“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”- Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

One night I was sitting at the gas station, watching the dollars turn faster than the gallons being pumped, when another car pulled up. A woman stopped next to me and pleaded for a couple gallons of gas so she could get home. Without thinking I gave her a quick, no.  The disheartened woman drove off to ask the other people filling up, and with that a sick feeling hit my stomach. I started to think why didn’t I help her? I wasn’t in a hurry, and did have the extra thirty bucks fill her gas tank and maybe even fill her spiritual tank too. My heart ached all the way home. I had missed an opportunity to serve God. I had put my own distrust of people before my trust in God. The moment turned my heart. God gives us moments in the every day to shine his light. To listen to his leading and to influence and encourage for Christ those placed in our paths.

Prayer: Lord, give me the patience and compassion to see your eternal work in my daily life.

When you’re asked to get involved in a service project, what’s the first thing that pops into your head? Is it “SURE, I’d Love to,” or is it one of these three things:

- I Don’t have Time
- Someone else will volunteer
-OR-
- That’s Not what I do

Many of us revert to an early Moses or Jacob mentality, where we find ourselves fighting against God when it comes to service. We focus on our short comings to give us excuses not to make an effort. But if we look at the later actions of Moses and Jacob, we can see the convicting impact of all they did in our faith. So what’s the difference between these pillars of our faith and little old us?

In one word: Nothing

They were just as human as we are, had the same insecurities, same doubts, same worries, so how did they do it?

Well the church answer is faith, but we can break it down further into:

Reliance
Trust
-AND-
Prayer

Reliance, that God will provide the time and the opportunity to make an impact for God, and when I say impact that doesn’t have to mean the Hiroshima of revivals. But can often mean many small acts of faith putting a dent in the barriers that surround us.

Then there is trusting, that God values and will work through your efforts. At church on Sundays, I get so encouraged by a gentleman that sets up our pastor’s chair, table, and laptop. He is doing something so simple, most of us have no idea who he is, and yet he is instrumental to our pastor’s message. I know at times I would be lost without my notes or laptop, and I’m sure Pastor Gregg would say the same. So God works in that man every Sunday, and can do the same in you on a daily basis if you are willing.

And the last piece is Prayer, to ask and listen to His Guidance in our outward steps of Faith. EPH6:18 says , “And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests with this in mind, Be alert and always keep praying for all the saints.
I hope you make the effort to pray in your daily lives.

God will give each of us the courage, ability, and often the energy to step out in service. We just need to be aware of the needs that surround us and be willing to step away from our insecurities.

I encourage you to examine your attitude toward service and the needs of the people in your lives. Because, if Moses never made the effort to examine the burning bush, our faith and our world could be in a different place.

Which of the three excuses do you struggle with? (You can answer with more than one)

What does that say about your reliance, trust, and/or prayer relationship with God?

Who encourages you the most in the act of service?

Other encouraging verses:
Ephesians 4:16
Romans 13:11-13
Philippians 4:13
Mark 12:41-44

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christensen, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States. Dr. Christensen taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his freshman year, regardless of his or her major.

Although Dr. Christensen tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.

This year, Dr. Christensen had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor’s class.

One day, Dr. Christensen asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. “How many push-ups can you do?” Steve said, “I do about 200 every night.”

“200? That’s pretty good, Steve,” Dr. Christensen said. “Do you think you could do 300?”
Steve replied, “I don’t know…. I’ve never done 300 at a time.”

“Do you think you could?” again asked Dr. Christensen.

“Well, I can try,” said Steve.

“Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it,” said the professor.

Steve said, “Well… I think I can…yeah, I can do it.”

Dr. Christensen said, “Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind.”

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren’t the normal kinds of donuts, they were the BIG, extra fancy kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls.

Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the year, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christensen’s class.

Dr. Christensen went to the first girl in the first row and asked, “Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?” Cynthia said, “Yes.”

Dr. Christensen then turned to Steve and asked, “Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?” “Sure.” Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christensen put a donut on Cynthia’s desk.

Dr. Christensen then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, “Joe, do you want a donut?” Joe said, “Yes.” Dr. Christensen asked, “Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?” Steve did ten push-ups! , Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their donut.

Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christensen came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.

When the professor asked, “Scott do you want a donut?” Scott’s reply was, “Well, can I do my own push-ups?” Dr. Christensen said, “No, Steve has to do them.” Then Scott said, “Well, I don’t want one then.”

Dr. Christensen shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, “Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn’t want?” With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push-ups. Scott said, “HEY! I said I didn’t want one!”

Dr. Christensen said, “Look! this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don’t want it.” And he put a donut on Scott’s desk.

Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down . You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.

Dr. Christensen started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christensen asked Jenny, “Jenny, do you want a donut?” Sternly, Jenny said, “No.” Then Dr. Christensen asked Steve, “Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn’t want?” Steve did ten….Jenny got a donut.

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say
“No” and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks.

Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

Dr. Christensen asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn’t bear to watch all of Steve’s work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.

Dr. Christensen started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.

Dr. Christensen went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.> Steve asked Dr Christensen, “Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?”

Dr. Christensen thought for a moment, “Well, they’re your push-ups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want.” And Dr. Christensen went on.

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, “NO! Don’t come in! Stay out!”

Jason didn’t know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, “No, let him come.” Professor Christensen said, “You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him?” Steve said, “Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut.”

Dr. Christensen said, “Okay, Steve, I’ll let you get Jason’s out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?” Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. “Yes,” he said, “give me a donut.” “Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?” Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.

Dr. Christensen finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve’s arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.

The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christensen went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, “Linda, do you want a donut?”; Linda said, very sadly, “No, thank you.” Professor Christensen quietly asked, “Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn’t want?” Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.

Then Dr Christensen turned to the last girl, Susan. “Susan, do you want a donut?” Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. “Dr. Christensen, why can’t I help him?”

Dr. Christensen, with tears of his own, said, “No, Steve has to do it alone. I have given him this task, and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work.

Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes.”

“Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?” As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Dr. Christensen turned to the room and said. “And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, ‘Into Thy hands I commend My spirit.’ With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten.”

Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.

“Well done, good and faithful servant,” said the professor, adding “Not all sermons are preached in words.”

Turning to his class, the professor said, “My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid.” “Wouldn’t you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?”

Engraved in the façade of a building I see on my commute is the above statement. It struck me as an interesting saying to be on a bank building, but then I got to thinking about it and that’s a pretty sad little motto.

If virtue and purity come from money then why are the rich in the trashy headlines the most? Someone’s in rehab, someone’s caught drunk driving, so on and so forth. The very fact that the rich (in some cases) are not virtuous is how the papers make their money. SO how can we rephrase this statement?

COMPASSION is the mother of virtue
TRUTH is the mother of virtue
KINDNESS, SELF CONTROLL, insert any fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22) and virtue, joy, grace, and righteousness result.

May you be rich in truth, hope, and make the source known, Jesus Christ!

When I read or hear the Easter story one portion sticks to my heart and brings tears to my eyes; Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane.

Have you ever been to Gethsemane? Not the actual garden in Israel, but the place Christ’s heart was on that night? The name Gethsemane means ‘oil press’ a place of squeezing oil from the olives. A place where ones soul is pushed, crushed, and pressed to its breaking point.
On the night Christ went to the garden he knew Judas had betrayed him, he knew Caiaphas would send him to Pilot, he knew the Roman guards would mock and torture him, he knew his own people would choose to free a murder over him, he knew how heavy the cross was, he knew every rock and stumbling point on the path to Golgotha, he knew how his body would ache for breath on the cross, he knew the bitterness of vinegar, and yet in those moments he prayed for YOU!

‘…I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.’ –John 17:23-24

He prayed for your hearts, for your life and for your soul. In the midst of the pain that would come his unending love made his heart long for you to know him. To know his love, and his desires for you.

It is heartbreaking and encouraging to know in Christ’s last breaths and final moments he was thinking of YOU!

“Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” –Luke 23:34

No matter how long you have been a Christian the time comes that we turn from God, if only for a moment, or one choice decision, but to go to Gesthemane and be broken and pressed with Christ is to know his heart was for you, and for all God’s children. Do not be afraid to be pressed on all sides, for Christ is the restorer, the forgiver, and the lover of our souls.

Which would you say represents your walk with Christ? The sit and wait of a parking lot, or the passion and excitement of the launch pad?

Have you ever had an interview or a meeting to go to where you found yourself scared to get out of your car? So you sit there in you car waiting for the chance to get out of why you’re there. The rapture is about to happen or maybe they’ll call and cancel at the last minute, so you won’t have to get out of your car.

Probably something we can all relate to, but does it represent your faith too? Does fear rule your faith and hinder the passion and blessings God has for you?

Christianity can be a scary thing. The expectation of being perfect, and that every unbeliever is watching you. It’s pretty intimidating, BUT those are not the expectations of you but the expectations of God with you. God is the only one, who’s perfect, and we are still human, Christian or not, so mistakes and slip ups will happen. But it’s the faith and hope we find in God that separates us from everyone else. And this is something that is bigger than your sedan or suburban. So get of the car and out on the launch pad.

Now what does life entail on the launch pad. Does that mean I have to sell everything I own and rush off to the remotest spot in Africa or Indonesia? Well no, it means being ready to serve and be active in your faith.

When N.A.S.A. says they are going to have a launch, months upon months are spent in preparing before the shuttle even gets to the launch pad. Those preparations are for you to grow in your knowledge of God’s word and strengthen your prayer life and faith. Just thinking about launching into a lifestyle of love, forgiveness, kindness, self control is exciting, even if the ship never enters the final count down.

I encourage you to make your Christian walk like the N.A.S.A. space launch prep. You are meant to step our and serve the world in small or big ways so get out of the parking lot and embrace the passion and excitement of faith. This ain’t no spectator sport. J

Be Blessed and Encouraged!

Guess what ladies and gentlemen, it’s MARCH!!! And what comes in March? SPRING, you got it.

I always find it humorous that when spring comes around we feel the need to shake off the old and get into the new. We clean out closets, actually do a thorough cleaning job, and work on the landscape in the yard, just to make everything as fresh as the season.

And why do we do this every spring or so? Well when it’s all done, and the clutter is gone we get this feeling of great achievement. But how long does it last? Maybe a month, a week, a day. The clutter will return, and we will look forward to the next time we spring clean, because of that same feeling.

But what about spring cleaning your heart?

Have you ever thought about digging through bad attitudes, pessimism, fears, doubts, and bitterness to start fresh with God? Most of the time I don’t even realize when I’m holding on to those dangerous feelings. And yes these and many others are dangerous cause the cause us to push away from our reliance on God. They are the awkward moments in a friendship/relationship that you don’t know which way this is going to go.

If you take the time to sit down and talk to God about what’s going on in your mind and heart, HE WILL LISTEN! Can you imagine what kind of feeling would come with that kind of spring cleaning?

I find it invigorating, convicting, inspiring, and a relief to work through those things holding my faith back. A chance to step forward hand in hand with God to be affective for his Kingdom, the goal of all our Christian walks.

Have you ever thought about it that way? The goal of your life as a Christian is to know God, worship God, and spread God’s word.

I encourage you to take the time to spring clean your heart, and evaluate your relationship with God. It will be a humbling experience, but the peace that comes with holding tight to Christ is better than when you’re house has experienced spring cleaning.

Who defines you the world, yourself, or God

If I were to ask you, who are you, what would be your answer? Would you pull out your driver’s license and read off your name, address, height, weight, date of birth and eye color? Or would you start to tell me about your family and your job?

Granted all these things tell me about parts of you, but it doesn’t tell me who you are. It is a troubling thing to try to define ourselves, because we often look to how the world wishes to place us in boxes to answer such a question.

It is humorous to jump on My Space or other blog websites and see the listings under ones profile. They want to know if you are single or married, if you have children or don’t have children, if you are educated or uneducated. These and many more are the labels we place on people, so that we may set them in a box, a stereotype, or a self made ideal of who this person may or may not be. It truly doesn’t seem fair, for these things are only a glimpse of who we are.

One box of the world cannot contain you, for you can be the doctor, the church-goer, and the mom or dad. But we often hold these individual titles so close to our hearts that when any of them change or are taken away we loose ourselves to the world. Doubt and depression sink in for we are hopeless without a box or title to define us. We struggle to regain ourselves to fit back in a box in order to feel valued in our society, but why when all these categories can be taken away.

Daily in the news, our neighborhood, and nuclear families we see things change. Laws and standards are changed with each passing year. Layoffs and lotteries change a person and those they care for. So why do we hold to these boxes to define ourselves? Why do we give these definitions so much value when we are told that “we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Timothy 6:7).

I know this seems like a depressing thought, but it’s not if your heart is in God’s box. Yes I’ve just told you not to place yourself in a box, but the difference is you can define yourself in this box. You don’t have to divide your time between the doctor box, the church-goer box, and the parent box. Christianity can be you definition.

If I were to walk up to you on the street and say I am a Christian, you would already know so much about me. You would know about my integrity, the condition of my heart, that I spend time in God’s word, and follow the example and teachings of Christ. Granted I’m not perfect, but you would know the standards I hold myself too. The standards in which I live, work, play, and hope to stand before God and hear him say, “well done good and faithful servant.”(Matthew 25:21)

What an amazing thing to hold that banner high, and know that your profession, your service, and your family can be part of Christ. And no matter the changes in your job, marital status, family size, or income you know who you are. You can take comfort in the God that knew you from before you were conceived. The God that knows your heart, your talents, your passions, your needs and concerns. He values every part of you. For no matter how we might choose to change the definition of ourselves, God does not change.

So in some ways God is what art portrays him as, an old man. An old man stuck in his ways, stubborn, knowing his way is the best way. Wanting you to grow strong, remember his stories and his love for you. God wants to be your definition above all things, so that he can bless your heart and draw you close in his arms.

If I were to ask you now, who are you, what would be your answer? Would you shout at the top of your lungs that you are a child of God? Or does the box of Christianity seem scary and unattainable?

But there is good news. The ‘Box’ of Christianity does not hold perfect people. It holds those that know they mess up, know they are a sinful people, and know if they repent they will be forgiven. It’s not an unattainable box, just one that requires you to sacrifice the things of this world for the blessings God can provide. And trust me he can overflow the box.
© 2007

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. –Philippians 4:6

In the last few weeks I seem to be surrounded by messages, sermons, and bible studies that highlight prayer. This is no coincident. There is a lot going on in my life right now, and the one place I need to go is often the last place I find myself; on my knees in prayer.

I am often amazed by the people in my life that are able to go straight to prayer without a tantrum or frustration. Though I’ve been a Christian for fourteen years now, going to God in prayer is a hard thing for me to do. It requires a level of faith that I have a hard time achieving on a daily basis. Sure I pray daily, but often I don’t take that time seriously. It is just a routine, an obligation to my faith, and that is what has shocked me about my prayer life in the last few weeks.

It’s amazing to look back over my life and see God pushing me to my knees. Not with happy moments at first, but a spinal disease, seizures, bad college grades, and persistent job loss have been the events to break down my stubborn and willful self. And each time, when I have no hope left, God lifts me out of it through amazing times of prayer. It was those times that I’m broken into so many little pieces that I felt so in tune with God.

OUCH! You know that realization really hurts a bit. Why can’t I be at that point of faith constantly? I can’t even imagine what amazing things that would do for my relationships, faith, and my writing. I think part of it is laziness, or the way my minds runs off on tangents in the most inopportune moments. But it is something I need to change, now.

How is your prayer life? Have you taken the time to evaluate your conversations with God? Take the time to have a real heart to heart with Him. Go past the superficial layers of prayer to the prayers, petitions and thanksgivings of you heart. He longs to hear you speak to him intimately so you can be at a place to hear his words for you life.

If prayer is a struggle for you, and you don’t know where to start of what to say, maybe this acronym will help.
Adoration – Praise God for who he is!
Confession – Tell God about the struggles and sins that have crossed your path
Thanksgiving- Thank God for all the things he has provided for you
Supplication- Let God know what is on your heart

This is not a perfect formula for prayer, because prayer is a personal thing between you and God. But this acronym is a way to get started. Take the time this week to sit down with God, get on your knees even, and don’t be afraid to shed a few tears. God will be there to lift you head and dry your tears with his loving hands.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for who you are, and the infinite patience you give to us daily. Your grace and love is never ending, and falls to your children no matter where our hearts often stray. Lord I ask for you to revel to our hearts the importance of prayer, and give us the faith and submission to come to our knees. Let our hearts be refreshed and encourage by time in your presence Lord, may prayer become our addiction and something we long for in our daily lives. Shed blessings and encouragement on your children, oh Lord. Amen.

A man took his children to a restaurant.

His six-year-old son asked if he could say grace.As they bowed their heads he said, “God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!”

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, the family heard a woman remark, “That’s what’s wrong with this country. Kids today don’t even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!”

Hearing this, his son burst into tears and asked, “Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?”As the man held his son and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table.

He winked at the young boy and said, “I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.”"Really?” the boy asked.”Cross my heart,” the man replied.Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), “Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.”

Naturally, the father bought his kids ice cream at the end of the meal. The son stared at his for a moment, and then did something the family will remember the rest of their lives.

The boy picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, “Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already.”