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
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Looking back and smiling....
A few things before I get into the meat of this post. For those of you who haven't heard yet, I have recently been called to be pastor at Union Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, TX. It's an exciting and scary time as I take on the calling God has given me for the first time and try to be the shepherd that He's been molding me into all these years. I realize I have a lot to learn, but I can't wait to start learning it.
Now that I've given you some background, here's what I wanted to post on:
I was looking through some old posts and found one that I wrote last November. (For those of you interested, you can read it here.) I remember writing that post, feeling the confusion and the uncertainty, and making myself get up and keep going simply because I didn't know what else to do. Back then, it seemed I had so much weight on my shoulders driving me into the ground, and there was no hope of ever getting any relief from it.
But I take stock of where I am today, and I see how far God has brought me. I've finally gotten a position at a church--and even a church where the people are eager to work for the Lord. Mandy is finally able to quit her job and get the break she's been needing for months now. I'm closer to the LORD now that I ever have been in my life. The life that I dreamed of when I first moved out here...it's sitting right in front of me, waiting for me to take those first few steps into it.
I've heard it preached all my life that endurance is important, and as my life verse says, "Those who wait on the LORD will find new strength" (Isaiah 40:31). But I never really understood it until today, when I looked back on how hard this past year has been, and see the blessing that I am surrounded in now. When the LORD promises that He'll get us through anything, He means it. It may not always be on our time table, but it is always perfect timing.
So I stand here now with renewed strength, renewed zeal, and a sense of purpose. I realize that taking on this new position will come with its own problems, and being on the mountaintop just means that a valley is coming up next. But I don't fear what may be coming, because I can see what God has already pulled me through. He is faithful, and gracious, and might to save. I may have had to trudge through muck for a while, but right now....I'm flying. :-)
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
Now that I've given you some background, here's what I wanted to post on:
I was looking through some old posts and found one that I wrote last November. (For those of you interested, you can read it here.) I remember writing that post, feeling the confusion and the uncertainty, and making myself get up and keep going simply because I didn't know what else to do. Back then, it seemed I had so much weight on my shoulders driving me into the ground, and there was no hope of ever getting any relief from it.
But I take stock of where I am today, and I see how far God has brought me. I've finally gotten a position at a church--and even a church where the people are eager to work for the Lord. Mandy is finally able to quit her job and get the break she's been needing for months now. I'm closer to the LORD now that I ever have been in my life. The life that I dreamed of when I first moved out here...it's sitting right in front of me, waiting for me to take those first few steps into it.
I've heard it preached all my life that endurance is important, and as my life verse says, "Those who wait on the LORD will find new strength" (Isaiah 40:31). But I never really understood it until today, when I looked back on how hard this past year has been, and see the blessing that I am surrounded in now. When the LORD promises that He'll get us through anything, He means it. It may not always be on our time table, but it is always perfect timing.
So I stand here now with renewed strength, renewed zeal, and a sense of purpose. I realize that taking on this new position will come with its own problems, and being on the mountaintop just means that a valley is coming up next. But I don't fear what may be coming, because I can see what God has already pulled me through. He is faithful, and gracious, and might to save. I may have had to trudge through muck for a while, but right now....I'm flying. :-)
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
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