Thursday, November 30, 2006
Stronger
I am working on some talks I am giving at an upcoming retreat and find myself stuck. I usually have to simmer on thoughts before I present them to people (I just want them to be clear). But I can't seem to get through this one idea that keeps popping up.
Are we stronger if we come together as ONE for a common purpose OR are we stronger and more effective if we come together as ONE for Jesus? (In other words, does the PURPOSE of being ONE matter?)
The answer to this question is haunting me right now. It seems we have become really good at coming up with purposes or reasons for what we do as churches, youth groups, families, etc. But are we just going in circles if that REASON or PURPOSE is not centered on Jesus? Naturally you would say yes. But we sure don't act like we mean it when push comes to shove. I guess what I am saying is that I believe that if Jesus is your center purpose, what other purposes do you need? Sure you may need to work on methods of doing things; but if we are truly trying to follow the ONE that we are called/destined to follow, then everything else just works out right? WRONG!! That is the wrong way to think because not everyone is following the same guidelines--especially when it comes to following Christ. If someone claims to follow Christ, then their center should be Jesus. If someone does not claim to follow Christ, their center is not Jesus--its whatever else it is. I guess the real problem comes in when those that claim to follow Christ (by word) actually don't follow Christ (by action). That is when things get messy in churches, youth groups, families, schools, work, etc. It seems that when we are (what Jesus would call) luke warm, we can not possibly be ONE. We can't be ONE if we are not ONE with Him in word and action. So really we can't be ONE with each other. Anyway, just a thought I am wrestling with.
Are we stronger if we come together as ONE for a common purpose OR are we stronger and more effective if we come together as ONE for Jesus? (In other words, does the PURPOSE of being ONE matter?)
The answer to this question is haunting me right now. It seems we have become really good at coming up with purposes or reasons for what we do as churches, youth groups, families, etc. But are we just going in circles if that REASON or PURPOSE is not centered on Jesus? Naturally you would say yes. But we sure don't act like we mean it when push comes to shove. I guess what I am saying is that I believe that if Jesus is your center purpose, what other purposes do you need? Sure you may need to work on methods of doing things; but if we are truly trying to follow the ONE that we are called/destined to follow, then everything else just works out right? WRONG!! That is the wrong way to think because not everyone is following the same guidelines--especially when it comes to following Christ. If someone claims to follow Christ, then their center should be Jesus. If someone does not claim to follow Christ, their center is not Jesus--its whatever else it is. I guess the real problem comes in when those that claim to follow Christ (by word) actually don't follow Christ (by action). That is when things get messy in churches, youth groups, families, schools, work, etc. It seems that when we are (what Jesus would call) luke warm, we can not possibly be ONE. We can't be ONE if we are not ONE with Him in word and action. So really we can't be ONE with each other. Anyway, just a thought I am wrestling with.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Back in Action
Hey there folks. I am back. I have some things to say and will be doing so a bit more regularly. If you havine't checked in for some time, keep checking in. I would like to start by saying that life is funny. It does not always make sense. Things don't go like you think it should. The future is unpredictable and sometimes you just don't need to know what is coming next. This life is more about the marathon than the a 200 meter sprint. And just when you think you have things figured out, it changes. Yet, through all the side roads, main road, and back roads there is ONE that remains very preent. You may not see Him, feel Him, know Him. You may not like Him, love Him, or need Him. You may feel far, near, or apathetic about Him. But He loves you. He stays with you. He knows your name. He knows your heart. He knows your needs (epecially when you have no idea what your needs are). To quote one of my favorite bands (David Crowder Band):
Here is our King
Here is our Love
Here is our God who's come to bring us back to him
He is the ONE,
He is Jesus
Here is our King
Here is our Love
Here is our God who's come to bring us back to him
He is the ONE,
He is Jesus
