Chasing Daylight

I recently began reading Erwin McManus’ new book called Chasing Daylight and I’ve been challenged and impacted by his call to seizing the power of every moment. This book has helped me to see the potential every person has to press toward the mark of accomplishing God’s plans for their lives. Not someday, but NOW! So many times we balk at the opportunities that present themselves because we’re not sure it’s what God may want for us or we’re afraid of making a mistake; even though the opportunity standing before us is good and right. This doesn’t mean that when we push forward into the realm of uncertainty that everything will be perfectly laid out before us and it doesn’t even mean that we will be totally confident that God will level out all the bumpy paths. In fact, all we might actually know for certain is that God is good and that when we set out to do His will out of a pure heart and a sincere desire to see His Kingdom advanced in our families, neighborhoods, cities, and world, then He will work everything out for His glory. The issue is not whether God can come through in our time of uncertainty, but whether we are willing to step out in faith to do a good thing…a right thing, regardless of the struggle it may bring. (I didn’t mean to rhyme there) I guess I could go on and on about what I’ve learned in this book, but I’ll just leave it to you to read and discover. I will finish with a quote from the book…     “Do what you know you should do, and you will know what to do. God clarifies in the midst of obedience, not beforehand.” -Erwin McManus

Flesh

It’s been far too long since anyone has updated this blog, after all, this is suppose to be the “on-going” conversation. So here’s another try to make this a place where we can share not only the “spiritual” but even our every day lives.

After reading “Transformation”, I took a break and began reading the last 2 Harry Potter books. The 7th and final book was about to be released and after seeing the first 5 movies, I really didn’t want to wait 3 to 5 years to see how it would end. Now that that’s over I am back to reading something that will actually benefit me and help me grow, not that there is anything wrong with reading just for entertainment purposes. So I have began to read “The Great Omission” by Dallas Willard and wanted to share a portion of Chapter 6 that made me think.

“The church of Jesus Christ is not necessarily present when there is a correct administration of the sacrament and faithful preaching of the Word of God. The church of God is present where people gather together in the power of the resurrected life of Jesus Christ.”

“… too much of what we call Christian is not a manifestation of the supernatural life of God in our souls. Too much of what we call Christian is really just human.”

He then goes on to explain how many times in scripture the word “flesh” is used to describe our “religous” activities and not necessarily “sinful” acts. In that sense, many of us are really just living out this Christian faith in our “flesh” and not by the power of Jesus Christ.

Hopefully this will make you think and reflect on your faith and your dependence on the Spirit of God.

Who would miss it?

“If the church were absent from the community, would anyone miss it except for it’s own members?” (Robert Lewis)

What is your church doing in your community? What can you and I do to make a difference?

In Your Dreams

What have you always dreamed the church would be like? Compare the church you dream of now to the church you use to dream of back then? Are they different? If so, how?

Salt and Light

We are called to be the “salt and light of the earth”. How many times have you heard that? Probably too many times. As I was reading this book, Transformation, the writer really made me stop and think about this. As Christians we really focus on the “light” aspect of this passage. I mean, think about it, we have hundreds of songs that call us to be the light in this world, to shine in the darkness, to shine with the light of Christ, etc. But before we can be effective in shining as the light, we have to be “salt”. We need to have the character of Christ, to be like Christ, if not, what do we have to shine the light on. If we are “shining” without first being the salt of the earth, than that explains a lot. It explains why people can see us, Christians, and yet not see Jesus in us. I love the way Roberts puts it:

“It’s the difference between the warmth of a sunrise at daybreak versus the blinding glare of oncoming headlights on a dark road. Shortsighted churches shine light without first developing the saltiness within their people, and they may end up inadvertenly blinding others to their message.” However, “focus on salt without the output of light, and the salt cakes up the walls of the church as salt encrusts the Dead Sea because the water has no natural outflow. It is the saltiest body of water on earth, but it cannot sustain life.”

You cannot have one and not the other. So, yes, shine the light in the darkness, but make sure you are first being effective as the salt. This really made me stop and think. Can people see Jesus in me? What am I shining the light on? Myself, or Christ? I hope this will make you stop and think also.

Transformation

Today i am starting to read and blog about Bob Roberts’ book Transformation. I have read excerpts of it and find it to be very insightful and yet challenging all at the same time. I can’t wait.

 

 

Join the Conversation…

This is a public invitation to continue the ongoing conversation between us and God. Please feel free to contribute by posting a blog or commenting to an existing post! Looking forward to our future dialogues.