love of Christ and His Word.

"The relationship we have with this church family."

The sermons, to see my church family, to bring my children to Sunday school and youth group.

"Coming together to learn and live in the presence of God. The peace that comes in the fellowship and sermon as we focus back to God."

Denny and Lois when they harmonize. Ivan, Amanda, and Emily.

"The love of the believer of Jesus Christ that is shown to us."

It gives me strength for the week ahead.

"The people...that I am accepted where I am and for who I am."

Friendliness (we got a lot of these responses)

"I like that we as a church are growing as Christians and growing as a family."

The church excites me with the fellowship of believers that surround me - and just not Sundays alone but all week long. The Spirit of the Lord is in this place.

"I am continually guided to the Bible and a personal relationship with Jesus through the pastors' messages, music, and fellowship."

Singing and Worship and Music

"The people here are all from many different backgrounds both socially and spiritually which makes them welcoming to all. It is easy to find a niche."

Everything

Those are only 1/2 of the responses we've received so far. Doesn't it feel great to focus on what God is doing in our midst? The words that come out of our mouths and the thoughts we have in our hearts and minds come out of that which we love. When we speak encouraging words, we demonstrate a love for God and other people. What do you love? How are you going to communicate that love this week?

Holy God, You are the Great Encourager and I am grateful for the encouragement you offer me and for loving me with Your heart of mercy and grace. Forgive me for my complaints and my grumblings. Forgive me for not seeing in others and in Your Body, what You see. Give me an encouraging heart and a grateful spirit so that You can use me for the building up of Your Kingdom here on earth. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

The Church

Good morning!

God is alive and moving all around us. My hope everyday is that I see where He is and that I am wise enough to be where He's working. My prayer lately has been that I would have the spiritual eyes to see the movement and activity of God all around me and that I would be obedient enough to immerse myself in God's presence and be used by Him.

Last week, at an Executive Council meeting (our leadership team), one of our team members shared a devotion with us from her Max Lucado Bible titled "The Church". The devotion has stirred my spirit and given me a glimpse into how God is trying to move in the church. I would like to share it with you:

When those who are called to fish don't fish, they fight. When energy intended to be used outside is used inside, the result is explosive. Instead of casting nets, we cast stones. Instead of extending helping hands, we point accusing fingers. Instead of being fishers of the lost, we become critics of the saved. Rather than helping the hurting, we hurt the helpers.

The result? Church Scrooges. "Bah humbug" spirituality. Beady eyes searching for warts on others while ignoring the wart on the nose below. Crooked fingers that bypass strengths and point out weaknesses.

Split churches. Poor testimonies. Broken hearts. Legalistic wars.

And, sadly, poor go unfed, confused go uncounseled, and lost go unreached.

When those who are called to fish don't fish, they fight. But note the other side of this fish tale: When those who are called to fish, fish - they flourish!

Nothing handles a case of gripes like an afternoon service project. Nothing restores perspective better than a visit to a hospital ward. Nothing unites soldiers better than a common task.

Leave soldiers inside the barracks with no time on the front line and see what happens to their attitude. The soldiers will invent things to complain about. Bunks will be too hard. Food will be too cold. Leadership will be too tough. The company will be too stale. Yet place those same soldiers in the trench and let them duck a few bullets, and what was a boring barracks will seem like a haven. The beds will feel great. The food will be almost ideal. The leadership will be courageous. The company will be exciting.

When those who are called to fish, fish - they flourish.

Friends, let's move out and work on the front lines together. That is where God is and He calls us to work alongside Him and to fight with Him to be sure that His grace, love, mercy, and justice are expressed to a world that hears and experiences the complete opposite every day. When we fish together - we will flourish!

Gracious God who goes before me, give me ears to hear your daily call upon my life to fish with You. Your love made real in my life is meant to be made real in others' lives too. Forgive me when I've wanted to hoard it all to myself. Forgive me when I have focused on what others weren't doing, instead of what You are doing. Give me a reel and a line and if you need to use me as bait to bring in the lost...I'm willing. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Beware...Could Be Habit Forming!

Hello Again!

It has been over seven weeks since my last blog as I have returned to the vibrancy of ministry after my renewal leave. I appreciate the gift that was offered to me this summer from the worshipping congregation at First United Methodist Church in Canon City, CO. The main reason for my leave this summer was to take some intentional time to reconnect with my family and to re-engage in life disciplines that I had ignored for some time. There were three things that I set out to accomplish:


1) Strengthen my private prayer life by listening and being with God on a daily basis
2) Personally engage in God's Word on a daily basis (different from doing this professionally)
3) Engage in a regular exercise routine and focus on my physcial health


I quickly learned how hard it was going to be to get out of old habits and live into new and healthy habits in my life. I realized that I was so entrenched within my old routines that I really had no idea where to start. I then came across a statement that John Wesley (Father of Methodism) said in a letter to John Trembath (a young minister who was a poor preacher). Wesley said, "O begin! Fix some part of every day for private exercises. You may acquire the taste which you have not: What is tedious at first, will afterwards be pleasant. Whether you like it or no, read and pray daily. It is for your life: there is no other way...Do justice to your own soul: give it time and means to grow. Do not starve yourself any longer (Vol. 12; p. 254).

What great insight and advice provided to me early in my time of renewal! I believe it is good insight for all of us today. After reading Wesley's advice, I took every day one step at a time. Every day I prayed to be open to the opportunities God placed before me. It was hard to get going and create a new rhythm of life, but it was worth it!


1) Now I do a lot more listening to God and a lot less talking, cherishing the moments during my day in which I can be still with my Lord.

2) I now approach my studying of God's Word so that I am open to what God is trying to tell me FIRST. It is then, and only then, that I am able to help communicate the power of God's message to others.

3) I lost 7 pounds while I was on leave and the physical exercise provided more energy, a clearer mind, and I don't breathe as hard when I bend over to tie my shoes! Progress for sure!!!


As we start a new school year and get back into the rhythm of our lives, this is a great time to start or revisit those healthy habits that you've been wanting to get back into. Take it one step at a time. It may be difficult at first, but as you continue and take it one day at a time, beware...your new way of life could be habit forming!


God of renewal and restoration, thank you for the rest You offer. Thank you for the opportunities You provide to return to habits that give life to my soul and to those You have placed around me. Give me Your strength, O God, to take each day as it comes. When discouragement creeps in, remind me of Your belief in me and give me a vision of being the person You want me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Renew

Good evening,

As many of you are aware, I am getting ready to go on a short 6-week renewal leave and will be out of the office from July 25th to September 5th. On this leave I will spend some important time with my family, take a vacation, and reconnect with spiritual disciplines that have become neglected over time, and enter into a silent retreat. The dictionary says the word renew "implies a restoration of what had become faded." There are times in our lives where the habits that are most life-giving (daily devotions, Scripture reading, prayer, etc.) become faded and we need to retreat in order to renew.

In my devotion for today, from the book When You Pray by Rueben P. Job, I read these affirming words as I get ready to enter my time of renewal:

Returning from the mission up on which Jesus had sent them, the disciples were filled with a success story that would make anyone proud and pleased. They poured out their story to Jesus and while he recognized their elation he also recognized their exhaustion and said, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). We have all experienced the emotional, physical, and spiritual exhaustion that follows an intense giving of ourselves to a cause greater than we are. Left unattended this exhaustion can be extremely debilitating. So Jesus immediately took the disciples on a retreat. Their boat trip to the place of solitude was a necessary, healing, and life-giving move on the part of Jesus. But once there the compassion of Jesus led him to respond to the needs of the gathered crowd and for the moment to forget the weariness that he and his disciples were carrying. And once again he was teaching and healing as he asked the disciples to give the crowd something to eat.

Prayer, compassion, and the needs of the world are always woven into any faithful life of discipleship. If we are wise we will weave them into a beautiful way of living that brings healing and hope to the world and fulfillment, joy, and peace to ourselves. At this point a word of caution is in order. Jesus had the wisdom to know when time apart was essential and when it was wise to once again engage in ministry. He was clear about resources and about limits. Once again, this is where we as followers must seek and follow the leading and direction that God seeks to bestow.

As I take time to renew, I pray that you find time to renew as well. That you see opportunities in your day as moments in which God is calling you to come by His side and find rest and renewal in Him. I look forward to sharing with you again in 6 weeks.

God of restoration and life, renew my spirit. Renew my mind. Make smooth the path before me so that I may not stumble and fall. Come by my side, O God, that I may find rest and renewal in You. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

What Can I Do For You?

Good evening family and friends,

I would like to share with you the lyrics to a Bob Dylan song, What Can I Do For You? that was shared with us in our staff meeting yesterday by our Financial Secretary, Glenna Huskey. I have been reflecting on the words to the song all day, and will continue to do so for the rest of the week. In our consumeristic society, we often ask "what's in it for me?". This spirit of selfishness has made its way into the Body of Christ. We ask that question when we worship. We ask it when we financially support the church. We ask it when we offer our time in service. Maybe we don't ask it outright, but if things don't go our way, or we run into a spiritual snag, the question has a way of creeping into our hearts.

Jesus never modeled the "what's in it for me?" lifestyle. He invited us into a relationship that honors humility, silences selfishness, and celebrates servanthood. He invited us to live into the question, "what can I do for you?"

Reflect on these words and ask, "God, what can I do for you?" "Neighbor, what can I do for you?" "Friend, what can I do for you?"

What Can I Do For You? by Bob Dylan from the album Saved:

You have given everything to me
What can I do for you ?
You have given me eyes to see
What can I do for You?
Pulled me out of a bondage and You made me renewed inside
Filled up a hunger that had always been denied
Opened up a door no man can shut and You opened it up so wide
And You've chosen me to be among the few
What can I do for You?
You have laid down Your life for me
What can I do for You?
You have explained every mystery
What can I do for You?
Soon a man is born, you know the sparks begin to fly
He gets wise in his own eyes and he's made to believe a lie
Who could deliver him from the death he's bound to die?
Well, You've done it all and there's no more anyone can pretend to do
What can I do for You?
You have given all there is to giveWhat can I give for You?
You have given me life to liveHow can I live for You?
I know all about poison, I know all about fiery darts
I don't care how rough the road is, show me where it starts
Whatever pleases You, tell it to my heart
Well, I don't deserve it but I sure did make it through
What can I do for You?

Loving Lord, forgive me for my selfish ways and seeking out ways to quench my own desires. Create in me a heart that is less focused on me, and more focused on You. Renew my sight to see the plight of those around me. Give me a clear purpose for serving those who do not know what You have done for them. Help me live into the question, "What can I do for You?" In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

Butt Down, Glove Down, Hand Ready

Good morning!

As I write this I am still overjoyed at the fact that my son and his baseball team, which I coach, ended their 6 game losing streak and won last night! I am still celebrating because the team finally put everything together to have a complete win. All year I have been preaching fundamentals and the importance of fundamentals in practice and in the game. There were times I became frustrated because I didn't think they were listening to a thing I said.

A couple of practices ago, I decided to change my approach to coaching (by the way this is my first time to ever coach baseball). I went into practice with the goal of making sure that when each player left, they were tired and worn out from working hard, while at the same time they were better at their skills than when they came into practice. It seems to be paying off! Not because of me, but because the boys have responded to it and put in the hard work.

One of the fundamental skills that was getting us in trouble in the games was fielding ground balls. No matter how many times we went through it and no matter how many times I talked about it, they couldn't remember the three rules: butt down, glove down, hand ready. At our last practice we did a drill they won't forget and we finally saw fruits of it last night. These young boys learned a life lesson - hard work pays off and the pain is worth the reward!

I liken this to our faith, too. It can be easy for us to forget about our fundamentals. The preacher (aka coach) gets up every Sunday to remind us, but it either goes in one ear and out the other, or it rattles around with all of the other advice we've been getting from people, books, magazine articles, and tv personalities. We get so bogged down with daily living that we forget to be living daily for Christ. It's not enough for someone to keep preaching it to us or reading it on a blog somewhere...there comes a time when we have to do it! When we pay attention to live out the fundamentals of our faith, we are able to see fruits from the practice of our faith (James 2).

Keeping with the baseball analogy:

Butt Down: Stay grounded in the Word of God. Get involved in a Bible study or a LIFE group (small group) that is Scripturally focused. Take part in daily devotions that open up God's Word for your life. Worship regularly and fellowship often with other Christians.

Glove Down: Make sure your heart is in the right place to receive God's love into your own life that you may continue to grow in His love and grace. Work toward living a life of prayer as everything you say, do, and think is like an ongoing conversation with God. You cannot give love that you haven't fully received.

Hand Ready: Make sure that your spirit is ready to take hold of the love and grace you have received, so that you can gracefully share it with others as your life delivers the truth of the faith you embrace.

The last part that I didn't mention that is a given in baseball, but it bears repeating...keep your eye on the ball. In other words, stay focused on Christ (Matthew 6:33). If you don't, you'll miss whatever He is trying to send your way.

All of this takes hard work. It takes practice. But as I tell my players, we practice how we play. When we step into the game of life everyday, we can experience victory because we have committed ourselves to living the faith and we don't forget those three simple rules: butt down, glove down, hand ready.

Precious Lord, I have forgotten the fundamentals of my faith. I have forgotten to stay grounded in You. I have failed to be ready to receive Your love for me and Your word for my life. I have failed to deliver Your love in a way that honors You. Forgive me. In the midst of my own errors in life, You still give me new opportunities and You have not given up on me. Thank You Lord! Give me strength to practice what I preach. Give me courage to live my life for You. Help me to see the fruits of my labor as You work through me in the game of life. Remind me daily to not forget the fundamentals of my faith and give me a heart to see the victory that comes through You. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

I Need Water!

Happy Summer!

It is a hot one today and like many hot days I like to take off my shoes, relax in a comfortable chair, and take in the rays of sun - as they shine through my window! I am not one for HOT weather. I get grumpy and can be quite miserable to be around if I get overheated. Therefore, I like to sit in a nice cool house, office, etc. and enjoy the beauty that the sunshine brings.

There are times, however, that I have to go outside. I have to mow the lawn. I have to get into a hot car. I have to go to the baseball diamond to coach baseball (that part is fun!). There are many other reasons of course, but when I know that I am going to be in the hot sun for a long time or that I will be working under the constant barrage of those heavenly heat waves, I make sure I have a nice cold drink with me. It is that cold drink that keeps me from going over the edge and offers me refreshment and nourishment when I need it most.


God does the same for us, too, doesn't He? He is that cold, refreshing drink when we need it most. He is that presence that keeps us from going over the edge of that cliff when we decide to keep Him close when our lives are getting heated and our spirits are weary. Not everyone understands that we have a God that will "satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail" (Isaiah 58:11). People don't know because they don't really give God a try. When people ask me how I get through the heat of life I tell them about God and I encourage them to give God a try as well. Even the psalmist says in Psalm 34:8, "Taste and see that the Lord is good."

Just give the Lord a shot. Experience Him for yourself. It's kind of like when Morpheus told Neo in The Matrix, "No one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself."

This is a good reminder for all of us - no matter where we are in our faith journey. Everyday we need to take steps and experience God a little more. When we drink from the living waters every day our spirits are refreshed, the eyes of our souls are awakened, and the lives we live bring life and health to the places we enter and the relationships we build.

When we drink the living water that God provides, we will thirst no more (John 4:10-15). Whatever heat you may be experiencing in your life, remember to keep God at your side and drench yourself in the life-giving water He provides. Go ahead, give it a shot...taste, drink, and see that the Lord is good!

Instead of my normal closing prayer, I invite you to watch this video clip of the song Come to the Water by Matt Maher. May it be your prayer this week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJJVrZKqKNE&feature=related

Take Care & God Bless,

Don

Sounds of Summer

Hello!

In our crazy and chaotic world where we are running to and fro, always with something to do, every now and then, I NEED silence! When I get in the car, I turn off the radio. When I am at home, I try to sit in silence. There is something about silence that is life-giving for me. My mind, spirit, and body become renewed. I am able to sort out my thoughts, or allow my thoughts to go wherever the Spirit leads. Sometimes, I don't have any thoughts at all. I can honestly say I was thinking of nothing. :)

There is something else that silence adds to my life and that is the ability to really listen to what is most important. Let me give you an example. While at home this week, I was at that place where I needed silence. The problem is that my kids are out of school now and silence is not necessarily in their vocabulary. Luckily for me, the kids were outside playing and I was able to get in some silent moments. What I discovered was a world that I had neglected and had forgotten about.

In the silent moments I was able to truly listen, and fully enjoy, the sounds of summer. I listened to the screams and screeches of children playing outside. I heard the chirps of the robin on fence in the backyard. I even enjoyed the buzzing of the bee by my ear. In that "silent" moment, I was blessed with the voice of God bringing joy through the laughter of children and singing notes of encouragement through a song bird. After this brief, yet simply profound experience, I wanted more.

I became intentional about hearing God this week through the sounds of summer. I find joy in the sound of a ball being struck by a bat or the snap of leather as a ball hits the mit. A reminder to stay young and make sure I take time to play. My spirit sings at night with the crickets that chirp outside my window, or the ones who have found shelter in my garage. A reminder that God is with me, even in the darkest nights. I find comfort in the sound of the breeze rustling the trees or the movement of swift water as it makes it way down the Arkansas River. A reminder of God's gentle power in my life. I love the sound of silence, too. A reminder that God's still small voice continues to whisper to the depths of my soul..."be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) and "this is the Way, walk in it" (Isaiah 30:21).

I know the summer can be filled with a great many things to do. How about taking some time to listen to the sounds of summer? What is God trying to communicate to you?

Holy God, thank You for the seasons of life. Thank You for the moments You give me to listen to Your voice. Forgive me for allowing my life to become noisy and chaotic, shutting out Your voice. I want to listen for You - so keep my spirit still and quiet. Open my ears to hear the many ways You speak to me and help me not take anything for granted. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Enough Said

Happy Friday!

I know it is a happy day for my kids as they celebrate the first day of summer vacation. My son still wasn't awake when I left just before 9:00 this morning.

Lately it has been bothering me how much talking we do as a culture. As a man who has only 15,000 words at his disposal on a daily basis (from what the scientists say), I have to use them carefully and wisely! We have to discuss...at length...EVERYTHING.

We need to discuss how many calories are good for a healthy diet, or the reasons for our current weather patterns across the country, or whether taxes should be higher or lower or whether spending should increase or decrease (that is a personal and national debate - from the Bird House to the White House). We have to talk about what a celebrity wore, or didn't wear, at a highfalutin event. We talk about why the Rockies are playing poorly or we talk about the end of the world (if the Rockies don't make the playoffs it will feel that way for me). It seems there is always big talk around who should have won on Survivor, The Biggest Loser, or American Idol.

I'm not saying that these things are not note-worthy or discussion-worthy. They are if they interest you. And, some of the topics really don't make a difference in our lives. They are just fun to talk about and debate. However, when I look at the things that do matter in our lives like government, spirituality, church, personal relationships, etc., we can talk things to death and nothing ever seems to get done. We talk about change, but we don't really change (we just rearrange the chairs on the deck). We talk about reprioritizing our lives, yet we find it difficult to actually do it. We talk about transformation, but we don't fully partner with God to experience it.

Maybe I'm over-reacting, but it feels that we do a lot of talking and we struggle with doing what is really good, right, and true for our lives, for each other, and for God's created world. Don't get me wrong, talking things out and allowing for open discussion is important, but it seems we get stuck in the rut of just talking. Eventually, a decision has to be made and we have to get to the "doing" part of our lives.

There is a common saying that says, "Less is more." So, instead of talking this blog to death, maybe I should say one more thing. When life gets confusing and complicated, it is something I tell myself often and it gets me refocused and back on track...

JESUS

Enough said.

Gracious God, help me to communicate the power and truth of Your Son Jesus as simply and as genuinely as I can...and use words if I have to. In His holy name I pray. Amen.

Get Used To It!

What a wonderful week it has been!

Yesterday was my 39th birthday. I usually don't make too much of a fuss about my birthday. I'm not one to seek out much attention and I don't feel too comfortable with all of the fanfare that usually accompanies such days. While I love doing it for others, it's never really been something that I felt I needed.

However, I was showered this year with so much love, good wishes, and compliments from loved ones that I experienced a greater blessing than I have in years past (at least in recent memory). This is not to say that my family has snubbed me in past birthday celebrations, or that there has failed to be a party of some sort or another. But, with the help of technology (facebook) and being surrounded by a loving family and great friends, my experience left me feeling extremely blessed for the life God has given me and the ability to share it with such wonderful people.

Too often we take our relationships for granted. In times of celebration (birthdays, weddings, baptisms, graduations, etc.), when we gather with our family and friends, we are reminded of how valuable those relationships are and how much joy they bring to our lives. We are reminded of the good those relationships inject into our lives and the love that keeps us going from day-to-day. This week, I was reminded of how many people care and how many people God has placed in my life that have influenced me and formed me.

With all of that said, I received an email this week that I have to share with you. I pray that it brings a smile and joy to your life today and throughout this week. (Thank you Renee Kindell for sending it to me!)

"A mother was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe. So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbour if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he wouldn't notice her. The neighbor said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.

The next school day, the neighbour and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week. As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy 's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week.

Finally she said to Timmy , 'Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?' Timmy nonchalantly replied, 'Yeah, I know who she is.' The little girl said, 'Well, who is she?' 'That's just Shirley Goodnest ,' Timmy replied, 'and her daughter Marcy.' 'Shirley Goodnest? Who is she and why is she following us?' 'Well,' Timmy explained, 'every night my Mum makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!'"

Are you used to God's goodness and mercy following you? How much different would your life be if you" got used to" God being with you on your journey through life? What a great example for living - with the knowledge of God's grace and goodness surrounding every step we take! May the goodness and mercy of our God follow you in the form of family and friends all the days of your life. Enjoy the journey and just get used to it!

Loving God, may I never tire of Your blessings and may I never take for granted the goodness and mercy You bring into my life. If I forget, O God, remind me of those who love me and surround me with those who bring Your joy! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Summer Vacation Christians

Good afternoon!

Recently, I had picked-up my daughter from school and we were driving home when I said, rather excitedly, "Only 10 1/2 days left of school!" Of course, I anticipated the "normal" response of "Oh, I can't wait!" or "I wish it was over now!" When I was her age (10 yrs. old), that was my response. When I was 21 and in college, that was my response. When I was 25 and in seminary, that was my response!!! I don't think I have ever had a different response. But, I should have learned a long time ago to expect the unexpected from my daughter. Her first response came in a sound that sprung forth from the depths of her soul. It was deep...almost gutteral...with hints of a high pitched whine. I didn't know if she was getting ready to explode with excitement or stroke out in despair!

After her initial response she said, "Noooooo! I don't want school to be over!" I have to honest, I thought my child was losing it and I started to wonder if my wife had eaten some weird food when she was pregnant that created this odd behavior. (and no, I don't always blame my wife for genetic oddities) I asked her why she wasn't excited for school to be out and she said she likes school, she likes learning, and she likes being around her friends. After my shock wore off, I must say that I am awfully proud that my daughter responded the way she did. Why wouldn't a parent be excited that his/her child loves to learn and loves doing it with her friends?

In reflection, God did not create us to turn off our brains and disengage from the lessons He is trying to teach us. God did not create us to be isolated in our learning and growing. Yet, for so many Christians, we stop growing and we stop doing it together. When we accept Christ or we've done "our time" in the church, we become summer vacation Christians...excited for the time when we can sit back, relax, and tell ourselves we've learned all we need to learn and we've done what we needed to do. At least for our children, they have to go back to school. But, it can be so easy, as Christians, to take a permanent summer vacation.

I want the excitment my daughter has for learning and growing. I don't want to be content with what I already know (or think I know for that matter). I want my faith, my religion, my life to experience the excitement of wondering, "What is God going to teach me next?" While taking the time to relax is good and important for a balanced life...I'd like to find time to relax with my God and allow Him to reveal to me deeper understandings of who He is and how He is working in my life and in the lives of those around me. And, you know what? Like my daughter understands, God grows me by working through other Christians in my life. I need the Body of Christ. You and I cannot grow on our own - neither apart from each other and nor apart from God.

As it says in The Message translation of 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, "Who do you think Paul is, anyway? Or Apollos, for that matter? Servants, both of us—servants who waited on you as you gradually learned to entrust your lives to our mutual Master. We each carried out our servant assignment. I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow. It's not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow. Planting and watering are menial servant jobs at minimum wages. What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving. You happen to be God's field in which we are working."

As summer is quickly approaching, resist the temptation to become a summer vacation Christian. Pray that God would help you become a year-round Christian. One who is excited about the life lessons you learn (good and bad) and one who thirsts for the powerful presence of God in your life. Pray that God would offer you boldness and courage to seek out other Christians with whom you can grow. Pray that God, through Jesus Christ, would renew your mind and conform your heart and life to the likeness of our Lord.

Holy God, thank You for loving me and reminding me that there is more to my life than what I have come to know. Forgive me of my lazy spirit and renew within me a heart that is on fire for you. Help me to joyfully accept the lessons You are teaching and to humbly submit to Your molding of my heart. I desire to live my life for You. Grow me and make me into the person You know I can be. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

In Our Father's Image

Today is the National Day of Prayer and it couldn't have come at a better time, in my opinion. Just four days ago our nation erupted in jubilation over the news that a mass murderer had been hunted down and killed. Justice was served...at least our view of justice this side of heaven. I heard the news after I came home from a wonderful choir concert at our church. Talk about a downer! My first reaction was one of relief that this man could no longer hurt people of all different genders, ages, races, and creeds. My next reaction was in response to the scenes I saw on television of people congregating in the streets to actually celebrate the news.

This form of celebration did not sit right with me and it still doesn't. While I understand the raw human emotion of celebrating that justice had been enacted on this man and the collective sigh of relief that more suffering would not come from his hand, I was reminded of the scenes I saw of people celebrating in the streets at the news of 9/11. I thought to myself, have we stooped that low? Have we become what we say we hate?

My Christian response was not one of joy, but one of sadness. Sadness for the reminder of all who have died under his hand. Sadness of the evil that has spread because of his teachings. Sadness that, as far as we know, he never knew of the powerful grace and love that our God has for him. Sadness that our world could rejoice when another life is taken. Are these the consequences of war and of another person's actions? Yes. Do we need to delight in them? No.

All around facebook the Scripture that keeps coming out from Christian brothers and sisters is from Ezekiel 33:11, "As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live." On this 5th day of May, the National Day of Prayer, that is what I am going to be praying for.

In closing, allow me to share an old devotion that I came across this week that I think speaks to the Christian response for the world today:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:43-45

Max Lucado, in his book The Applause of Heaven, writes about a big, muscle-bound man named Daniel who was swindled by his own brother. He vowed that if he ever saw him again, he would break his neck. A few months later, Daniel became a Christian. Even so, he couldn't forgive his brother. One day, the inevitable encounter took place on a busy avenue. This is how Daniel described what happened:

I saw him, but he didn't see me. I felt my fists clench and my face get hot. My initial impulse was to grab him around the throat and choke the life out of him. But as I looked into his face, my anger began to melt. For as I saw him, I saw the image of my father. I saw my father's eyes. I saw my father's look. I saw my father's expression. And as I saw my father in his face, my enemy once again became my brother.

The brother found himself wrapped in those big arms—but in a hug. The two stood in the middle of the river of people and wept. Daniel's words bear repeating: "When I saw the image of my father in his face, my enemy became my brother."

What do we see when we look at someone who wrongs us or makes our life difficult? Do thoughts of revenge or retribution cloud our view … or can we see the image of our father, our Heavenly Father, in these people? May the Holy Spirit empower us to see our Father’s image in everyone we encounter.

Whether that be in a man who is responsible for the killing of many, the coworker we don't get along with, the family member we've grown estranged from, or the person who looks back at us in the mirror everyday. Let's spend our time celebrating the face of God revealed to us in each other!

Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for giving me the great gift of forgiveness. Enable me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. Give me the vision to see beyond what is in front of me, to see what is inside of every one of your children...You. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.

Easter Happened!

As a pastor, the Monday after Easter is a time of recovery for me. Resurrection Sunday is filled with high energy, excitement, stress, and incredible spiritual investment that often leaves me tired and exhausted. I need the Monday after Easter to allow my physical body to recuperate. It is an exciting time of the year, but there is a let down when it is all over.

I wonder if that is the challenge for other Christians as well. Through Lent we prepare our lives and our spirits to receive the power of the resurrection. Through Lent we repent of our sins and we invite God to restore us to a new relationship with Him. Easter is a celebration of this new life that only Jesus Christ can bring! But, when the day of celebration is over, there is a let down in spirit and focus and intentional living. The power of Easter comes in the way we live our lives after the resurrection, not just on Easter Sunday!

Luke 24:35-48 gives us a glimpse into the challenge that faced the disciples after the resurrection. They had met Jesus on the road to Emmaus. They actually saw the risen Christ!!! As they spoke of the Emmaus experience, Jesus came to them again. Remember, they had already seen Christ, yet they were frightened upon seeing Him again. They thought He was a ghost. Jesus challenged the doubts in their hearts and showed them His hands and feet again and proved His bodily resurrection when He ate some food they gave Him.

These disciples had witnessed the resurrection of Jesus first hand and still had doubts. They still had an Easter let down and did not fully understand and embrace what the resurrection meant for their lives. Then, Jesus opened their hearts and their understanding that they may come to know the Scriptures. After doing so, Jesus reminds them that they were witnesses to the life and purpose of Jesus.

Being a witness held certain responsibilities...to testify and continue to witness to the fact that Jesus was to suffer, rise from the dead, call others to repentance and remission of sins, and to share it with all nations. There is no let down to Easter. Easter gears us up, lifts us up, and strengthens us to share the good news of Jesus' life and message! It restores in us hope and courage to live our lives in such a way that we proclaim the power of Jesus' resurrection.

We can walk away from Easter with renewed peace, joy, hope and a firm sense of mission, which can affect our entire outlook on life. We become purpose-driven to win our world for Christ. Our whole image, how we appear and talk, our outlook and reaction to life will all be different and when people ask what's happened to us, we can answer: "Easter happened, that's what!"

Holy God, in the days after Easter, reveal Yourself to me. Embolden me to live my life with the power of resurrection flowing through my heart and manifesting itself in the way I serve You. May my life be a testimony, a witness, to the way You have raised my life to live in a hope, peace, and grace that is beyond compare. In the name of Jesus, the risen Christ! Amen.

At Jesus' Feet

Hello Holy Week journeyers,

I hope this week is truly set apart from any other week you take part in the rest of the year. This week is one of those special weeks that provide us the opportunity to get back on track and be reminded of the importance of our faith in Jesus and the transformation He can truly make in our lives. I know how difficult our day in and day out journeys can be. Our bodies get tired and our feet get achy and worn. Our spirit becomes weary and we try to find a place to rest. This Holy Week we are reminded of where we can lay our burdens down and how the journey before us can be renewed and restored with hope and vitality.

My morning devotion from the book Experiencing God Day-By-Day, shared the following:

Mary seemed drawn to the feet of Jesus. It is not surprising that of all those who followed Jesus, Mary was the one to anoint His feet. The disciples would have their opportunity to show the same love, but pride would prevent them (John 13:12-13). Marth, too, was prone toward acts of service, but she had developed a different kind of relationship with Jesus than Mary had. While Martha had labored on Jesus' behalf in the kitchen, Mary had joyfully sat at Jesus' feet and listened to Him teach (Luke 10:38-42). Because Mary had come to know and love Jesus in this way, she was ready to humble herself and offer this poignant expression of love to Him. Such depth and sincerity of love comes only through spending time in close fellowship with Jesus.

The way we express our love for Jesus depends on the kind of relationship we have developed with Him. Our love for Him will not grow unless we spend time with him, listen to his voice, and experience His love for us. If we find that our love for Jesus has waned or that we struggle to serve Him, it is a clear sign that we must take time to sit at His feet. We may have been involved in Christian activity on His behalf and yet neglected our relationship with him. After we have spent time in intimate fellowship with our Lord, and after we have heard His voice and received His love, we will be prepared to serve Him, even laying down our life for Him if that is what He asks.

If your journey in life has taken you on a different path, set this Holy Week apart from any other by sitting at the feet of your Lord. Listen to His words for you. Receive His grace. Get back on track by walking in His footsteps.

Allow this week to call you back to the central message of your faith. May this week help you out of your ruts and lead you back into vibrant, life-giving practices that strengthen and embolden your faith. Sit at the feet of Jesus. Sit at the foot of the cross. Sit by the stone of an occupied tomb....and wait.

Dear Lord, I want to sit at Your feet, listen for Your voice, and be led by Your hand. I want this week to be set apart for You so that the rest of my week will be made holy by my fellowship with You. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.

Who am I?

At the end of a day, have you ever looked upon the events of that day and noticed that there was a common theme? That the most memorable moments of your day could be boiled down to one common idea or experience? Well, today was one of those days for me.

In this season of Lent we have been on a very intentional journey with Jesus to the cross. One of the main questions I have challenged you to ask yourself in this journey is, "Who is Jesus?" Your answer to this question is critical to the life you will experience...not just in the heavenly realm upon your departure from this earth, but even in the worldly realm as you live and breathe within the context of relationships and community.

Does Jesus bring power into your life as the Son of God? Does He liberate you from the oppressive power of sin, discouragement, and hopelessness as your Messiah and Savior? Does this Jesus have the power to overcome the darkness in your life as the Light of your world? How we answer these questions is important if we are to become faithful followers of Jesus Christ.

However, that leads me to another important question that has been nagging at me today. While I believe Jesus to be the Son of God and the Savior of the world, I am left pondering, "Who am I?" In relation to Jesus and my belief in Him, "Who am I?" I understand that the answer to this question is very complex. I am a child of God. I am a son, a brother, a husband, a father, an uncle, a grandson, a friend, a pastor, etc. But, this is not where I am going. The totality of who we are is a complex layering of different roles, labels, and experiences. I want to know who I am with Jesus in my life.

Today reminded me that Christians (of which I am one) and the Church (of which I am a part) have lost their identity. We have lost our way. We have wandered from our center. The focus of our faith is more on ourselves than it is on the One who came, lived, died, rose, and will come back again...Jesus. I don't believe this has been intentional, but it has become the reality in many areas of our lives. We have forgotten what it means to be disciples of Jesus Christ. We have forgotten that being a disciple is costly - we are asked to give up our lives, to allow Jesus to lead, to live in deep faithful community with others in which there is accountability, and to live lives that make a profound impact within the neighborhoods in which we live and work.

Instead, we want cheap discipleship. We want worship they way we like it. We want programs that interest us and at times that are most convenient. We want others to do the work of God because we have over-scheduled our lives and can't seem to find ways to fit God into it. We are okay with relegating the work of faith to those who have the time or are paid to do it...thinking that we can be carried into the joys of heaven on the backs of others. We don't want to make any major changes to our lives. We'd like to fit God in where it is convenient, instead of fitting our lives into God's plan.

I believe most people in the church want to live in and experience the power of Jesus in their lives. Most want the Holy Spirit to reside on their shoulders and never leave them. Most want to catch a glimpse of God moving in their lives and know of the full, deep love of Christ. We want to experience the realization of God's promises being fulfilled in our lives. But...there is always a but...we struggle with putting in the work that will help us experience that kind of life. We struggle with our own identity.

For the faithfulness of Christ to be fully experienced in our lives, we need to come back to a faithful understanding of who we are in relation to Jesus. Not just knowing who He is, but allowing who He is to define who we are. We need to change our focus and get it off ourselves and put it back on our Lord. My friend, Bob Kaylor, said in a recent blog, "The only way to change is through the transforming power of Christ. You want to make disciples? You have to be one first."

Are you willing to recommit your life to being a disciple? To getting back to the basics of studying the Scriptures, living in accountable relationships with other Christians, of walking closely behind Jesus, and allowing God to use YOU to change your part of the world? If we, as the church, want to see a world transformed, we must first experience that transformation. We won't be able to do that if we don't know who Jesus is and if we aren't willing to be who Jesus wants us to be...faithful, growing, and transformed disciples of Christ.

Lord Jesus, I have lost my focus...turn my eyes back on You. I have desired cheap discipleship...give me a heart to live a life of sacrifice for You. I want my faith to be easy...remind me that Your way is through the narrow gate. I desire the benefits without the cost...remind me again of what You did for me on the cross. Create in me a new heart that desires true transformation and a willingness to be a disciple that honors You. Remove from me any distractions of the heart, mind, and soul so that my walk with You may bring forth fruit in my life and through my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Fools for Christ

Good morning! Today, it feels like God is playing an April Fools joke on us because there is no way that we are in the month of April already! We are already a quarter of the way through 2011 and heading into a new season of Spring and Opening Day for Major League Baseball in the Rockies! A great time of year, for sure, but it doesn't seem possible how quickly time has flown.

April Fool's Day is a fun day and sometimes the tomfoolery starts early. Earlier this week, I found a naked Barbie Doll in my work bag...obviously something my 12 year-old son thought was funny. Of course, I got a laugh out of it and I'm now planning where I can hide it in response to my surprise earlier in the week (this is an ongoing occurrence in our family). Last night, my daughter told us that she wanted to play an April Fool's joke on her brother by having us wake her up after Ethan fell asleep so that she could place his hand in a glass of warm water! We all know what is "supposed" to happen. She was finding joy in the fact that her brother would be made a fool of if the experiment was successful. What kind of delinquent children am I raising?

Of course, all of this is in fun. But, on this 1st day of April, I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 4:10 where Paul says, "We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!" Paul was challenging the Christians in the church in Corinth. They had become complacent in their faith, their leadership, and their understanding of what it meant to be Christ in their world. These words from Paul were sarcastic in tone, and challenging in meaning.

Being fools for Christ means that what we believe, what we do, how we live will often be seen as foolish in the eyes of the world and even within the context of societal norms. When you follow Christ, your decisions, the love your share, the way you forgive, the jokes you laugh at, the priorities you set in your life, the words you write on Facebook, your blog, or your tweets, are different and not what others may expect. In some peoples' eyes, it may even appear foolish.

In his book, Holy Sweat, Tim Hansel tells the story of Clarence Jordan. He was a man of unusual abilities and commitment. He had two Ph.D.s, one in agriculture and the other in Greek and Hebrew. He was so gifted he could have chosen to do anything he wanted. He chose to serve the poor. In the 1940s, he founded a farm in Americus, Georgia, and called it Koinonia Farm. It was a community for poor whites and poor blacks.

As you might guess, the idea did not go over well in the Deep South of the 1940s. The town people tried everything to stop Clarence. They tried boycotting him, and slashing the workers’ tires when they came to town. Over and over, for fourteen years, they tried to stop him. Finally, in 1954, the Ku Klux Klan had enough of Clarence Jordan, so they decided to get rid of him once and for all. They came one night with guns and torches and set fire to every building on Koinonia Farm but Clarence’s home, which they riddled with bullets. They chased off all the families but one black family that refused to leave. Clarence recognized the voices of the Klansmen, some of who were church people. One Klansman was a local newspaper reporter.

The next day, the reporter came out to see what remained of the farm. The rubble was smoldering, but he found Clarence in the field, hoeing and planting. “I heard the awful news,” he called to Clarence, “and I came out to do a story on the tragedy of your farm closing.” Clarence just kept on hoeing and planting. The reporter kept poking trying to get this quietly determined man to get angry. Instead of packing, Clarence was planting. Finally, the reporter said in a haughty voice, “Well, Dr. Jordan, you got two of them Ph.D.s and you've got fourteen years into this farm, and there’s nothing left of it at all. Just how successful do you think you've been?” Clarence stopped hoeing, turned toward the reporter with his penetrating blue eyes, and said quietly but firmly, “About as successful as the cross. Sir, I don’t think you understand us. What we are about is not success but faithfulness. We’re staying. Good day.” Beginning that day, Clarence and his companions rebuilt Koinonia and the farm is going strong today.

On this April Fool's Day in which we do foolish things to make others look foolish and take delight in it, may be recommit our lives and our faith to be fools for Christ. To act, live, and be foolish in the eyes of the world so that we may be found faithful in the eyes of Christ.

Holy God, You are set apart. You are full of grace. Your ways are not the ways of the world. I admit that I have often looked foolish in Your eyes, God, so that I may be found worthy in the eyes of the world. Help me to get right my priorities and seek Your ways for my life - even if I may be deemed foolish by those around me. I desire to be faithful to You, and You alone. Thank you for reminding me that if I am going to be a fool for anything, it is best to be a fool for You. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

Afraid of the Light?

Happy Spring Break!

Recently, in a morning devotion I read of a time back when electricity was first being introduced to a little Scottish village, almost everybody in a particular church switched from the propane lanterns to electricity just as soon as it could be hooked up. However, the oldest couple in the congregation couldn't get their electricity because they were waiting for the poles to go up and the wire to be strung. So they continued to use their propane lanterns.

The day finally came when the electricity was brought into their home. Everyone came for the festive event. Teh old man waited for it to get extra dark; then he told his wife to go turn on the switch. When she did, the light filled the room, and everyone rejoiced. The old man grinned from ear to ear, picked up a propane lamp and said, "It sure makes lighting my lamps easier." And with that he lit a lamp, and his wife turned off the electricity.

We can be like that sometimes, can't we? We can't see the light for need to hang on to the darkness in our lives. Christ sheds His holy light into the dark recesses of our hearts and lives and sometimes we decide we'd rather keep those places hidden. We decide that we only want the light of Christ to shine in the selective sections of our soul. Are there areas of your life where you are more afraid of the light than you are of the dark?

The Bible tells us that we cannot hide from God (Jeremiah 23:24) and that even the darkness is as light to Him (Psalm 139:11-12). As Christians, we do not hold onto the darkness of our lives and live in the darkness...as that is not faithful to the calling of our Lord. John 3:19-21 says, "...the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." Even 1Thessalonians 5:5 says, "For you are children of the light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness."

Whatever darkness you continue to hold onto...whatever darkness you continue to live in...allow the light to overcome it and light your path to experience the light of life (John 8:12). No need to be afraid of the light anymore...it will disperse and consume any darkness in your life!

Lord of Light, thank You for lighting my path. Forgive me for living in darkness and not allowing You access to the deepest, darkest parts of my life. I am grateful for Your light and the power it has to scatter the darkness and bring warmth to my soul. I want to be a child of the light and not be afraid of what the light may reveal. I want to bask in the Light of Your love and grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Joy is Strength

Hello Friends!

I hope and pray that you have experienced the powerful presence of God in your lives this week. This has been a long week! On Wednesday I thought it was Friday - wishful thinking I guess! As you know from a previous post, our church family has experienced the death of two wonderful friends in the last week. That alone is enough to make a normal week, long and draining. Grief has a way of taking away some of the vitality of life for a while. On top of the grief, my heart has been burdened by many who are struggling with physical needs (some immediate, some ongoing), emotional crises, and spiritual challenges. Place on top of all of that the "normal" duties of a "typical" week, and the weight and burdens can easily bring one to his knees (from exhaustion and in prayer!).

As I anticipate the coming weekend and that benefits of a short Spring Break vacation, I continue to be reminded of some words that were spoken at the celebration of life service for Verle Pomeroy. Pastor Denny mentioned a time that Verle invited him over to his house. Knowing that life had been challenging the family for a while, Verle had Denny over to watch a funny video saying that sometimes you just have to laugh in the tough times. Oh the joy for life that Verle possessed, even in the midst of struggles and tribulations. And the gift that joy brought to the depths of Denny's life.

It reminds me of a 3rd century man who was anticipating death. Feeling a need to communicate his heart to a friend he said, "It's a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people are the Christians...and I am one of them." (Today in the World, June, 1988, p.18)

Living in the joy of every day moments and situations does not mean we have to be happy about our moment or situation. Happiness is an emotion, while joy is a state of the soul. Happiness is short-lived, while joy is everlasting. Happiness is conditional, while joy is given unconditionally.

In Psalm 94:19 it says, "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." I praise God in all things, but I give a little extra shout of joy for seeing me through a week like the one we just experienced. The joy that Christ brings makes the tough weeks, the unbearable burdens, and the deep despairs a lighter load to carry. The consolation of the Lord truly brings joy to my soul!

Whatever you may be going through right now, you don't have to like it and it may burden your soul in a number of different ways. But, when you allow the joy of the Lord to take hold of your heart and guide your spirit, those burdens are lifted and the anxieties lessened. The joy of the Lord can truly be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10)!

God of joy, thank You for the strength You offer and the burdens You lift. Thank you for the joy that only You can provide. Forgive me for holding on to my anxieties, my sorrows, and my troubles. Help me to realize that my grip on these things only keeps me from experiencing the joy You desire for me. I want to live in Your joy even when I don't like my circumstances. Remind me that I can discover Your joy in every situation. Open my heart, my mind, and my soul to receive it...again. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

A Time to Mourn

Hello Friends,

This past week, from Saturday until today, has been a rollercoaster ride of emotion. On two occasions our church family has received sad news as two saints in our church have been called home by God. Genevieve Brower (March 5th) and Verle Pomeroy (March 9th) turned in this earthly life, for an eternal home made by the hands of our Creator. Both have been pillars of faith and strength in our church for many years. They lived long lives and their wisdom was often sought and their presence desired when we would gather together. They will surely be missed, as they were loved and we felt the love the emmanated from their souls.

Both Genevieve and Verle were simply faithful. This brings joy in times like these, as we are confident of the fact that they are "dwelling in the house of the Lord, forever." I'm sure the Lord took one look at both of them and said, "Well done good and faithful servant. Well done!" We can take solace and comfort in knowing that Genevieve and Verle are experiencing the fulfillment of the promises they clinged to in this life. Their bodies are restored and their spirits renewed. We find joy in knowing they are with the Lord.

Yet, at the same time, we grieve. We are saddened by their absence. We mourn our human loss. We are brought to tears at the mention of their name or the sharing of a memory or when we hear a song that reminds us of them. We expect to see them in the places and situations they frequented. When they don't arrive, we are saddened. We have to learn how to go on living in this life without them.

As Christian people we live in the tension between joy and sorrow, strength and weakness, and restoration and brokenness. We come to God in these moments, and we hold on to the promises He has given. How do we handle this tension? Do we focus only on the joy because we believe that a good Christian would respond that way? Do we allow ourselves to slide deep into despair, forgetting to turn our eyes toward eternity? How do we grieve as Christian people?

Grieving like a Christian does not mean we do not grieve. It means we grieve without despair. We crawl into our Father's lap and lay our tear-stained cheeks on His shoulder, and trust that what He ordains is always right, will always work out well in the end, and that all our losses will one day be restored to us. It is running to Him and asking, "Tell me the story of what You have done and what You will do to destroy this enemy." It is going to Him and asking for the strength and comfort we need, to face the new reality of our temporary, mortal-lives-- a reality without someone we have grown to love, without someone we are used to having as a part of our lives and perhaps mistakenly assumed would always be there. It is knowing that although there is loss, all is not lost.

God does not tell us we will not have sorrows. He tells us that He will be our comfort in sorrow. He does not tell us we will not have tears. He tells us He will be there with us to wipe our tears away. He does not tell us there will not be times to mourn. He tells us that on the other side of that mourning is the promise of joy indescribable. (www.dory.typepad.com)

As we walk this path of sorrow together, may we also experience the joy that comes with having been loved by and being able to love Genevieve and Verle. May we experience the restoration of our souls as God strengthens us and reawakens us to His Spirit which embraces us. Yes, this is a time to mourn, but thanks be to God that on the other side of that mourning is the promise of an indescribable joy and a peace that passes all understanding.

Comforting, holy, God, I place myself in Your hands...I put myself in Your lap, and I ask that You hold me and those dear to me close to Your heart as we mourn. Turn my mourning into joy as I remember the ones I love who have gone home to be with You. Walk with me in the tension of these moments and the contemplations of the mysteries of life and death. Remind me that You are my God and I can find refuge in You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Heal or Hurt

Hello Friends!

It has been a couple of weeks since I've last posted. I'm glad to be back and sharing with you again. Over the last few weeks I have watched with great interest how our human race responds to conflict situations. Conflict is all around us and it takes many forms. Conflict manifests itself in curtly spoken words to a spouse, child, or co-worker. It manifests itself in gossip and slander. It manifests itself in screaming matches or accusations in front of a tv camera. It manifests itself in protests, picket lines, and walking out on the job. The worst manifestation of conflict comes when words and actions incite violence against our fellow human beings. Other forms of conflict are more subtle as they exists within our own thoughts and emotions. We struggle spiritually with the issues that bombard us in life. We struggle emotionally to hold it all together - or at least find a healthy way to express our raw emotions. We struggle mentally - trying to make sense of senseless situations. While most people hate conflict, it is something we live with every single day.

If we are to handle conflict in our lives as the world has modeled it for us, we will quickly find ourselves caught up in the powerful currents of anger, hatred, and the demonization of those who disagree with us. With all of the images and reports on the television screen and in the newspaper (and we tend to choose the newspapers and television stations that usually support our position and perspective), it is easy for us to get swept away by the raw emotions and dangerous reactivity of the issues in front of us.

Within our personal lives it is just as easy. When we disagree with someone or a decision that has been made that affects us, we seek out those that agree with our position and before we know it, we have an army of people on our side. The more we have on our side, the more emboldened we are to confront the person or issue with which we disagree.

For any of us who have experienced conflict in these ways, when we are honest with ourselves, we know that this approach to resolving conflict often has painful and destructive consequences. People get hurt. Relationships are broken and destroyed. Our souls are darkened with anger, bitterness, and shattered spirits.

When are we going to learn that there is a better way to handle the conflicts that plague us? When are we going to be willing to walk in the way that leads to healing instead of hurt? How many more times must we experience the pain and anguish of going against each other, before we submit to the way of walking together?

The Bible is very clear on how we are to handle our conflicts. We are to first look at ourselves and acknowledge what we bring to the conflict (Matthew 7:3-5). We are to look at each other with eyes of love and grace (Hebrews 10:24). When we have a disagreement we are to bring it to one another and sit down at the table and talk about it together (Matthew 5:23-25, Matthew 18:15-17). In the midst of the conflict make sure you speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Most problems and conflicts we face become worse because we do not invest our time in bringing reconciliation and healing. Instead we focus our time on things that make the conflict worse.

John Maxwell lists 12 ways to constructively manage conflict and 12 ways to destructively manage conflict. I'd like to share them with you...with the constructive management style first and the destructive style after: 1. Agree on a time and place to talk it out or Catch the other person off guard. 2. Assertively, honestly express your feelings or Passively suppress your feelings. 3. Focus on the problem, not the person or Personalize the disagreement. 4. Select a neutral referee or Get your friends to referee. 5. Develop a positive, mature attitude or Be negative and vindictive. 6. Search for a solution or Find someone to blame. 7. Focus on specifics or Generalize and exaggerate. 8. Be open and available or Be silent and superior. 9. Affirm your responsibility or Blame someone else. 10. When problems arise, work them out or When problems arise, walk out. 11. Listen, wait and learn or Presume, assume and dominate. 12. Forgive and forget or Stubbornly demand guarantees.

One way leads to healing, the other to hurt. Which approach do you believe God desires of you?

Loving, reconciling, God. I have handled myself poorly in the midst of conflict. I have fought for my right to be heard. I have unfairly labeled and condemned those I am supposed to love. I have fought for my way, instead of Your way. Forgive me. Create in me a heart that values love over hate; mercy over bitterness; gentleness over power; Your way over mine. Give me strength in the midst of the conflicts around me and the opportunities to be an instrument of Your healing and Your grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Way of the King

A powerful story was told in the 4th century by Athanasius, one of the most important theologians in Eastern Orthodoxy of his time, that I would like to share with you.

Once upon a time there was a good and kind king who had a great kingdom with many cities. In one distant city, some people took advantage of the freedom the king gave them and started doing evil. They profited by their evil and began to fear that the king would interfere and throw them in jail. Eventually these rebels seethed with hatred for the king. They convinced the city that everyone would be better off without the king, and the city declared its independence from the kingdom.

But soon, with everyone doing whatever they wanted, disorder reigned in the city. There was violence, hatred, lying, oppression, murder, rape, slavery, and fear. The king thought: What should I do? If I take my army and conquer the city by force, the people will fight against me, and I'll have to kill so many of them, and the rest will only submit through fear and intimidation, which will make them hate me and all I stand for even more. How does that help them - to be either dead or imprisoned or secretly seething with rage? But if I leave them alone, they'll destroy each other, and it breaks my heart to think of the pain they're causing and experiencing.

So the king did something very surprising. He took off his robes and dressed in the rags of a homeless wanderer. Incognito, he entered the city and began living in a vacant lot near a garbage dump. He took up a trade - fixing broken pottery and furniture. Whenever people came to him, his kindness and goodness and fairness and respect were so striking that they would linger just to be in his presence. They would tell him their fears and questions, and ask his advice. He told them that the rebels had fooled them, and that the true king had a better way to live, which he exemplified and taught. One by one, then two by two, and then by the hundreds, people began to have confidence in him and live in his way.

Their influence spread to others, and the movement grew and grew until the whole city regretted its rebellion and wanted to return to the kingdom again. But, ashamed of their horrible mistake, they were afraid to approach the king, believing he would certainly destroy them for their rebellion. But the king-in-disguise told them the good news: he was himself the king, and he loved them. He held nothing against them, and he welcomed them back into his kingdom, having accomplished by a gentle, subtle presence what never could have been accomplished through brute force.

God came into this world through Jesus Christ to show that there is a better way, to share with us the heart of God, to empower us to be the embodiment of Christ's love and grace in this world. Through Jesus, we discover not only personal salvation, but the salvation of the world of which we are a part. The more we learn from Jesus "the ways of the king", the more we can influence others in His ways, too.

Teach me Your ways, O God, and forgive me of my rebellious spirit. Forgive me for the times I have decided to live my life independent of You. Forgive my waywardness and take away the things, thoughts, and lifestyles that distract me from walking with You. Thank You for Your grace. Help me to commit my time to listening to You and hearing Your voice as you speak to my spirit, "This is the way...walk in it." In Jesus' holy name. Amen.

Radical Christianity

Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ!

In world news over the past two weeks, the world has watched as the protesters in Egypt have taken to the streets to demand a change in their government and to take a stand for the country they desire to see in the future. What that is going to look like and how everything will unfold is unknown to any of us. I will not get political about this issue in this setting, partly because even the brightest of politicians on all sides really have no idea how the situation in Egypt will all play out. At this point, everything is conjecture.

In the midst of all of the turmoil, there are some that are afraid that the uprisings will be a window of opportunity for radical religious groups to take over the government. While all of that remains to be seen, last week the world got a peek at the good that a radical religious group could do in such challenging situations.

A picture was taken by a photojournalist that depicted a radical group of Christians forming a human wall to protect Muslims as they prayed. Here is that picture:

I got this picture from:
http://www.myweku.com/2011/02/photo-of-the-week-christians-protecting-muslims-during-their-prayers-in-egypt/

Without getting into all of the theological differences between Christians and Muslims, I believe that this picture depicts the kind of Christianity we are called to live by Jesus. Our opinions of other faiths or other people should not keep us from extending the love and grace that Jesus Christ has extended to us.

Our current culture has a negative stereotype of radicalism. Don't get me wrong, some of the negativism is warranted as radicals have a way of creating havoc, fear, and disharmony in a multitude of different ways. The radical lives we are called to live have an opposite affect on the world around us.

The word radical is defined in three ways.

1. Departing markedly from the usual or customary; extreme

2. Favoring or effecting fundamental or revolutionary changes in current practices, conditions, or institutions

3. Arising from or going to a root or source; basic

The first two definitions are the ones we normally think of when we hear the word "radical". We think of extremists and those who seek to change the world in which we live. But, how often do we define "radical" with the third definition?

When we think of what it means to be radical Christians, it is important that we understand that in which our faith is rooted...Christ. We remember the basics of the faith we possess. We remember that our faith grows from a relationship with our Creator.

"Jesus preached love amidst hatred; unity amidst divisiveness; faith amidst the legalistic religious leaders of His day...wholeness amidst the brokenhearted; freedom amidst those held in yokes of bondage...Jesus spoke truth to power, and we, as Christians, are to do no less!" (Rev. Jerry Maneker)

I pray for the kind of faith found in those Egyptian Christians. A faith that reflects the radical nature of the One I serve. A faith that is willing to sacrifice for those who disagree with me. A faith that honors the dignity of each human being. A faith that is willing to step out in radical love because Jesus did the same for me.

This kind of radical Christianity is extreme and life changing. It's the only way this world can be radically changed and transformed for the better.

Radical God, Your love is extreme and Your grace is revolutionary. Forgive me when I have made my faith about me and what I believe, instead of about You and what You want to do in me. Give me strength to radically live my life for You...to stay rooted in Your Son, Jesus, and to stand for the Truth for which He died for me. I want to be a radical Christian that makes an eternal difference in this world for You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.