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Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Deadline
With school and work, I have a lot of deadlines in my life. Dates that have things due, when to turn in stuff, when I have to be finished with certain projects, etc. A comforting thought though, is one thing that doesn't have a deadline, and that is my Christian walk. Now that I am a Christian, I don't have a deadline in my life. I follow in Christ's steps, walk with Him, and He will guide me through all of the other deadlines in my life. One of my favorite verses is in Isaiah 6:8 "Whom shall I send, and who will go with us?" Then I said "Here am I, Lord, send me". When I am willing and able to go - I should have this attitude. "Whatever you want me to do God - I'm there for you, just say the word" however I think our attitude sometimes is "God, I'm there for You and all, but I just can't do that, can I do something else instead?". God does not allow us to do anything He knows we are not capable of. He knows our limits, he knows what we are capable of, if we will just let Him into our life. Still striving for greatness with no deadline.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Life Changing Moments
Ever wonder how often we will get those "Life Changing Moments"? Once, twice, ten times in our lives? Now, I'm not talking about those every day moments we have where we make different decisions in life, but that day or that moment or that event that absolutely rocks your world, and changes your life. Changes the way you look, feel, act, eat, dream, sing, move - everything is changing. I had one of those.
I just came back from one of the most uplifting retreats I've ever been on. I know what you may be thinking, I say that after every retreat. However, this one was different. I attended Gulf Coast Getaway in Panama City, Florida this weekend. There were around 1,700 college students from around the country that attended. Have you ever hear 1,700+ people sing a capella(really, rock-apella, but that's another topic)? Its beautiful. To me, that's a glimpse of what heaven will be like. The sounds of believing people singing praises to God is the greatest thing you will ever hear.
GulfCoast consisted of 5 sessions, a breakout session and a group devo. The theme was "2010:WHEN?" This was taken from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus was teaching his disciples how to pray. The them verse was Matthew 6:10 "Your Kingdom come,Your Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven" (NASB). The application is when will this Kingdom come? A lot believe that it is when Jesus returns or when we die and go to heaven. However, the Kingdom and work in the Kingdom begins as soon as we declare the name of Christ and put him on in baptism - that is when the Kingdom begins for us. There is much work to be done for the Kingdom starting from the day you put Him on in baptism.
There were lots of events that stand out to me. However Randy Harris' lesson last night stood out the most. His lesson was entitled "10 ways to live out the Tangible Kingdom - right now" Here is the basic summary:
1) Make a covenant - Find people who want to live out the Kingdom with you and do it. Hold each other accountable. Challenge each other.
2) Memorize the Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5-8. You can't memorize it without it changing your life.
3) Quit whining! It's fine to groan (i.e. - groaning for the people in Haiti) but not to be bratty, self-absorbed, or tired.
4) Take a risk - Don't be stupid or irresponsible, just learn the economics of Christianity. Economics - God will provide the resources to those who walk in the Kingdom.
5) Walk - Join God's speed of walking. Not speed walking - but a simple stroll or amble. Slow down. Conversate along the way.
6) Relocate - You don't have to live in suburbia. The Kingdom will come where you relocate. (Randy was not suggesting that everyone pick up there houses and move unless compelled too. However, he was saying, go to the laundry mat when you don't need to and talk. Get out of your comfort zone and speak)
7) Slow Down - The world is crazy. It needs sane people. We need to be able to show the world what it means to live with the piece of God.
8) Simplify - Get rid of what you don't need and live simply.
9) Commit - We live in an ADD society. The Kingdom will come when everyone is willing to commit.
10) Be present where you are - Everyone is busy, but make time to be present with everyone that needs you the time they need you. Give your undivided attention.
Another thing that was pointed out in this lesson is the rhythm of our day and what it needs to be like. Our mindset needs to be one of "There is no where I'd rather be with no person I would rather be with or nothing I would rather be doing - and I will remember this". Another quote he said was "Ever tried. Ever Failed. No matter what - try again, fail again, fail better, try again." Such amazing words to live by.
I just came back from one of the most uplifting retreats I've ever been on. I know what you may be thinking, I say that after every retreat. However, this one was different. I attended Gulf Coast Getaway in Panama City, Florida this weekend. There were around 1,700 college students from around the country that attended. Have you ever hear 1,700+ people sing a capella(really, rock-apella, but that's another topic)? Its beautiful. To me, that's a glimpse of what heaven will be like. The sounds of believing people singing praises to God is the greatest thing you will ever hear.
GulfCoast consisted of 5 sessions, a breakout session and a group devo. The theme was "2010:WHEN?" This was taken from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus was teaching his disciples how to pray. The them verse was Matthew 6:10 "Your Kingdom come,Your Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven" (NASB). The application is when will this Kingdom come? A lot believe that it is when Jesus returns or when we die and go to heaven. However, the Kingdom and work in the Kingdom begins as soon as we declare the name of Christ and put him on in baptism - that is when the Kingdom begins for us. There is much work to be done for the Kingdom starting from the day you put Him on in baptism.
There were lots of events that stand out to me. However Randy Harris' lesson last night stood out the most. His lesson was entitled "10 ways to live out the Tangible Kingdom - right now" Here is the basic summary:
1) Make a covenant - Find people who want to live out the Kingdom with you and do it. Hold each other accountable. Challenge each other.
2) Memorize the Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5-8. You can't memorize it without it changing your life.
3) Quit whining! It's fine to groan (i.e. - groaning for the people in Haiti) but not to be bratty, self-absorbed, or tired.
4) Take a risk - Don't be stupid or irresponsible, just learn the economics of Christianity. Economics - God will provide the resources to those who walk in the Kingdom.
5) Walk - Join God's speed of walking. Not speed walking - but a simple stroll or amble. Slow down. Conversate along the way.
6) Relocate - You don't have to live in suburbia. The Kingdom will come where you relocate. (Randy was not suggesting that everyone pick up there houses and move unless compelled too. However, he was saying, go to the laundry mat when you don't need to and talk. Get out of your comfort zone and speak)
7) Slow Down - The world is crazy. It needs sane people. We need to be able to show the world what it means to live with the piece of God.
8) Simplify - Get rid of what you don't need and live simply.
9) Commit - We live in an ADD society. The Kingdom will come when everyone is willing to commit.
10) Be present where you are - Everyone is busy, but make time to be present with everyone that needs you the time they need you. Give your undivided attention.
Another thing that was pointed out in this lesson is the rhythm of our day and what it needs to be like. Our mindset needs to be one of "There is no where I'd rather be with no person I would rather be with or nothing I would rather be doing - and I will remember this". Another quote he said was "Ever tried. Ever Failed. No matter what - try again, fail again, fail better, try again." Such amazing words to live by.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Remarkable
Webster defines greatness as "remarkable in magnitude, degree or effectiveness; full of emotion; marked superior in character or quality". Remarkable in magnitude. Remarkable. That word just strikes me. Remarkable is something to strive for. I think of the word remarkable and I think someone who has done something amazing like Mother Teresa or Paul in the Bible. Mother Teresa did everything for the poor and orphans. Paul devoted his life to Christ and His ministries. He went on 4 missionary journeys. This was before the day of blogging and email and phones where he could call around for support from local churches. He dropped everything and went. He was ship wrecked, stoned, beaten. You name it. Yet all still... Remarkable.
I think when I think of Remarkable I think that it is something I can't achieve. Something that little ole me couldn't handle. The saying that says "Beauty is only in the eye of the Beholder" can also be changed to say "Remarkable is only in the eye of the beholder". It is until I feel that I can be remarkable and great is only at which point I am remarkable and great. All about the confidence. What confidence I have that knowing that anything that I put my mind to I can be great or I can be remarkable.
I can be great.
I can be remarkable.
Through Christ.
I think when I think of Remarkable I think that it is something I can't achieve. Something that little ole me couldn't handle. The saying that says "Beauty is only in the eye of the Beholder" can also be changed to say "Remarkable is only in the eye of the beholder". It is until I feel that I can be remarkable and great is only at which point I am remarkable and great. All about the confidence. What confidence I have that knowing that anything that I put my mind to I can be great or I can be remarkable.
I can be great.
I can be remarkable.
Through Christ.
Striving for Greatness
Have you ever wanted to strive to do something? For instance, if you play a sport, you strive to be the best that you can be at it, whether its getting as many homeruns or RBIs in baseball or touchdowns in football, you want to be great. You strive for it. Well, I strive to be great. And while I feel I fail at it most days, its my longing to strive for greatness. I want to do something great in my life. Make an impact. Be important. Become great.
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