Catalyst

Wow, how long has it been since I have written anything? Too long. I have a lot of things rolling around in my head. God has been doing some amazing things in my life. I just returned from Catalyst in Atlanta. It challenged me, encouraged me, and moved me in ways that I have not had in years. I am still trying to take it all in and process what I have heard. Then comes the question of, "What do I do with what I have heard?" The one thing that I do know is that God is amazing, awesome, great, merciful, giving, generous, loving, etc..
I believe that God is definately doing something in this young generation and I want to be a part of what God is up to. I heard a speaker this weekend that said, "Quit praying, 'God bless me' and start praying, 'God let me be a part of what your blessing.'" We must seek the Kingdom of God! There was so much good stuff that I couldn't talk about it all in one sitting, mainly because I am still taking it all in.
One other point that I remember is that there has been a lot said about the church, Christ bride, in the last few years. There seems to be more said on the negative side than positive. It is one thing for the main stream culture to put down the bride, but its another for the body of Christ, followers of Christ to do it also. Now I would be lying if I said that I have never done this. As followers of Christ we have all probably at one time or another been guilty of this. We get fed up with things going on in the church or with leaders in the church (those that are leading) and we put those feelings on the church as a whole. That's not fair to Christ and His bride. As one speaker put it, "God wants you to love the REAL church not the ideal one." That statement blew me away, because I have been guilty of loving the ideal one instead of the real church. When I focus on the REAL church there is nothing that I can complain about (or shouldn't complain about because it is perfect, I am the one imperfect). May I lift up the beautiful bride of Christ.

theology of a five year old

The other day my daughter and I where talking about trusting God and not being afraid because God was with us. The conversation began with us talking about the thunder storm and how she was afraid of the loud thunder. I asked her who made the thunder. She told me God. I asked her if God loved her. She told me yes, BUT then said something that made me stop. She said, "I know daddy that Jesus is here, but it's hard because I don't see His skin (as she was pointing to hers)." It made me think, "Are we being the skin of Christ to those around us?" How many people reject Christ because of us not being who He intended us to be through our words and actions. Let us truely be the skin of Christ to those around us and see lives changed.

Going on Tour Next Month...

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!Having too much fun!

Needed

Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for
you know that nothing you do
for the Lord is ever useless.

-1 Corinthians 15:58b

I read this verse today and it was just what I needed (although I had to read it several times for it to sink in). Thanks God, your the best!

To become or not to become is the question

Do we spend way too much time thinking about the things that we do wrong in our lives (sin)? Should we deal with that sin(s) and move on rather than sit in our own pity party and not move forward with who God intended us to be. The way I understand it, when we become a follower of Christ we are reborn, rebirthed, made new. The old-self is no longer the number one influence, God should be. We are given a new life in Christ; "Dead to sin, alive to God" -Romans 6:11. Now I'm not saying that we will never sin again, I'm dead to sin (that life that controlled me), but not ignorant of it. When I sin I need to admit, confess, praise God for that forgiveness, and make it right with anyone that I have hurt. Then move on to living the way God intended for me to live. The cool thing is that God does forgive and doesn't want me to wallow in my sin, but rather MOVE ON to the life that He has for me, the NEW LIFE. It's kinda like us never wanting to move past a liquid diet to a more solid diet that fills you up. Maybe that's why so many people that call themselves Christians never seem to mature, they never want to go beyond the liquid to the solid. Lets encourage one another to be the person God intended or better yet created us to be.

Telling it like it is

"We have to care more about reaching people (for Jesus) than about obeying man's stupid rules because that's what they are."
-Craig Groeschel, Senior Pastor of LifeChurch.tv
(italics added for emphasis)

life

Life. True Life is what God wants to give us. Not easy life, but true life with all its bumps and bruises, and also victories and wins. Last night I was discussing with others the the video by Nooma called Rhythm. In it Rob Bell talks about a song that has been playing since the beginning of time. The song of God. Everyone hears it, even if they try and deny it. You see all of us plays a song, our life song. The question isn't if we are playing a song, rather the question is are we in tune with God's song. As I was thinking about that last night and today I have been asking God what areas of my life are out of tune with you? As leaders in the church we must be willing to wrestle with and ask ourselves the same questions that we are asking others to face. I don't want to become just someone who asks all the questions, but never struggles with those same questions myself. Leaders lead. God, I hear Your song all around me and I hear it being played in my life, show where I need to be more in tune with You.