You've Got to "Keep it!"

Relationships are tricky, aren't they? I mean, as long as you are "dis-connected" there can never be any assaults against a relationship that simply doesn't' exist. But the moment you begin to make real and valid connections -- the moment a relationship has begun, there are a myriad of attempts to destroy the ties. Many come from outside influences -- some from circumstances beyond our control, still others come from simple misunderstandings that could have easily been avoided. But perhaps the biggest deterrent to strong and lasting relationships is the deadly poison of complacency.

For a relationship to remain strong and viable, we must be intentional. A one-time encounter will never be sufficient to forever secure a lasting, fruitful friendship. No matter how great the original attraction -- whatever might have first initiated the bond, be assured of this; a complacent attitude will be the undoing of any relationship.

Friendships cannot thrive where complacency exists. In a marriage, in a group or fraternity of any kind, a haphazard response to a friend will mean the death of the relationship.

The obvious truth is before us. Our ongoing fruitful relationship with Jesus Christ necessitates -- demands that there be more than a one time encounter -- more than a momentary "feel-good" experience with God. We cannot be "bump and run" Christians if we anticipate a deep and abiding -- in tact connection with the Lord.

Back burner relationships always grow cold and stale. What relationships in your life need attention today? If you want to keep it -- you've got to "Keep" it! You've got to tend it, nourish it, give great attention to it! Now that you've been reminded -- go do it!

What's Number One?

“But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”


Dr. Richard Swenson wrote a book entitled Margins, in which he exposed the epidemic of overload in our contemporary lifestyles. The premise was that when you read a book or your bible, there are purposeful margin areas where there is no print whatsoever. Even though the use of margins is not the most economical use of space and paper (if you eliminated them, you could get more words on a page and save printing costs), margin-less pages would be very bothersome to read. Your eyes and brain would scream out for some kind of reprieve—some white spaces without any ink. And yet it is often true in our personal lives, that we eliminate the margins, filling our schedules from top to bottom and side to side. The result is an active but exhausted life—busy, but lacking productivity. Time for fellowship with God and family are routinely squeezed out so that we may crowd in more of the less important.

Poor Martha! She deleted the margins of her life—scurrying about to do something when what was needed was margin time so that she could be something! There is no sin in rest and repose. Even in this frantic, frenzied, full speed ahead world in which we live, the concept of scripture applies . . . “You shall labor six days and rest on the seventh.” How much better life would be if we would make it a practice of our Christian lives to find some time every day to just sit at Jesus’ feet. There are certainly times that call for us to get up and do something, but they never come before our being refreshed and renewed at the feet of Jesus! Our #1 priority must be time with God (TWG). Be a Mary first—a Martha second. Being is always a pre-requisite of doing!

But, I Like It Like That!

We are such creatures of habit. It seems as if we have a natural bent to settle in to familiar places and just be satisfied. Status-quo is the enemy of forward progress -- in your career, your relationship arena, your financial condition -- your marriage -- you name it. The most dangerous place of all to become happy with "good" is in your spiritual health and maturity.

Your relationship with God can easily become like your favorite chair -- well-worn and comfy! It may not be the most beautiful piece of furniture in the house -- stuffing hanging out from under the bottom -- a huge tear in the seat cushion -- stains on the armrest -- but you like it like that! It's just too comfortable to mess with!

So, is often the case with our walk with Christ. We resist the challenge to increase our spiritual aptitude -- we are good with the scripture reading we get on Sundays -- we hang out with other Christians most of the time -- I mean -- I pray every time I eat -- what more can you ask for? And so goes our mediocre, passion-less spiritual existence. And I do mean, existence. That's about all it is.

Why is this true? One reason and one reason only. You're getting ahead of me -- you already know, don't you? You're right -- Cause I like it like that! At this point we have to ask ourselves the really tough questions. Am I in love with Jesus Christ or do I just enjoy His friendship? Has a nominal Christian life become comfortable to me? Do I bristle at the idea of throwing that old familiar chair out in exchange for a new one? If so, God wants to revitalize your life with a fresh wind of His Spirit. Open your heart to newness -- freshness -- LIFE, and you'll not be disappointed!

Progress! Progress!

It's happening! I've got some fresh pics for you.

I Love Seven-Eleven!

I used to love the 7-11 store that was about a half a block from our house on Warren Drive-- it's now swallowed up by Johnny's Pizza. I can't tell you how many Icee's I drank from that store when I was a kid. They had Jolly Ranchers gallore -- in every flavor and I can remember the little brown paper sack that I'd carry my stash home in. I didn't think so much about it when they closed all the 7-11's around here in lieu of the more modern Fil-A-Saks or Jump-'n-Runs -- whatever you wanna call 'em. I always liked 7-11! Sometimes when I'm travelling out of town -- I see a 7-11 and those wonderful memories of childhood come rushing back to me. I just have to stop and get an Icee or something! A bit of nostalgia happening this morning. Thanks for indulging me.

In my early private devotion today, I read a number of Psalms and came to Psalm 90 where the sub-heading in my bible says The Eternity of God, and Man's Frailty. Verse one begins with this -- "LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." Then it continues to enumerate the awesomeness of God and the shallowness of humanity. Finally, the psalm concludes with these words in verse seventeen; "And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands." What an intriguing thought! To have such a relationship with God, our Father that we can call on Him to beautify us with His presence. I was moved by those words and stayed there for a while -- praying over and meditating on that one statement -- "And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us!" Then it says, "and establish the work of our hands for us;" What an amazing thought, that our Eternal God, Who by His sheer and unbridled power has formed the universe and all that is in it and to imagine that He has opened the door to such an appeal . . . "Come and establish the work of our hands!" I had to ask myself the question, maybe you need to do the same; "What are you expecting from God today?" Judgment and condemnation -- misery, emptiness, loneliness and frustration? Why not believe God for the good? Construct every day on the seven-eleven principle -- Matthew 7:11, that is! Why not spend every moment looking for the goodness of God in your life. Get your eyes off what you can do and trust God for what He can and will do! "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Mt. 7:11 NIV. A couple of other scriptures to direct your thoughts: Romans 8:32; Philippians 4:6-9. I just love 7-11's don't you!

100 Times What Was Planted!

Men's Group this morning was especially probing and thought provoking. We've been doing The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. One of the truths discussed this morning was the fact that Knowing Your Purpose Prepares You for Eternity. We were all confronted with the FACT that we aren't born into the human family to pursue our own interests -- or to be remembered for some great deed done. We were put here to prepare for eternity. One of these days we will stand before our Maker as He audits the books of our life -- as Rick puts it gives us "our final exam!" Paul writes "Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God... Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God." Romans 14:10b, 12 (NLT). It's good to remember that God's heart is for us! We are His inheritance and He wants us to come through with flying colors -- so He's given us an "open book" test -- and insight to the questions that He might pose at judgment. From the Word of God we can be sure of perhaps the two most important questions he will ask:

First, "What did you do with Jesus, the Son of God?" We might have anticipated that God would ask about our denominational affiliation or about the preservation of our particularly favorite doctrines. But the Only thing that will matter then is -- "what did you do about Jesus? Did you trust Him and believe in Him for your salvation?"

Second, and this question seems to join effortlessly with the first -- "What did you do with what I gave you?" Since we've begun the "Parables" series, it rings loud and clear in my spiritual ears--"What did you do with what I gave you? What about your marriage, your family, your children? How about your job, your influence, your testimony? What did you do with your time and resources?" There's a couple of biggies! Huh?

Jesus said "Some seed fell on good ground. That is the man or woman who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." Mt. 13:23b (NIV). Well, how are we faring? Is the seed scattered in your live taking root and will it produce a harvest for the Kingdom of God? I have to ask myself that question over and over again, allowing the Holy Spirit to re-direct my efforts, my time allotment and most importantly my heart! If I don't miss my guess -- there are a whole bunch of "100 's" out there in cyber-space!

"With Every Passing Day"

I've posted some pics of the construction progress below. I was making a walk-through this morning and I thought of the change that every day brings. It's wonderful to see something new -- to see the project moving toward completion with every passing day! As I reflected on it all, I thought about our own personal progress in our life for Christ. Thank God, He doesn't leave us alone but always prods us toward a greater degree of Christlikeness. How about you? Are you on an upward path to completion? Are you being built up into a spiritual house of worship to the King? (1 Pet. 2:5).

It's definitely a process that requires faithful obedience to the Word of God. Maturity comes with living out the teachings of God's word and by constantly applying biblical principles to every facet of our lives. As we continue in them (1 Tim. 4:16) we will see wonderful progress in our spiritual house with every passing day.

I love you all!