God is bigger than the boogie man...

Please understand, I have nothing against Veggie Tales. I think they are an amazing and fun tool to use in teaching children the truths of Scripture. And while that statement is true, I don't think it accurately describes what I'm trying to say here. But, at 10:30 at night on a Saturday night when I have a half written sermon in front of me and writer's block is hitting me hard, its the best title I could come up with.

So, rather than try to push these thoughts aside for another day, I'll let them flow here in hopes that the Scripture God has given me for tomorrow will become more illuminated.

It has become very apparent in my mind just how little I comprehend the awesomeness of God. Granted, that is probably the most cliche statement a Christian could make, but often what makes cliches cliche is that they are so true. I've mentioned on here before about how Christ coming to earth was like a mighty warrior stepping down to fight a war against an evil that had overtaken His beloved. And while most of us will acknowledge that, I wonder how many of us truly live like that.

Seriously, ask yourself. When was the last time you were faced with something terrifying or scary or completely out of your control, and your response was, "Whew, I am so glad God is bigger than this." To be honest, that isn't my reaction. My reaction is to immediately start making plans. In the face of trouble, I have to analyze and find out (1) how to get out if, (2) how I got into it in the first place, and (3) how I can make sure I never get into it again. And only when things are going utterly haywire do I ever stop to consider that maybe the God I worship could handle it.

But the truth is, God really is bigger than the boogie man...and the economy...and cancer...and even the unknown. So, the next time something I can't handle comes for me, instead of worrying about the fact that I can't handle it, I'll remember these words in Psalms:

"I look up toward the hill. From where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth." --Psalm 121:1-2

Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.

Keep Soaring,

B

Kingdom Minded...

I haven't blogged in quite some time. I honestly thought that the move out to Sulphur Springs would give me more time to post, but instead I simply find more things to fill my time up with. Still, despite the lack of presence on this blog, I have been working at Union Baptist Church, trying to get a vision of where God wants us to move toward. I'd ask that you pray for us as we continually seek His will in where he wants to lead us in reaching out to this community.

There's been something on my heart lately that I want to share with you. I've been very convicted lately of being Kingdom minded. I think sometimes I get so caught up with membership rolls on our church that I forget that's not the point. As a follower of Christ, I'm called to swell the membership of the Book of Life, not the membership of any particular church.

I notice it when I invest in someone's life, try to lead them to Christ, and then get jealous when they decide to go to another church. I almost feel as though I've been taken advantage of. I'm the one that shared Christ with them. I'm the one that counseled them and led them to a saving knowledge of Christ. Shouldn't my church be the one that gets the credit? But that mindset isn't biblical or godly. I think it shows that sometimes I mistake this gathering of people every Sunday morning as my church and not God's church. If I lead someone to Christ, and they find a place where they can mature spiritually, then I should rejoice in that, whether or not that means another warm body on the pews on Sunday.

So I ask that you follow me as I try to rework how I view things. I don't want to be church minded. I want to be kingdom minded.

Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.

Keep Soaring,

B