Well let me start by saying merry Christmas. You know we all should stop and remember what the holiday is all about. I am one of the crazy people that do last min shopping on the couple of days before Christmas, as I was our the other day I was amazed at how many people seem to have forgot or has never heard the true meaning of Christmas. This is a time to be happy about the birth of Christ. You know there are more people worried about what there going to get or get someone it seems than showing the true meaning of Christmas. We as Christ followers/ Christians should be the first to show Christ. I had a teen ask me why did so many people turn from the church since sept 11. This what I told her there was a big increase of people looking for truth after sept 11 and some church’s saw an increase of people looking for God but after al while as we know the church saw a decline. Why because the people got the same thing at church that caused most of them to leave in the frost place. What is that you might say well how about that legalistic christianity that is no
Way biblical, how about those people who clam to be Christians being so judgmental and hypocritical of them, how about that you fit into our mold because we have always been this way and we are not going to change mentality that most church I have been around have. Maybe they saw and realized they did need another club they wanted something bigger and because we as Christians were not prepared we missed it. So the question I am going to leave you with is do the people you come across daily the people you talk to and interact with do they see Christ in you or do they see you.
Things to think about
Super heros
Right know in our house if you were to come visit you would be greeted by spider man. Yea spidie is at our house all the time. It’s kind of funny that the people in the neighborhood know us as the parents of spiderman. I got to thinking how when I was a child my favorite hero was superman. Yea I had the cape and wore a lot. It’s funny how we as little kids look to superheroes, we just want to have the ability to help others. When do we lose that? You and I know that thousands of people went out shopping today to get the best sales ever and I would say most was bought for ourselves not others. How many stopped today and help someone instead of being so self absorbed to care? Well you and I who claim to be Christians are suppose to a represent Christ. We should look at this like a child wanting to be like there favorite super hero. We should want to be as much like Christ as possible. After all he is the greatest superhero ever, there is not another that holds a candle to Him. So go out and be as much like Christ as possible.
The light
Ever since the time change I have had to run in the dark two times a week. This is kind of cool because I have been running trails and roads with a headlamp and flashlight. This also makes Sat long run look really good because I get to do those during the day time:)
Tonight as I was running I got to thinking how our Christian walk is like my running in the dark. We are surrounded by darkness so dark you can not see 4 ft away from the light. However as long as we stay in the light we can keep on the right trail, path or road. As Christians we are surrounded by darkness, but as long as we are focused on the light of Christ we can keep going with out getting lost in the night. Some times our light gets dim and we have a hard time seeing were we are to go just like running on trails in the dark with just a head lamp. It is so easy to lose the trail because you are so focused on the path right in front of you you dont look for the trail signs. We get that way in our walks with Christ we get so focused on where we are and how things are going on right around us that we forget sometimes to look for the obvious directions from God.
We all need to remember that its the narrow path that leads to Christ and that we need to stay in the light to follow that path.
Paddle Boarding
I had the opportunity to go paddle boarding while on vacation. I had never done this before and I got to do it twice. The first time was on the river and the second in the ocean. The 1st time I went with Three Brothers boards, while we were paddling RJ said look a manatee so I paddle over to see and as I got close He paddled off and said it is not a manatee. I looked and it looked like Shark. That day the wind got pretty bad so it made the 1st time more difficult. Well that day I did not fall and had a blast.
You know we should look at Sin the same way RJ looked at the shark. We Should paddle/ RUN away from it not play around it.
The second time like stated earlier was in the ocean and I went on this trip with the hotel we were staying in. This group was not as professional as Three Brothers. He taught us for what seemed 10 min. about how to paddle and how to stand on the board ( totally different from what I was taught earlier that week). So he tell us to all grab a board and go into the water. I reached and picked up the board and turned it over and it was PINK really PINK. So we got out in the ocean and our guide started to SHOW us how to do it. Well his 1st stroke and he fell right off his board. It was all I could do to not laugh. Well after an hour I got tired and went back in. While I was out there it was so much different from the river due to the waves and wind but it was still amazing.
We have to be careful as Christians to got get big-headed like the guide I had on the second trip and think we know it all. We will never totally understand everything about God, and I think that is wonderful. What good would God be if I could understand Him completely. Let me just say He would not be very big, and my God is BIG. Think about it
Random Thoughts
Well it has been a while since my last post. This last week My family went on vacation at Ormond Beach Fl. While we were there we went to church at Beach side church. The pastor was teaching threw the book of ACTS. He made a statement to not let your past dictate your future. That God could use you no matter what if you allow him.
Also while we were there I got to watch our little guy try new things. He went boogie boarding for the 1st time. He was so nervous and uncomfortable but he tried it any way and loved it. You know we are that way sometimes with God. He wants us to try or do something new/different but we say man that make me very uneasy I am not doing it maybe He will ask someone else and we leave it there. Image what would happen if we would have just tried it. It may have been the greatness most enjoyable thing we have ever done. Don’t be hesitant with what God wants you to do no matter how uncomfortable it makes you.
What we as Christians can learn form Children
Over the past couple of months I have been watching my son and how he interacts with other children. It does not matter if we take him to Micky D’s or the christian chicken he does not meet a stranger. He will play with anyone close to his age and talk to them as he as know them forever. He is so funny because when you tell him it is time to go he does not want to leave his BEST friends. Man does he bond quick. He was a workout class this week and a little girl was upset because her mom went outside and he sat next to her and held her hand and told her it was OK her mom would be back. If there is a baby crying in any store we are in he wants to know what happened and how he can help. Man can we learn from this we as Christians should have the same mindset. I have hear so many Christians say they cant and wont share the gospel because they just feel uncomfortable talking to people. We should have the mindset of a child and look at it as not meeting a stranger but being able to make a life long friend and tell them about Christ. So we can share eternity with them. We should be concerned about others just like my little guy. We should be happy when people are happy, and sad when people are sad. Thing about how often do you share the gospel or how often are you concerned about a stranger.
Christian strides
I have been running with some people in our church after meetings on Wed and Sun nights. This last sun our group grew by 1 &1/2. As we were running I got to thinking. Dangerous I know. We had two out front , then me pushing my little guy in a stroller, and then another and I got to thinking how our running and the Christian walk is kinda a like. The two up front trudging on to reach their goal one working a little harder than the other it seemed, but both helping each other to the end. Me and my little one being like the Christian who helps guide and push the younger newer Christian in the right path. The the last one is like the Christian who is struggling to hold on who is going through tough times, but still holding on. Having to walk a little because it is so hard , but they keep on going toward the goal. They still put in as much effort as the others. Were are you right now because we all go through all the stages. Think about it. If you would like to come run with us come ahead.
Worship
Wed we talked about Nicodemus in the Gospel of John and how much God loves us. Then for some strange reason the topic went to worship. It is funny how we can go crazy at football and baseball games but when we go to church to worship God we look like we are bumps on a stump no excitement at all. The only emotion that is seen is the emotion of misery. Why is that we should be as excited about worship more than we are about any sporting event. I got to thinking about this today of all days because baseball season starts today. I know people who have been looking forward to this day for weeks. Why is it that we plan around things like this but we say we can not go to church because we are too busy. We need to remember that God loved us so much he gave His Son to die for us. Die for you and me. He truly loves you. We want a spiritual awaking in america so why dont we start it. Lets get a little excited.
Thoughts
This is just going to be a download. Not really sure what to post. This last Wed I taught a lesson on being Genuine or being a full of fluff Christian. I think I got my point across but I am not sure. Why is it so easy to play Christian? It seems like people would understand it is more than a Wed/ Sun thing. This is one of the things that just eats me alive to see people playing and not being genuine. There is going to be a lot of people shocked when they come before Christ and he say I never knew you. I agree with our pastor in the fact IT IS TIME TO GET EXCITED ABOUT CHRIST!!!
Bible Study 03/02/11 lesson
Things you need:
1. A Bible, notebook, pen
2. A prayer list
3. A quite place
4. A set time
5. The mind set that the Holy Spirit will work through your study.
Guidelines:
1. Pray asking God to show you something in your study.
2. Decide what book/person you want to study.
3. Meditate/ think about what you read. Just read blocks of scripture at a time.
4. Share with someone what you learned
5. Be obedient to God and put what you learned into practice
How do you do it:
Read and reread the block of scripture.
ask the who, what , where and why questions about the scripture
Dig in
Ask how can I apply these scriptures to my life. How do these scriptures effect you.
Observe what is going on in the passage and try to understand the basic facts of the passage
Ask God to show you what the meaning of the scripture is.
I hope this has helped. Remember we can all read the about the structure of a cell and how it works, but unless you study it you can t apply it.
