With the upcoming Superbowl, there is a lot of talk about the Patriots being perfect. Never has any team gone 19-0 during a season, but this year the Patriots have a legitimate shot. Nobody really knows what's gonna happen this coming weekend, but should New England come out on top, are they really perfect? I mean, sure they came through the season without a loss, but is that really perfect. Although, they will be elated about that kind of achievement, and will be considered one of the best teams ever, I don't think you can call them perfect. Perfect in wins perhaps, but not perfect overall. Interceptions, fumbles, missed tackles, blown coverages, late hits, false starts, holding, dropped passes all have to be considered when talking about perfection.
Of course, the Patriots have minimal mistakes compared to some teams which is a main reason for their incredible run this year. But here's the point, in our human state of imperfection, we become very good a comparing ourselves to others. Because none of us are truly perfect, we compare ourselves to others imperfections. Throughout this season, I have heard it over and over and over again, as sporting gurus have tried to compare the Patriots to other great teams from times past. The truth of the matter is, it doesn't matter what we think, there really isn't any comparison. Who knows who would win if New England played the 72 Dolphins, or the 85 Bears, or the Joe Montana 49ers, or the Troy Aikman, Emmit Smith Cowboys. I'm sure there is that testosterone thing working in those players from the past that make them want to suit up just one more time and take their best shot at this year's Patriots. The fact is this though, they can never play those teams so the argument is a moot point.
There have been great teams before and there will be great teams to come. And should the Patriots finish 19-0, they probably won't be the last. Regardless, of the win-loss record, no team will ever be perfect though. There will always be dropped passes, and penalties, and fumbles, and all the other things that make a coach go nuts.
So, what am I trying to say with all of this? The Patriots are an awesome team but they are not perfect. Closer than most, but still not perfect. The true test of success isn't about being perfect, it comes from knowing you gave it all you've got. Regardless of whether you win or lose, it all comes down to that. 100% is all you can give. New England can beat everyone else, but still come up short in the effort category. Only they know where they stand there. When those men walk off the field for that final game, they will know if they had something left in their tank. Winning the Superbowl and finishing 19-0, will cement their place in history, and will send the message that they are better than everyone else this year. However, where they fall in comparison to everyone else really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. What they did with what they had is the true test of greatness.
So, it is with us. You can spend your life comparing yourself to everyone else. Some of those comparisons will leave you feeling great about yourself, while others will make you feel you don't measure up. Only one comparison is important though. How did your efforts measure up to your potential. Like those ball players, when you come to the end of it all, only you know if you have anything left in the tank. You'll be left with questions like, "Did I do just enough to get by?" or "Did I leave it all out there on the playing field of life?" You were created by God to do some great things, so give it everything you've got. Don't compare yourself to anyone else. Live life to its fullest and end your life on empty.
And, oh yeah, Go Patriots! No, Go Giants! Oh man, this is a hard one for a Cowboy fan!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
God Is Near
Once again, my children have taught me a powerful spiritual truth. One day last week, I was on the treadmill and my wife was about to take a shower. She was going to leave our two boys in the living room watching TV while she went upstairs to take her shower. She explained to our 5 year old that I was in the next room if he needed anything and headed upstairs confident everything would be fine. Little did she know, how crazy things were going to get in only about 5 minutes.
Just so you get a good picture of how everything was set up, the boys were in the living room and I was literally just a few feet away. All my son had to do in order to see me was walk around the corner. We have a couple of infant gates set up in order to keep our little one from wandering up the stairs. So, basically the boys had no way of getting upstairs to their mother. If they needed anything though I was right there. Now, when I am on the treadmill I usually listen to my Ipod, and this day was no different. So, I'm working out and my wife is in the shower and neither of us can hear what is going on with our boys. Somewhere, within the 10 minutes I was finishing up on the treadmill and my wife was in the shower, our 5 year old hit panic mode. Either he had forgotten I was in the other room, or hadn't been listening when his mother told him, but he looked around and didn't see any adults. He got startled and tried to go upstairs, only to find the infant gates standing in his way. As anyone does when they are in panic mode, all reason went out the window. Apparently, he proceeds to run out the back door and then runs around the house to the front door in an attempt to get into the house that way so he can go upstairs. The front door, which stays locked pretty much all the time, is locked and he is unable to get in the house. To make matters worse, our 20 month old followed right behind him since he left the back door wide open.
They couldn't have been out there more than a few minutes when my wife gets out of the shower and hears screaming and someone banging on the door. She runs down stairs to find our two boys on the front porch completely hysterical. Meanwhile, Dad is finishing up on the treadmill and is oblivious to the whole thing. Thank God, they were both on the porch when my wife found them and not in the middle of the street or something worse.
After breathing a huge sigh of relief, God showed me something with the whole thing. Throughout our life, there are times when fear can creep in. It can hit us from any number of directions. Finances, marriage, career, health, future, you name it, fear can be generated from any of them. And when fear comes, there are times when our tendency may be to hit the panic button. You know those times when you can't see how to fix it. You find yourself at whits end, and all hope is lost. Its moments like this, when like my son, all reason flies out the window and can give way to some pretty crazy decisions on our part.
Here's my point to the whole thing. In the middle of it all, God is near. Just like in my sons' story, where I was right there, our heavenly Father is right by our side. Of course, he doesn't have an Ipod on and he isn't oblivious to what's happening, but the point is, he is there with us regardless of whether we feel him, see him, or hear him. God is there, and in order to find comfort in those crazy times, we simply have to run to him. We have to learn to find him in the middle of it all. Sometimes that may seem difficult when we find ourselves surrounded by all life's stuff, but trust me the more we do it, the easier it gets. God is our refuge, our peace, our defender, and our ever present help in time of trouble. So, when life hits hard, look for him. Trust me, God is near.
Just so you get a good picture of how everything was set up, the boys were in the living room and I was literally just a few feet away. All my son had to do in order to see me was walk around the corner. We have a couple of infant gates set up in order to keep our little one from wandering up the stairs. So, basically the boys had no way of getting upstairs to their mother. If they needed anything though I was right there. Now, when I am on the treadmill I usually listen to my Ipod, and this day was no different. So, I'm working out and my wife is in the shower and neither of us can hear what is going on with our boys. Somewhere, within the 10 minutes I was finishing up on the treadmill and my wife was in the shower, our 5 year old hit panic mode. Either he had forgotten I was in the other room, or hadn't been listening when his mother told him, but he looked around and didn't see any adults. He got startled and tried to go upstairs, only to find the infant gates standing in his way. As anyone does when they are in panic mode, all reason went out the window. Apparently, he proceeds to run out the back door and then runs around the house to the front door in an attempt to get into the house that way so he can go upstairs. The front door, which stays locked pretty much all the time, is locked and he is unable to get in the house. To make matters worse, our 20 month old followed right behind him since he left the back door wide open.
They couldn't have been out there more than a few minutes when my wife gets out of the shower and hears screaming and someone banging on the door. She runs down stairs to find our two boys on the front porch completely hysterical. Meanwhile, Dad is finishing up on the treadmill and is oblivious to the whole thing. Thank God, they were both on the porch when my wife found them and not in the middle of the street or something worse.
After breathing a huge sigh of relief, God showed me something with the whole thing. Throughout our life, there are times when fear can creep in. It can hit us from any number of directions. Finances, marriage, career, health, future, you name it, fear can be generated from any of them. And when fear comes, there are times when our tendency may be to hit the panic button. You know those times when you can't see how to fix it. You find yourself at whits end, and all hope is lost. Its moments like this, when like my son, all reason flies out the window and can give way to some pretty crazy decisions on our part.
Here's my point to the whole thing. In the middle of it all, God is near. Just like in my sons' story, where I was right there, our heavenly Father is right by our side. Of course, he doesn't have an Ipod on and he isn't oblivious to what's happening, but the point is, he is there with us regardless of whether we feel him, see him, or hear him. God is there, and in order to find comfort in those crazy times, we simply have to run to him. We have to learn to find him in the middle of it all. Sometimes that may seem difficult when we find ourselves surrounded by all life's stuff, but trust me the more we do it, the easier it gets. God is our refuge, our peace, our defender, and our ever present help in time of trouble. So, when life hits hard, look for him. Trust me, God is near.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Sometimes You Just Have To Laugh
What a week!!! My wife and I just experienced the excitement of launching a new church last Sunday. Following a year of preparation, it was a long awaited day for us, and as the day approached we were so excited. Not sure about her, but Saturday night I could hardly sleep a wink. If you have ever looked forward to something, I'm sure you can relate. Anyway, our emotional high on Sunday, gave way to a very draining week once Monday arrived. Monday night our 20-month old began 6 hours of continuous vomiting at about 10:00. I'm talking about every 20 minutes for several hours. Needless to say neither my wife or I got much sleep. Tuesday, both of us felt as though we might have what our son had, but we never vomited like he did. Now, I'm convinced that it was just a lack of sleep. I'm not sure if it was Tues. or Wed. (the days all run together) but we learned that my father-in-law was in a serious car accident. Fortunately, he was unharmed other than some minor injuries which is a testimony of God's protection having seen pictures of the wrecked car. Wednesday night our 20-month old wakes up at about 1:00 am with some issue. Not sure, if it was gas, a tummy ache or what, but he was up for about an hour and a half. Then at 3 am our 5 year old woke up asking mommy to pray for him. No sooner than he got the words out, the vomiting started. We prayed, and prayed, and prayed, and prayed and the vomiting continued for 11 hours. I was able to catch a little sleep that night as my wife stayed up with him and I took care of the little one. Then, Thursday night my wife got it. Finally, everything seemed to get back to normal on Friday and the Stone household was able to get a full night sleep. Wow, what a week huh?
On the way to church yesterday my wife and I were talking about the events of this past week. Of course, we recognize the enemy when we see him. I had spoken on Sunday about God Dreams and my first point of the message was that God Dreams attract adversity. Talk about having to practice what you preach. After our week of adversity, I began to chuckle a little. I told Lori, it all just makes me want to laugh. Our enemy, the devil, wants to discourage us and will stop at nothing to do so. He just doesn't get it though. We are on a mandate from God and God will stop at nothing to see that we win. So what, it was a rough week, there was a new church planted in Montgomery, TX that in the years to come will win the lost, disciple believers, impact the community, and shake the nations. When you look at it that way, it just makes you want to laugh.
On the way to church yesterday my wife and I were talking about the events of this past week. Of course, we recognize the enemy when we see him. I had spoken on Sunday about God Dreams and my first point of the message was that God Dreams attract adversity. Talk about having to practice what you preach. After our week of adversity, I began to chuckle a little. I told Lori, it all just makes me want to laugh. Our enemy, the devil, wants to discourage us and will stop at nothing to do so. He just doesn't get it though. We are on a mandate from God and God will stop at nothing to see that we win. So what, it was a rough week, there was a new church planted in Montgomery, TX that in the years to come will win the lost, disciple believers, impact the community, and shake the nations. When you look at it that way, it just makes you want to laugh.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Worth The Pain
Men are a peculiar species. I can say that because I am a card carrying member of that sect of humanity. Actually, anyone can say that, because its true. I guess it could be just me that's a bit peculiar, by I really don't think I'm alone here. I think its us guys as a whole. If not in whole, at least for the most part. Case in point, picture me in the woods with a .12 gauge shotgun. An old school shotgun, no recoil pad, just a hard, real wood stock that would flat out knock some skinny boy on his can. Lot's of boom, lots of bang, and lots of kick. Now, since I am a couple of decades removed from the skinny boy days, there's not much of a chance of me getting knocked on my can. No, I just get some major pain inflicted in my right shoulder. Now, although I've never been a hunter, I have shot deer rifles before but this was my first crack at a .12 gauge. I knew straight up, this puppy was going to kick a bit, but never thought it would kick as much as it did. Six days later, I'm still feeling the effects of the shotgun recoil in my shoulder.
What's so crazy about the whole thing, and I'm sure you men can relate, after the first shot I had to do it again. Knowing full well that this thing was going to flat hurt, I just had to do it one more time. Now, if it was just me out there, I would be inclined to think that I was just a bit on the weird side. But, I wasn't alone. I was out there with a buddy of mine and both of us were commenting on how much it hurt but we just had to shoot the shotgun again. I would understand it a little better perhaps if we were shooting at some food to bring home to the family, but we weren't shooting at anything but an old structure and some glass. No real pay off or reward for our pain. Just the satisfaction that we were making lots of noise, destroying something, and handling a gun with lots of power. That's it. Plain and simple. And for that simple pleasure, we figured it was worth the pain. So we just kept shooting. Laughing and rubbing our shoulders after each shot.
Ok, so we men are a little peculiar like that, but really life is not all that different for all of us. Life produces bumps and bruises along the way. We stick our necks out to connect with others only to find ourselves "rubbing our shoulders" so to speak. The fact is, building relationships with others produces pain in our lives from time to time. Some of those wounds are simple surface wounds, while others are deep wounds that take years or maybe a lifetime to heal. So, what do we do, quit and withdraw from others? Some do, but that is truly a tragedy. We were never met to live life alone. God created us to live in fellowship with one another. What happens when we withdraw and isolate ourselves is we eliminate our ability to feel the true spirit of family that God desires for us to experience. Sure, its not perfect because it involves people, but it beats isolation hands down. Of course, opening yourself up to others is risky, but isn't everything else in life. Trust me the payoff is worth it.
So, go for it, but get ready cause this thing kicks quite a bit. Believe me though, you'll find yourself rubbing your wound afterward, only to want another shot. Man, life is a blast!!!
What's so crazy about the whole thing, and I'm sure you men can relate, after the first shot I had to do it again. Knowing full well that this thing was going to flat hurt, I just had to do it one more time. Now, if it was just me out there, I would be inclined to think that I was just a bit on the weird side. But, I wasn't alone. I was out there with a buddy of mine and both of us were commenting on how much it hurt but we just had to shoot the shotgun again. I would understand it a little better perhaps if we were shooting at some food to bring home to the family, but we weren't shooting at anything but an old structure and some glass. No real pay off or reward for our pain. Just the satisfaction that we were making lots of noise, destroying something, and handling a gun with lots of power. That's it. Plain and simple. And for that simple pleasure, we figured it was worth the pain. So we just kept shooting. Laughing and rubbing our shoulders after each shot.
Ok, so we men are a little peculiar like that, but really life is not all that different for all of us. Life produces bumps and bruises along the way. We stick our necks out to connect with others only to find ourselves "rubbing our shoulders" so to speak. The fact is, building relationships with others produces pain in our lives from time to time. Some of those wounds are simple surface wounds, while others are deep wounds that take years or maybe a lifetime to heal. So, what do we do, quit and withdraw from others? Some do, but that is truly a tragedy. We were never met to live life alone. God created us to live in fellowship with one another. What happens when we withdraw and isolate ourselves is we eliminate our ability to feel the true spirit of family that God desires for us to experience. Sure, its not perfect because it involves people, but it beats isolation hands down. Of course, opening yourself up to others is risky, but isn't everything else in life. Trust me the payoff is worth it.
So, go for it, but get ready cause this thing kicks quite a bit. Believe me though, you'll find yourself rubbing your wound afterward, only to want another shot. Man, life is a blast!!!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Can Somebody Slow This Thing Down?
Have you ever been a passenger in a car and the driver was driving way to fast for your comfort zone? I'm not talking 10 or 15 mph over the speed limit. I'm talking "way" too fast! To the point where you are thinking if we hit a bump in this road we are toast. I must admit in my younger days, I was in that passenger seat a few times. The whole time I'm praying for God to save me and hoping this crazed lunatic driver comes to his senses before we, or at least I meet Jesus face to face. It's a helpless kind of feeling. You really have no control and you are at the mercy of the guy driving.
Have you ever felt that way when it comes to life? Life is coming at you at what seems a million miles an hour, from a million different directions. If your life is anything like mine, I know you can relate. We're hit by the unexpected time and time again, and we just want someone to slow this thing down. At times, we feel swept away by it all and totally out of control. We feel like we have no control and find ourselves at the mercy of the one driving this thing we call life.
That's really it isn't it? We're not in control. We can't control everything and that puts us in a tough position sometimes. It puts us in a position where we have to trust God. It requires us to rely on him and not our ability. Let's face it, that can be extremely uncomfortable for us. I feel like I live here about 99% of the time.
For example, just about 7 weeks before my wife and I got married, we both got laid off from our jobs. Great wedding gift, huh? I had worked in ministry for several years receiving a pretty small salary which was no big deal since I was a single guy. Of course, with that type of salary, its not like you are able to have some nest egg put away for difficult times like this. The truth is there was no savings account, not much in my checking account, and I'm out of a job just weeks before I take Lori to be my wife. Can you say uncomfortable? Or better yet, panic stricken?
Prior to our unemployment, Lori and I had discussed the issue of where we would live once we got married. We had pretty much decided we wanted a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment or small home to lease. I remember after we were laid-off, I told Lori that the only way we would ever get that 2 bedroom 2 bath place was if someone gave it to us. Funny thing, that's exactly what happened. Within just a few days, Lori had landed a job with an apartment complex that provided us with a place for free. I remember going with Lori to inquire about the job. When we went there we were certain that the apartment that we would get would be the small 1 bedroom plan. I will never forget our reaction when the lady showing us the apartments said that all the plans at this complex were 2 bedroom 2 bath. I know God's got a since a humor, because I think I almost heard an audible chuckle from him that day.
Here's the point, we were thrown into an unexpected whirlwind and things did not go as we had planned. The truth is, Lori and I both found jobs that payed better money and we got a free apartment for a season. Our lives are full of stories like that. Time and time again, God has proven that he knows what he's doing. He has never left us in a bind. Truth is, he's always gotten us out of them. I'm sure if you look back at your life, you'll find the same kind of thing. God just doing his God stuff and proving over and over that he can be trusted.
So what's all the fuss about? Let's just trust that God's on his throne and everything is gonna be alright. So, sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Have you ever felt that way when it comes to life? Life is coming at you at what seems a million miles an hour, from a million different directions. If your life is anything like mine, I know you can relate. We're hit by the unexpected time and time again, and we just want someone to slow this thing down. At times, we feel swept away by it all and totally out of control. We feel like we have no control and find ourselves at the mercy of the one driving this thing we call life.
That's really it isn't it? We're not in control. We can't control everything and that puts us in a tough position sometimes. It puts us in a position where we have to trust God. It requires us to rely on him and not our ability. Let's face it, that can be extremely uncomfortable for us. I feel like I live here about 99% of the time.
For example, just about 7 weeks before my wife and I got married, we both got laid off from our jobs. Great wedding gift, huh? I had worked in ministry for several years receiving a pretty small salary which was no big deal since I was a single guy. Of course, with that type of salary, its not like you are able to have some nest egg put away for difficult times like this. The truth is there was no savings account, not much in my checking account, and I'm out of a job just weeks before I take Lori to be my wife. Can you say uncomfortable? Or better yet, panic stricken?
Prior to our unemployment, Lori and I had discussed the issue of where we would live once we got married. We had pretty much decided we wanted a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment or small home to lease. I remember after we were laid-off, I told Lori that the only way we would ever get that 2 bedroom 2 bath place was if someone gave it to us. Funny thing, that's exactly what happened. Within just a few days, Lori had landed a job with an apartment complex that provided us with a place for free. I remember going with Lori to inquire about the job. When we went there we were certain that the apartment that we would get would be the small 1 bedroom plan. I will never forget our reaction when the lady showing us the apartments said that all the plans at this complex were 2 bedroom 2 bath. I know God's got a since a humor, because I think I almost heard an audible chuckle from him that day.
Here's the point, we were thrown into an unexpected whirlwind and things did not go as we had planned. The truth is, Lori and I both found jobs that payed better money and we got a free apartment for a season. Our lives are full of stories like that. Time and time again, God has proven that he knows what he's doing. He has never left us in a bind. Truth is, he's always gotten us out of them. I'm sure if you look back at your life, you'll find the same kind of thing. God just doing his God stuff and proving over and over that he can be trusted.
So what's all the fuss about? Let's just trust that God's on his throne and everything is gonna be alright. So, sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride!
What Brings You Life?
If I was asked to make a list of my most favorite things to do, lawn maintenance would not be anywhere on that list. Mowing is not something I jump out of bed in morning excited to do. Actually, I usually put it off as long as I possibly can. I'm not sure, why I dislike it so much, it's not like it's really hard work. You just push a mower around the lawn a few times, and then spend a few minutes with a weed-eater and that's about it. It doesn't take a lot of skill or brain power, but, for whatever reason, I just don't get a kick out of it. That being said, I found myself this past week really getting into it. I would even go so far as to say, I found joy in it. Wait a minute, did I really just say that? Its true though, I found myself mowing more this week, and finding pleasure in doing so.
What's my secret? Did I get a riding lawnmower? Not hardly. I actually just mowed for someone else. I mowed a couple of yards this week in an effort to help out a few people who needed a hand. In doing so, I truly found enjoyment. Now, you and I both know that I didn't all of a sudden take a liking to something that I normally don't like at all. The truth is that in doing something for someone else, we find life for ourselves. Its in those moments, when we lay our life down and live our life for someone else that we truly find fulfillment in living. Jesus said it like this, "whoever saves his life will lose it and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it." We've probably all had moments when we've found joy and fulfillment doing something for someone else. Times when we have stepped out of ourselves and found this powerful statement by Jesus to be so true. Why is it then that we so quickly go right back to living our lives for ourselves? I mean if we find this kingdom living to be so fulfilling, what is it in us that causes us to revert back to a way of life that is not fulfilling at all? I don't know about you, but I want to strive for that life that fulfills. That life that Jesus talks about. That life that he modeled. Of course I know its a journey and we don't arrive overnight, but hopefully tomorrow we'll be a little further down the road than we are today.
Oh yeah, and if you're wondering, no I'm not coming over to mow your yard this week.
What's my secret? Did I get a riding lawnmower? Not hardly. I actually just mowed for someone else. I mowed a couple of yards this week in an effort to help out a few people who needed a hand. In doing so, I truly found enjoyment. Now, you and I both know that I didn't all of a sudden take a liking to something that I normally don't like at all. The truth is that in doing something for someone else, we find life for ourselves. Its in those moments, when we lay our life down and live our life for someone else that we truly find fulfillment in living. Jesus said it like this, "whoever saves his life will lose it and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it." We've probably all had moments when we've found joy and fulfillment doing something for someone else. Times when we have stepped out of ourselves and found this powerful statement by Jesus to be so true. Why is it then that we so quickly go right back to living our lives for ourselves? I mean if we find this kingdom living to be so fulfilling, what is it in us that causes us to revert back to a way of life that is not fulfilling at all? I don't know about you, but I want to strive for that life that fulfills. That life that Jesus talks about. That life that he modeled. Of course I know its a journey and we don't arrive overnight, but hopefully tomorrow we'll be a little further down the road than we are today.
Oh yeah, and if you're wondering, no I'm not coming over to mow your yard this week.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
I Think I Caught Of Glimpse Of Jesus The Other Day
Have you ever wondered what Jesus looks like? Sure, we've all seen those pictures of him with the long hair, full beard, and the long robe, but wouldn't it be great to see him for real? I'm talking up close and personal. Face to face. One on one. Believe it or not, I think I did. Incidentally, he didn't look anything like the pictures.
My wife and were in the process of putting our house on the market. Our house is relatively new, so there's not a lot of work to be done, but there's a few things that need to be taken care of. However, that list of things began to grow as one thing after another began going wrong. One thing in particular that went belly-up was our garage door opener. I come home one afternoon, push the button to open the door, pull the car in the garage, and then push the button to close it, and nothing happens. Just like that, no more garage door opener. Now, I'm not the greatest fix-it man in the world, but I am capable of trouble shooting things and narrowing down the possibilities of what could be wrong. In this instance after working on the thing for several days, my non-expert diagnosis was that I needed to call in a professional.
There happens to be a guy at my church that installs garage doors so I gave him a call. He takes a look at it and tries to fix it, but determines I need a new one. Not exactly the news I wanted to hear. Did I mention that our car had just been in the shop as well? The expenses had begun to add up and the thought of an additional bill for a new garage door with installation wasn't exactly making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
A few days later, the guy shows back up at my house with a new garage door and installs it for me. My cost? Zero, nada, nothing, zip!!!! It seems my garage door guy called a few people and together they took care of it for me. I have to admit, that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
I recently read a quote made by a 4th century Greek writer named Lucian, who by the way, opposed the early church. "“It is incredible,” says Lucian, “to see the ardor with which the people of that religion help each other in their wants. They spare nothing. Their first legislator has put into their heads that they are all brethren.” What a testimony! When the world can say that kind of thing about the church of today, then I think we will find that we are on the right track.
I really believe our mission in life should be nothing less than being Jesus with skin on. We so often pray for God to show up and do something, but I think we are really missing it. We fail to realize that God is waiting on us to show up and do something. He just needs some skin to put on and he'll do some powerful things. He just needs someone's hands and feet to work through and someone's heart to love through.
Anyways, I'm pretty sure I saw Jesus the other day. By the way, he has brownish blond hair and drives a white truck that has parts to garage door openers in the back.
My wife and were in the process of putting our house on the market. Our house is relatively new, so there's not a lot of work to be done, but there's a few things that need to be taken care of. However, that list of things began to grow as one thing after another began going wrong. One thing in particular that went belly-up was our garage door opener. I come home one afternoon, push the button to open the door, pull the car in the garage, and then push the button to close it, and nothing happens. Just like that, no more garage door opener. Now, I'm not the greatest fix-it man in the world, but I am capable of trouble shooting things and narrowing down the possibilities of what could be wrong. In this instance after working on the thing for several days, my non-expert diagnosis was that I needed to call in a professional.
There happens to be a guy at my church that installs garage doors so I gave him a call. He takes a look at it and tries to fix it, but determines I need a new one. Not exactly the news I wanted to hear. Did I mention that our car had just been in the shop as well? The expenses had begun to add up and the thought of an additional bill for a new garage door with installation wasn't exactly making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
A few days later, the guy shows back up at my house with a new garage door and installs it for me. My cost? Zero, nada, nothing, zip!!!! It seems my garage door guy called a few people and together they took care of it for me. I have to admit, that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
I recently read a quote made by a 4th century Greek writer named Lucian, who by the way, opposed the early church. "“It is incredible,” says Lucian, “to see the ardor with which the people of that religion help each other in their wants. They spare nothing. Their first legislator has put into their heads that they are all brethren.” What a testimony! When the world can say that kind of thing about the church of today, then I think we will find that we are on the right track.
I really believe our mission in life should be nothing less than being Jesus with skin on. We so often pray for God to show up and do something, but I think we are really missing it. We fail to realize that God is waiting on us to show up and do something. He just needs some skin to put on and he'll do some powerful things. He just needs someone's hands and feet to work through and someone's heart to love through.
Anyways, I'm pretty sure I saw Jesus the other day. By the way, he has brownish blond hair and drives a white truck that has parts to garage door openers in the back.
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