break
Oct 26

Following Jesus is all about trust…not sometimes, not during the hard times only. It is about trusting him all the time; there is, however, a trust problem I think. Many of us come from shattered families where trust has been violated by one or more of our family members. Trust is difficult to earn and easy to destroy. Trust does not come easy for us, but it is something we all want to have in someone. In fact, when asking people what are the attributes they want most in a long term relationship or a spouse, trust usually ranks among the most mentioned.

But, if following God is all about trust, then how do we develop it? In many cases, it seems we have put out a recall on trust with God. We have the right equations, the right theology, and the right systems of practice, leaving no need for God to work and, consequently, no need to trust that He will. So we have “recalled” trust, just like we would any defective Honda or Chevy. If we are to develop trust in God, we must have occasion to trust Him.

Mystery, risk, danger, and the unknown are all occasions to trust God. It demands trust of Him.We have begun something called “Twister Weekend” and have done it 3 times and so far it has been amazing. We put a spinner on a map, pray for God’s guidance, spin it, and we start driving in whatever direction the spinner points. We take a trailer full of tools and tents and we have no destination in mind. Our only goal is to serve. For the following 24 hours we belong to Him. Sounds crazy, right? We must be out of our minds, right?

If this is crazy, I have no desire to be sane. It demands total trust on our part, trust that God will lead us where we are most needed and that he will provide the power and the resources to accomplish something for His kingdom. We are trying to create an occasion of necessary trust in Him for 24 hours at a time so that we can trust Him with the other areas of our lives. Join us on Nov. 20-21 and reclaim your trust in God.

Jan 15

I am constantly amazed at how many people like Jesus.

It’s not that I find Jesus tough to like. I like Jesus too. I am simply surprised sometimes to find that people of all ages, backgrounds, religious affiliations, and sexual orientations seem to all think highly of Jesus. They seem to respect his words of wisdom and the care he demonstrates for all.

Jesus has the uncanny to ability to outwit the intellects, relate to the blue-collar worker, love the unloved, and still more impressive…get all the above to work together toward a common purpose.

People love Jesus but the feeling toward the church is different. There are many reasons people give for this, but above all the rest, there is one reason given….Jesus loves and the church does not.

My desire is to strike the same authenticity in my life that Jesus did with his. I am in the process of renouncing all the flash and pomp, to quit being a salesperson for God, and just to be me. Hopefully as I follow Jesus with my life, others will see a more authentic, more loving, more truthful person because that’s what following Jesus produces….me being me, but looking more and more like Him. Care to join me?