Preparation

Hunting season is right around the corner with dove season coming the first of September and archery season for deer October 1. Many hunters are getting things ready like setting up feeders, cameras, and blinds. Its amazing how much prep work goes into trying to find and attract deer to a particular area.
I often wonder if we as Christians would spend more prep time getting ready for everyday life if we would be better witnesses of the power of the resurrection of Christ? What are some things that you do to prep spiritually?

Alexander Papaderos was once asked at a university lecture, “What is the meaning of life?” He fished out a small round mirror from his wallet and he began to tell a story from his childhood. He was a small child in a poor, remote village during World War II. One day while playing he discovered the pieces of a broken mirror from a German motorcycle. He attempted to put the mirror back together, but it was impossible. So he kept the largest piece. He went on to say:

“ I began to play with it as a boy and became fascinated by that fact that I could reflect light into dark places where the sun would never shine—in deep holes and crevices and dark closets. It became a game for me to get light into the most inaccessible places I could find. I kept the little mirror, and as I went about my growing up, I would take it out in idle moments and continue the challenge of the game. As I became a man, I grew to understand that this was not just a child’s game, but a metaphor for what I might do with my life. I came to understand that I am not the light or the source of the light. But light…is there, it will only shine in many dark places if I reflect it.”

What an amazing description of what we called to do!!

Looking into the Mirror

Mirrors are fascinating objects. With a piece of glass and liquid silver, two ordinary things become an extraordinary object that reveals and reflects.

Painfully, it can reveal not only our physical faults, but it can also reveal many of our hidden faults. Faults that we feel disqualify us, or separate us from the grace of Christ. Yet, Paul is very clear in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that Christ's strength and glory are revealed in our weaknesses. I take that to mean if I can do it on my own, it doesn't tend to bring God glory. But if I live for Christ with my faults and let him make corrections were needed, he gets the glory!

Dramatically, when we are living in righteousness with God we can reflect the love and mercy and grace of Christ for others to see. Yeah, they will point out our weaknesses, yet the power of God will be undeniable.

Take a look into the mirror!

How do you define "Faith"?

How do you define the word "faith"? Have you ever thought about the way you define "faith" reveals for more about your Christianity than any other spiritual marker? For many in the American church, "faith" is defined as a set of right beliefs and right practices. "Faith" is measured by external markers such as church attendance and church giving. Faith is about a correct set of answers.
But what if we were define "faith" as the desire for a total life chasing after God and a desire to make God famous with love to others in Christ's name? How would you measure up to that "faith"? "Faith" then becomes not a practice of the mind (like a trivia game with rewards for right answers), but a journey of the heart and soul. It is measured by the reflection of your faith in the lives of others. Does that reflection look like Christ?

Do Something

Erwin McManus in his book Chasing Daylight spends a great deal of time challenging believers to just do something. Often times, we become paralyzed trying to figure out what God wants us to do when God is waiting for us to do what we already know.
This is illustrated by the incredible rescue of an abducted girl in California yesterday by a man who recognized the pickup from a news report. Rather than waiting around, he did something and rescued the girl. Read the story here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39533885/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

Why don't you just do something right today?

A Time To Pray

This past Wednesday, our students and adults met at school flagpoles to pray. What did we pray for? Change. Change of hearts; change of minds. We asked God to reveal himself. But hopefully the reality has set in that a one time prayer at one time a year event is not sufficient.
The challenge is to pray daily for change. Not a cursory prayer over dinner or before bedtime, but dedicated moments through the day when we beg and plead with God for change. The time is now!!

A Change of Attitude

What do you do about a bad attitude? I mean, when everything just seems to stink and you are having a tough time finding anything positive to say, what do you do?
First, you have to identify why you have that attitude in the first place. Is it from a lack of rest, a lack of communication/communion with God, or a spiritual battle in your life? Second, once you identify where the attitude is coming from, take steps to correct it. Get some rest, spend time with God, find someone you trust to talk to. Third, when all else fails, read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Take time and name 5 things you are thankful for.