Praying like the kids

(and a little child shall lead them)

A while back our church held a worship event on a Friday night for the middle school and high school kids. There was music, teaching, fun and hanging out. It was all good…and our daughter had a great time. When I arrived for pick up, the event was still going on and I got to see one of the coolest things ever. The teacher for the evening was leading all the kids through an organized prayer time…small groups had formed up and the kids were praying en masse for the lost people of the world.

“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:17

The kids were following the directions of the leader…yet their enthusiasm was genuine. As believers themselves they desperately wanted their friends, their neighbors and yes, people all across the globe to have the chance to hear the good news about Jesus. Jesus himself knew that children often set a marvelous example of faith for all of us. Their faith is real, pure and uncluttered…too often ours is ragged, mixed up and lost in a sea of busyness.

Let’s learn from kids...the same way they help us relive swing sets and cotton candy and old cartoons. The joy they feel is the same joy we once felt. The newness of faith was that new for us as well. Our salvation is just as transformative today as it was then.

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 6, Number 38

it's all relative

A Christian businessman in North Carolina has a fascinating story of God’s call on his life. Everyone who has ever heard the tale leaves convinced that Henry is doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing. And to his credit he doesn’t shy away from the fact that he turned God’s calling into a 5 year plan rather than an immediate call to action! He admits he didn’t live up to the following…

“and Jesus said to him, “follow me, and let the dead to bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:22

Recently a friend of a friend, who serves as a missionary in an unnamed country, found he was unable to return home to visit his father on his deathbed. In fact, he could not even get a telephone connection to talk. Instead he had to compose a lengthy email and ask the friend to take it to the hospital to read to his father. This man found Jesus admonition to “follow me” was extremely real in his own life.

To what does Jesus call us? To be salt and light in our neighborhood? To treat the employees of your company as “your flock”? To be willing to speak our minds about our faith as easily as we do our political opinions or sports allegiances? To move to a new town for a new job? These things can be difficult…but it’s all relative. Most of us won’t be called to the ends of earth, yet each of us has a role to play.

Follow…

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 6, Number 34

the tebow effect

(be bold... or least don't be so afraid)

Perhaps the most fascinating story line of the 2011 NFL season was the rise of Tim Tebow. The big powerful quarterback throws the ball funny and doesn’t complete a ton of passes. What he does do is show an uncanny ability to approach the next play with confidence and optimism no matter how badly the last play went. Oh, and he wins too…which is, after all, why they play the games.

Tebow’s faith and his very public display of it became a hot topic as well. This constant talk show dialogue had an interesting effect. Person after person began to talk about and explain their own faith and how they lived it as compared to Tebow. The common theme was “I believe too… I just don’t wear it on my sleeve like he does.” We soon found out that even plenty of the sportswriters, commentators and other talking heads were Christians.

“…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

We’re not all comfortable putting our faith out there. But we should be. God uses the things we do, the things we say and the people we interact with to advance his kingdom. Humans are the only created beings in the Bible who share the good news of Jesus to others. We have a role to play. Let your light shine with confidence and optimism!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 6, Number 33

It's ok?

(is it really ok?....really?)

It’s interesting to see how social customs have changed over time. Men used to tip their hats to ladies for example. Now, few men wear much beyond ball caps and seldom even take them off indoors. Please and thank you were traditionally followed by “you’re welcome.” It’s more likely to hear “no problem” or some other less than sincere remark recently. Closer to home, I seem to be waging a campaign to bring forgiveness back. Conflicts can easily arise between family and friends. Apologies follow. But what then? Is it ok to just say “it’s ok?”

“Be alert. If you see your friend going wrong, correct him. If he responds, forgive him. Even if it's personal against you and repeated seven times through the day, and seven times he says, 'I'm sorry, I won't do it again,' forgive him." Luke 17:3-4

Frankly, the offenses we commit usually aren’t ok. To imply otherwise almost invites the offense to repeat and that’s not a healthy situation.

Even Jesus told the woman he saved from stoning to “go and sin no more.” It’s difficult at times to muster up a sincere apology. When we do it is freeing and fulfilling to know that we are really forgiven. Giving forgiveness helps the offended party move forward as well.

So forgive if you can…forgive later if you need to. Take it seriously either way!

Brian

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Volume 6, Number 32

something different

(there are lots of things on the menu)

We all know someone whose taste in food runs at odds with the world. They might go to Five Guys and order a hot dog. They love the chicken at Red Lobster and visit Chinese buffets for pizza. They might even put jelly on a grilled cheese sandwich. None of it seems to make any logical sense, but they insist that if we would just give it a chance we would understand. How many hidden gastronomical gems stay hidden simply because we can’t make the leap?

“For unto to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

The fact that lowly shepherds were the recipients of the angelic pronouncement of Jesus’ birth was one of a myriad of counter intuitive points in God’s plan. He chose to send his son as a baby, not a conquering warrior. He chose a hard working “blue collar” family man to raise him, not a wealthy religious leader. He chose a stable for his birthplace, not a palace.

At Christmas time, we remember the birth of our Saviour…a birth that set in motion God’s redemptive plan. Don’t let that simple truth be lost in the unlikely circumstances that surrounded it. Don’t miss the hidden gem!

Brian

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Volume 6, Number 31

Called

(do your thing!)

Have you ever met someone who is clearly doing exactly what they were made to do? I mean someone who effortlessly handles the ups and downs of a job with a spring in their step and a smile on their face no matter what? I’ve known some… worked with a few. Last week I had the chance to meet a woman in Los Angeles working in a transitional housing program for women and their children who fit this bill. An unhappy client once set this YMCA employee’s office on fire, with her trapped inside! But still she comes to work with a smile and clear sense that God has called her and blessing her work.

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith…” Ephesians 4:11-13

God has equipped each person for a particular job in the work of the kingdom. The hard work is twofold. First we have to ascertain what we have been equipped to do. Second we have to be willing to accept those results even if they are not what we hoped for. Too many times we resist and try to bend the gifting to suit ourselves. But the sweet spot is found when we align our wants to the path God has laid out.

Look for the call… and follow!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 6, Number 30