Deep Thoughts..........By Me.

Have you ever wanted to share a great thought? Maybe something that can be shared and touch a life? Tonight is not that night for me. It seems like my streak of thoughts worth sharing is broken for a time. Here is what I am thinking about, and why. Currently the movie Luther is on, a really good movie taking a look at Martin Luther, the reformer, and his times. It is very illuminating to myself to see the outrages of the Christian church then lived out on screen. To see the wonderful message of Christ, about a God who loves us dearly and wants to live with us for Eternity, turned into a money making scheme about earning heaven and rewards from God. But it makes so much sense to do something, or go some a quest, or pay for the joys of heaven. It is a system that makes sense to us, until we look at just how far removed from reality our ability to repay such a debt is. It is simply better not to try and insult the generous King by demanding to pay. We should allow God to bring this great message to as many people as possible out of gratitude. That is the reason we reach out, not because we are avoiding hell by paying our dues, but by passing along God's great love. We should not allow ourselves to become jaded or forgetful of this great love, but always renew by passing along. It is truly a renewable resource.

Forgiveness And The Friendly, Neighborhood Spider-man

This week, our church did a service on Forgiveness using the Spider-man 3 movie. It's title was the Web of Revenge, and focused upon how we need to offer more forgiveness instead of getting caught up into payback, bitterness, anger, and grudges. This is a message I identify with, and is so important to life. What if we truly believed that God's way is always the best way and let go of our frustrations that create baggage in our lives and weigh us down. This week I want to have a discussion with a friend who hurt me and hopefully reconcile a long past wound. Even if he is not interested, it will still be best if I can forgive him and let the power of darkness end its hold in my heart in this area.

The Difference Between Listening And God Getting Your Attention

Well, I have been thinking for awhile about getting a day away to listen for God's call on the life of myself, my family, and my ministry. But it never seems to be convienent, even though it is necessary to wade through what I want to find out what God is actually calling me to do or be. Over the past couple of months, I have had to face a better, more exact picture of who I am, which is really not fun. But through this process the message has always been God's love and witholding this picture until it is the best time to deal with all the baggage that's accumulated. And through this process it has become apparent that a time to seek God is necessary. But I still haven't got around to doing it.

Which leads me to point two. If God is ignored long enough, He beings to get your attention. My 8 month old son does that by screaming full volume, kicking, and banging around. God isn't as blatant always, but sometimes He can do that. He is making it clear through our circumstances, our church finances, that it is time to listen and go to do His work. So now it becomes more imperative to stop and listen for the next step in our journey. God never promised easy, or uncomplicated lives, and this is a small thing to deal with in the big picture. But, He still has gotten my attention.