Could it be that many of us Christians accept the Christ into our lives, but not the new life Christ brings? Could it be that we make Christ a prisioner in our hearts, never releasing the fullness of the grace and glory? Could it be that being "born again" has more to do with our way of living and less to do with our outward confessions?
Perhaps Christ is always larger than we imagine or have room to accept. Perhaps as we grow in our love toward others Christ continues to enlarge as well. Perhaps we are never done growing and enlarging our hearts to contain the fullness Christ.
Maybe this is what the season of Lent it all about. Growing and allowing Christ to increase.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
When Difficult Situations Arise…
Seven of my thoughts I keep by my desk. Some days they can be a life saver.
1. Realize, this is not new, just the same old stuff in the world revisiting us. Do not flinch.
2. Consider that Now is required the utmost professionalism. We never gossip. We never talk outside this confidence about personal situations for which our position offers us access. Be careful with e-mail as it is easily misunderstood.
3. Recognize everyone involved will be a victim sooner or later. This includes the church. Consider the persons most at risk in this particular situation and what might be our best response for them. Pray for these persons and also the ones who may be the cause of much of the stress. Pray like God is our only hope.
4. Feel and Know the power of God at work and be assured the Holy Spirit will offer a path. That path may not always be happy or even pleasant, but will be life-giving for all who choose to travel the path.
5. Whatever the issue: this is not our problem to fix or solve by ourselves. Our task is to offer the compassion and understanding of the Christ into a broken world. Think Gardeners.
6. Jesus Always forgives repentance. 70 X 7
7. Notice how every point invites us to pause and think. Do not immediately react, think.
1. Realize, this is not new, just the same old stuff in the world revisiting us. Do not flinch.
2. Consider that Now is required the utmost professionalism. We never gossip. We never talk outside this confidence about personal situations for which our position offers us access. Be careful with e-mail as it is easily misunderstood.
3. Recognize everyone involved will be a victim sooner or later. This includes the church. Consider the persons most at risk in this particular situation and what might be our best response for them. Pray for these persons and also the ones who may be the cause of much of the stress. Pray like God is our only hope.
4. Feel and Know the power of God at work and be assured the Holy Spirit will offer a path. That path may not always be happy or even pleasant, but will be life-giving for all who choose to travel the path.
5. Whatever the issue: this is not our problem to fix or solve by ourselves. Our task is to offer the compassion and understanding of the Christ into a broken world. Think Gardeners.
6. Jesus Always forgives repentance. 70 X 7
7. Notice how every point invites us to pause and think. Do not immediately react, think.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
What is the big deal with Valentine’s Day?
I am fortunate to have a wonderful valentine in my spouse. She loves to celebrate birthdays and holidays. Valentine’s Day is no exception. I have been trained well over the years to know how to think ahead and find something nice, something thoughtful, which cannot be purchased at a gas station. Yes, I tried that and it does not work. Anyway, this is a fun little holiday which is tailor made for couples like us who do not need a lot of fuss to care for one another. We make it fun and focus our attention on the other.
However, as I look around, I see a whole lot of folks for whom this quirky little holiday is anything but fun and easy. I see folks who are in the midst of grieving the loss of a loved one. I see folks who are waiting for Mr. or Ms. Right and the only people they seem to run into are Wrongs. I see folks who are in relationship, but just barely. And the stress, or pressure, from such a holiday as this drives a wedge further between their feelings of hope and despair. I wonder about this Valentine’s Day stuff and think about ways to change things up.
One thing we can all do is to stop and think for a moment about the lives of the people around us. The people we live with, work with, and play with. Why not include them in the celebration by dropping by with a card, or flipping a carton of candy hearts on to their desk. Ok, be careful to not go overboard and be miss-understood, but you can do this with an open heart and thoughtfulness. If a conversation about loneliness or brokenness opens between you, then you have an opportunity to share your faith in a graceful and hopeful manner. And if laughter breaks out then you have won a great battle. If you are gifted in return with an opportunity to just listen, you are most blessed.
Maybe the big deal about Valentines Day is not about love as much as it is about friendships and relationships. Maybe the day is less about a dozen roses costing eighty bucks to get me out of the doghouse for something stupid I did which I do not remember and more about the sweet taste of a heartfelt thank you or a simple nod of encouragement, Either way, in my experience, chocolate also works pretty good. Now if they only sold that at the gas station.
However, as I look around, I see a whole lot of folks for whom this quirky little holiday is anything but fun and easy. I see folks who are in the midst of grieving the loss of a loved one. I see folks who are waiting for Mr. or Ms. Right and the only people they seem to run into are Wrongs. I see folks who are in relationship, but just barely. And the stress, or pressure, from such a holiday as this drives a wedge further between their feelings of hope and despair. I wonder about this Valentine’s Day stuff and think about ways to change things up.
One thing we can all do is to stop and think for a moment about the lives of the people around us. The people we live with, work with, and play with. Why not include them in the celebration by dropping by with a card, or flipping a carton of candy hearts on to their desk. Ok, be careful to not go overboard and be miss-understood, but you can do this with an open heart and thoughtfulness. If a conversation about loneliness or brokenness opens between you, then you have an opportunity to share your faith in a graceful and hopeful manner. And if laughter breaks out then you have won a great battle. If you are gifted in return with an opportunity to just listen, you are most blessed.
Maybe the big deal about Valentines Day is not about love as much as it is about friendships and relationships. Maybe the day is less about a dozen roses costing eighty bucks to get me out of the doghouse for something stupid I did which I do not remember and more about the sweet taste of a heartfelt thank you or a simple nod of encouragement, Either way, in my experience, chocolate also works pretty good. Now if they only sold that at the gas station.
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