Finally Caught 28 February 2008
Posted by spamynetwork in Uncategorized.add a comment
So, I fought and fought, trying not to get caught (hey, that rhymes!) by the flu or bronchitis or any other nasty bug. People at work have been out with the flu and bronchitis, not to mention those who have been sick at church. I haven’t felt quite right over the last three weeks (like I’ve ever been right), and last night my body finally succumbed to whatever was attacking it. I tried to stick out a full day at work, but that just wasn’t happening. My temp continued to increase until I finally decided to go to the doc. After almost going into a seizure (or so they say) I was seen and diagnosed with strep throat (not sure where that came from), lots of congestion in my lungs, and probably the flu.
I sort of have this motto about life – go big or go home. It is at times like these, however, when I wish I could just choose the not-so-big go home option. Anyway, a couple of days of antibiotics, and I should be good to go.
Until then, take lots of Vitamin C and sanitize EVERYthing.
Evangelism and Christian Life… 27 February 2008
Posted by spamynetwork in School.add a comment
For those who don’t know, I’m currently going to school to obtain a BS in Religion. I’m almost finished with an Evangelism and Christian Life class, and I can’t begin to describe how God has used this class to change my outlook on ministry and Christian life. Just last week one of our assignments was to watch three “The Way of the Master” witnessing clips (www.wayofthemaster.com). We were to pick one and comment if you would have added to the presenter’s statements or a thought you felt necessary to reinforce. One of the clips was “How to witness to someone who is gay?” The clip contained footage of Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort witnessing to homosexuals and explaining some different approaches that can be used while witnessing to them. One guy in my class responded openly about having issues with homosexuals. He was very honest and said that he “find(s) them disgusting”. Although he acknowledged his struggle with this and admitted he was going to have to work on this with God, his comment really got me thinking about how the body of Christ as a whole treats the issue of homosexuality.
My goal in the statements below is not to debate about the technicalities of homosexuality. The Word of God states that this is a sin…period. I am not in any way creating an exception to the Word of God. I believe it to be true cover to cover…without question. I do believe we as Christ-followers can glean some insight on how to witness to those affected by homosexuality if we will just take the time to look a little closer at the situation without any stereotypes or predetermined opinions. After all, we witness to a person, not to a sin.
I believe as Christ-followers we have weighted the sin of homosexuality, viewing it as a ‘bigger’ or worse sin than others. As a result of this, we have become uncomfortable and/or threatened when interacting with a homosexual. We are so focused on the act of homosexuality that we fail to see the person held captive by homosexuality. They are NO different from someone who is held captive by habitual lying.
It is important for us to not get into a debate with someone who is homosexual while witnessing (or just talking) with them. Second Tim 2:24-26 reads, “And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” When they allude to being “born this way”, we need not even travel down the road into a debate with them. Truth is we are ALL born into sin – for some it’s gluttony, for some it’s lust (heterosexual or homosexual), and for some it’s covetousness. To be born is to be born into sin.
We must remember that we are witnessing to a lost and dying world. The people we encounter are LOST. I looked up the definition in several different places, and this is what I came up with.
Lost is:
• Having gone astray or missed the way; bewildered as to place, direction (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/lost)
• Unable to find the way (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lost)
• Confused as to time or place or personal identity (http://www.wordreference.com/definition/lost)
My prayer is that we keep these definitions in mind when interacting with any nonbeliever. May we always remember that we are reaching out to those who have been taken captive by the enemy, and may we never forget we are not above any sin. We are told in Colossians 2:8 that we as Christ-followers can be taken captive; therefore, we must “See to it that no one takes you captive…” Let’s stop treating the lost as though they have a disease and reach out in love, sharing the great gift Jesus Christ has extended to each of us.
Working Together 24 February 2008
Posted by spamynetwork in Church.1 comment so far
The church I attend is in the process of remodeling an old Wal-Mart building to make it our church home. Today, my small group had the privilege to help out in the new building. We started off the day by picking up tile that had been scraped off of the floor and sweeping all of the hallways. We then moved on to painting. That was hilarious. We were some painting fools today. If you’ve never seen an 18″ roller on a 16ft pole operated by a 50 year old woman while painting a 20ft high wall, you certainly have missed an entertaining experience. At on point we had 5 women, each with their own roller, painting on one of the nursery walls at one time. It’s amazing no one got rolled…or knocked out by the poles. I absolutely love this group of women. Our group has so much diversity (divorced, married, single, 25 yr-olds to 55 yr-olds), yet we all fit together just right. That’s the great thing about the body of Christ - unity through diversity. People who otherwise would have nothing in common and who would never seek a relationship with one another find themselves blessed through intimate friendships built on the common ground of Jesus. I couldn’t think of a better group of women to do life with.
Separated to the Gospel 22 February 2008
Posted by spamynetwork in Christian Life.add a comment
When God gives you a vision and purpose for your life, it will seem impossible to accomplish. Never once in the Bible did God call His people to do something that they could do within their own ability (strength and/or knowledge). God’s vision for our lives will always be far beyond anything we could ever hope to accomplish. It will be BIG. The only way to fulfill the visions He gives us is keeping our eyes on Him…serving no one other than Him (not ourselves, not our loved ones or our enemies, not the people we are reaching, not those who help us along the way - NO ONE). Our service to Him will indeed feed others around us. We must separate ourselves to the Gospel. Once we commit ourselves to the work God has for us, we must be willing to do whatever it takes. Although the attack from the evil one is bound to intensify, take heart in knowing you’ve been called by the Sovereign Lord.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-20, 24 (Amplified) says “19Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit; 20Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning]. 24Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you].”
He is faithful to do what He says He will do. When we face walls - dead ends - may we push through them with a boldness and confidence that only comes from Almighty God.
2 Pet 1:3 says “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”
I do not doubt the name of the Lord will be exalted in all the nations of the earth (Psalm 46:10)…in His perfect timing. Our individual involvement depends on our willingness to be obedient and our actions of obedience. Remember, faith without works is dead!
Let us not be discouraged, but instead “rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us” (Romans 5:3-5a). When we look around and see that we are being mocked, degraded, or rejected, may we look to Jesus Himself for comfort, for He knows how it feels to be ridiculed by His own people - Luke 4:24 “…no prophet is accepted in his hometown.”
May we press forward in the face of adversity and do as Paul and Timothy tell us in Phil 3:13-14. “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
So let’s press on!
