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.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
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.
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.
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